Flexible packaging materials: Geopolitical tensions drive significant raw material price increases in the second quarter of 2026
Markets for flexible packaging materials recorded substantial price increases during the second quarter of 2026. According to the FPE Raw Material Price Index, quarterly minimum prices rose significantly across all substrates compared with the previous quarter.
Rising raw material costs and geopolitical tensions impact the markets for flexible packaging materials
Prices for flexible packaging materials increased almost across the board in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the previous quarter.
Flexible packaging materials: Price adjustments continue in the fourth quarter of 2025
The markets for flexible packaging materials recorded further price adjustments in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Flexible packaging materials: minor price declines in Q3 of 2025
The markets for flexible packaging materials recorded some minor price decreases across the substrates in the third quarter of 2025. Aluminium foil (7 micron) showed particularly pronounced reductions, alongside BOPA, BOPP and BOPET films. While one-side coated paper (60 g/m²) remained stable, HDPE and LDPE continued the weaker trends seen during the first half of the year.
Flexible Packaging Materials: Price Trends Remain Volatile in Q2 2025
While prices for one-side coated paper (60 g/m²) increased by 2% compared to Q1 2025, confirming the upward trend, other materials experienced slight price declines: aluminium foil (7 micron) fell by 4%, BOPA film (15 micron) by 1%, and PET film (12 micron) by 2% compared to the previous quarter.
Flexible packaging material markets see price volatility continuing into Q1 2025
The mixed bag of price fluctuations seen at the end of 2024 continued into the first three months of 2025. Polyethylene led the way in price increases as both HDPE and LDPE price increased by 3% and 4% respectively vs. Q4 2024, taking them to levels not seen since early 2023.