The global market for packaging robots is projected to expand significantly, increasing from US$ 3,945.43 million in 2021 to US$ 8,448.21 million by 2028. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.49% during the period from 2021 to 2028.
Packaging plays a vital role in manufacturing, particularly in sectors that cater to consumer goods. The integration of robotic systems into packaging processes enhances flexibility and boosts the overall productivity of packaging lines. Moreover, packaging robots are capable of operating in diverse temperature conditions and occupy significantly less floor space compared to human workers. The rising demand for a variety of products compels companies to enhance production efficiency and adopt superior operational management strategies. By implementing robotic automation in packaging facilities, businesses can achieve improved overall equipment efficiency (OEE), which is essential for sustainable production performance.
Robotic systems in packaging lines enhance the speed and efficiency of product selection, packing, and palletizing, minimizing the need for manual dexterity. The surge in demand for packaging robots has led to substantial investments in the robotics sector. Surveys indicate that the need for robots has been driven by investments aimed at expanding production capabilities and modernizing industrial facilities. Factors such as the advancement of energy-efficient packaging solutions and intense competition across major manufacturing sectors have facilitated global investments in packaging robot technology.
The packaging robots market is categorized based on industry verticals, applications, and geographical regions. In terms of industry verticals, the market is divided into segments including food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, consumer electronics, and others. The food & beverages sector held the largest market share in 2020. Regarding applications, the market is segmented into primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging, with the primary packaging segment accounting for a significant portion of the market in 2020. Geographically, the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South America (SAM), with Asia Pacific representing a substantial share of the global market in 2020.
The Middle East & Africa region features several economies that are still in the early stages of technological adoption and development. The growth outlook for this region remains neutral and is contingent upon the effectiveness of government and private sector initiatives and investments. Key countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Morocco, and Kuwait are experiencing economic challenges due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The financial repercussions of the pandemic may hinder their progress and lead to long-term economic instability.
In South America, Brazil reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases, followed by Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Argentina in 2020. To mitigate the virus's spread, many economic activities were temporarily suspended. The pandemic had a significant negative effect on the sales of automation solutions, including robotics, in the region. However, long-term demand is expected to grow as governments prioritize the adoption of automation technologies, focusing on innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, deep learning, 3D printing, and machine vision. These developments are anticipated to foster a favorable environment for the growth of the packaging robots market in the Middle East & Africa over the next three to four years.
The overall size of the packaging robots market has been determined through a combination of primary and secondary research methods. The research process began with extensive secondary research utilizing both internal and external sources to gather qualitative and quantitative data related to the market. This approach also aimed to provide an overview and forecast of the packaging robots market across all segments. Additionally, primary interviews were conducted with industry participants and experts to validate the data and gain deeper analytical insights. Participants included industry professionals such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, as well as external consultants like valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders specializing in the packaging robots sector.
Several prominent players in the global packaging robots market include ABB, Brenton, LLC, Fanuc Corporation, Krones AG, Kuka AG, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Remtec Automation, LLC, Syntegon Technology GmbH (part of Bosch Packaging Technology), Schneider Electric SE, and Yaskawa Electric Corporation.