Flexible packaging has one of the highest growth rates across all printing sectors, achieving an annual global growth of close to five percent. For the label converter looking to move into flexible packaging it is interesting to note that all the key end-use markets and the drivers of growth are virtually the same for both labels and flexibles. The label converter will often already be supplying labels to the same customers who are sourcing flexibles.
Flexible packaging buyers are certainly now looking for more cost-effective (or added-value) solutions, faster job turnarounds, versioning and variable data, just-in-time and on-demand printing, and reduced inventory costs. Something that the self-adhesive label converter has long been called upon to provide to his customers. 
This all means that with flexible packaging run lengths and pack sizes getting smaller, as well as the possibility of adding in-line value and perhaps personalization, multi-versions and variations, there are undoubted opportunities for narrow and mid web label converters (using both flexo and digital technology) to capture a growing portion of the flexibles market that is not suited to wider web CI flexo or gravure presses as they struggle to print the smaller and higher added-value print and finishing run lengths economically. 
Food and beverage 
Food and beverage flexible packaging, both retail and institutional, is said to account for a near 60 percent of all flexible packaging applications, with some market studies claiming a market share as high as 80 percent. It largely depends on exactly what a specific study includes. Does it include shrink sleeves or not? Does it include industrial applications? 
Whichever way the market is analyzed, food and beverages are by far the biggest markets for flexible packaging. Indeed, as they are for labels. They therefore provide the biggest opportunity for the narrow and mid web converter. 
Health, beauty and personal care 
The healthcare, cosmetics, toiletries and personal care markets have long provided a wealth of opportunities for the label converter. Now, they also offer the opportunity to diversify into the production of high quality sachets, pouches and packs for many different ‒ often shorter run lengths of multiple versions and variations ‒ types of flexible packaging for the whole health and personal care market that includes toiletries, hygiene, shampoo, liquid soaps, creams, lotions, gels, cosmetics products, beauty products, wipes and packs. 
Pharmaceutical, nutritional, nutraceutical, veterinary and medical 
This sector is quite diverse in its array of products, which today ranges through all kinds of pharmaceutical products and ointments to weight loss and dietary supplements, sports nutrition supplements such as protein drink mixes and shakes, pre-workout powders, energy bars, foods for special dietary needs, powdered energy or vitamin drinks, spices, effervescent tablets, capsules and powders. 
Industrial applications
With some studies showing industrial applications for flexible packaging being as high as six percent of the market, there are undoubtedly some opportunities for the label converter, especially for companies that are already supplying labels into this sector and have potential customers that would also buy stand-up pouches and bags or sachet products from them. 
Flexible packaging for industrial applications may require custom-made bag and pouch films and laminated rollstock specifically constructed to handle industrial powders, granular chemicals, lubricants, agricultural products and other such applications.