Plastic Container Market

Market Definition

The Plastic Container Market size was valued at USD 97.90 billion in 2021 and is predicted to reach USD 160.10 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.9% from 2022-2030.

Plastic containers are enclosed surfaces that are designed to hold solid and liquid products which prevent spoilage and contamination. These containers are preferred due to multiple factors including variety in sizes, lightweight, ease of use, reusability, durability, and stackability, which can be customized accordingly. In addition, plastic containers are made of different plastic resins that are identified by numbers ranging from 1 – 7. Containers with resin identification numbers 1, 2, and 4 are safer for use and easily recyclable. These containers are widely used across various sectors including healthcare, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), e-commerce, and others.

Market Dynamics and Trends

Increasing demand for phthalate-free plastic containers that include polymers such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene terephthalate, which enables shorter recycling times, and faster crystallization is driving the growth of the plastic container market. For instance, in February 2021, Toppan launched ultra-thin-walled plastic containers using a combination of supercritical fluid and molding technology. This technology ensured 30% thinner walls of plastic containers than conventional plastic containers along with lower carbon emissions involved in the manufacture of plastic containers.

Moreover, the rising use of rigid plastic containers in food and beverage packaging owing to its durability and lightweight features that lead to the longer shelf life of food and prevent it from moisture and chemicals are factors that are augmenting the demand for plastic containers market. Additionally, the usage of plastic containers in the pharmaceutical industry has substantially increased as these are cost-effective, leakage and corrosion resistant, lightweight coupled and chemically inert which ensures longer shelf-life of the drugs.

However, the presence of toxic chemicals in plastic containers such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalate that cause hormonal issues, infertility, hypertension, and cancers are factors that are expected to restrain the growth of the market during the forecast period. On the contrary, growing demand for bioplastic containers that are made of organic components such as pulp, vegetable leftovers owing to its quick decomposition is expected to create ample growth opportunities for the market in the coming years.

For instance, in July 2021, Faca launched a range of sustainable products such as jars, and bottles made of sugarcane polymer that ensures low carbon emissions and full recyclability. The sugarcane polymer used in manufacture of plastic containers is an alternative to fossil fuel based oils used in production of plastic packagings, which ensures greater sustainability.

Market Segmentation and Scope of Study

The plastic container market is segmented on the basis of material, product, and end user. On the basis of material, the market is classified into polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). On the basis of product , the market is categorized into bottles & jars, cups & bowls, bags & pouches, and others. On the basis of end-user, the market is bifurcated into food & beverages, pharmaceuticals & cosmetics, personal care, and others. Geographical breakdown and analysis of each of the aforesaid segments includes regions comprising of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW.

Geographical Analysis

The Asia Pacific region holds the lion share in plastics containers at present and is expected to further expand the market size during the forecasted period. This is attributed to the growing beverage industry, which leads to an increase in the demand for plastic bottles for water and carbonated drinks. In addition, the presence of major players in this region such as Ngoc Nghia JSC, Visy, Amcor, and others boost the market growth in this region.

For instance, in April 2022, Ngoc Nghia Co. acquired by Indorama Ventures Ltd. (IVL) to expand PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic packaging business, the largest bottle-to-bottle recycling facility in Vietnam. This acquisition augmented the recycled plastic containers business of food and beverages industries in Vietnam with the rising consumer spending on carbonated beverages and packed food items in this region.

On the other hand, North America is expected to show a steady rise in the plastic containers market with the U.S. being the leading contributor to the growing food and pharmaceuticals industry. The presence of major players in this region such as Alpha Packaging, Berry Global, Custom Pak, and Nexeo Plastics among others boosts the market growth in this region.

For instance, in April 2021, Alpha Packaging announced the expansion in European markets with the acquisition of Boxmore Plastics to enhance the brand portfolio. This expansion will enable the use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) technology in the manufacture of plastic containers used in beverage and healthcare in Ireland. Furthermore, the rising demand for bio compounds in plastic packaging manufacturing is augmenting the market in this region.

For instance, in March 2022, Nexeo Plastics announced agreement with Earth Renewable Technologies, Inc. (ERT), a biotechnology company, to distribute ERT’s BioCompounds in Canada and the United States. These compounds involve the use of plant-based materials as an alternative to petroleum-based packaging materials. This acquisition offered customers access to a wide variety of portfolio in plastic containers through new technologies and resources.

Competitive Landscape

Various market players operating in the plastic containers market include Amcor plc, Alpha Packaging, Plastipak Holdings, Inc., Graham Packaging, Huhtamäki Oyj, Bemis Manufacturing Company, CKS Packaging, China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd., Anchor Packaging LLC, ALPLA Group. These market players are completing acquisitions and developing new manufacturing technologies to maintain their dominance in the plastic container market.

For instance, in May 2022, Amcor launched PowerPost technology for manufacturing lighter and sustainable bottle especially for hot-filled beverages. This technology uses 100% recyclable materials that maintain the sustainability criteria and deliver plastic bottles one-third lighter and with 30% energy reduction and 30% carbon savings along with the additional benefit of  lightweight packaging, sustainable enabling better customer experience.

Moreover, in December 2021, Comar announced an acquisition of Omega Packaging for plastic containers business in healthcare sector. This acquisition provided an enhanced range of innovative products such as child-resistant (CR) closures, continuous thread (CT) closures, single, thick, and double-wall jars. This venture expanded the product portfolio of Comar across various industry verticals such as healthcare, personal care, and food and beverage. This acquisition allowed Comar to strengthen its influence in the European market for the sale of plastic containers in various industry verticals.

Key Benefits

• The plastic containers market report provides the quantitative analysis of the current market and estimations from 2022 to 2030. This analysis assists in identifying the prevailing market opportunities to capitalize on.

• The study comprises of a detailed analysis of the plastic containers market  trends including the current and future trends for depicting the prevalent investment pockets in the market.

• The information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities and their impact on the plastic containers market is provided in the report.

• The competitive analysis of the market players along with their market share in the plastic containers market is mentioned.

• The SWOT analysis and Porter’s Five Forces model are elaborated in the study.

• The value chain analysis in the market study provides a clear picture of the stakeholders’ roles.

Key Market Segments

By Material

• Polythylene Terephthalate (PET)

• Polypropylene (PP)

• High-density Polyethylene (HDPE)

• Low density Polyethylene (LDPE)

• Others

By Product Type

• Bottles & Jars

• Cups & Bowls

• Bags & Pouches

• Others

By End-User 

• Food & Beverages

• Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics

• Personal Care

• Others

By Geography

• North America

  • U.S.

  • Canada

  • Mexico

• Europe

  • UK

  • Italy

  • Germany

  • Spain

  • Netherlands

  • Rest of Europe

• Asia-Pacific

  • China

  • Japan

  • India

  • Australia

  • South Korea

  • Taiwan

  • Vietnam

  • Rest of Asia Pacific

• RoW

  • Latin America

  • Middle East 

  • Africa

REPORT SCOPE AND SEGMENTATION:

Parameters	Details
Analysis Period	2021–2030
Base Year Considered	2021
Forecast Period	2022–2030
Market Size Estimation	Billion (USD)
Market Segmentation	By Material (Polythylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), High-density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low density Polyethylene (LDPE), Others) By Product Type (Bottles & Jars, Cups & Bowls, Bags & Pouches, Others) By End- User (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics, Personal Care, Others)
Geographical Segmentation	North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) Europe (Germany, UK, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of the World (Latin America, Middle East, Africa)
Companies Profil	Alpha Packaging, Berry Global, CKS Packaging, Custom -Pak, Loews Corporation, Amcor Ltd., Essel Propack Ltd., Comar, Graham Packaging, Seleno Plastic

Key Market Players:

• Amcor plc

• Alpha Packaging

• Plastipak Holdings, Inc. 

• Graham Packaging

• Huhtamäki Oyj

• Bemis Manufacturing Company

• CKS Packaging

• China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd.

• Anchor Packaging LLC

• ALPLA Group