Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Volume (2025) | 127.92 Million tons |
| Market Volume (2030) | 151.63 Million tons |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 3.28% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Middle East and Africa |
| Largest Market | Europe |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players.webp)
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
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Glass Packaging Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The glass packaging market size stands at 127.92 million tons in 2025 and is forecast to reach 151.63 million tons by 2030, advancing at a 3.28% CAGR. This steady, volume-driven growth reflects the industry’s shift toward sustainable materials, the rapid scale-up of vial production for new biologics, and continuing premiumization in beverages. Glass maintains relevance because it offers infinite recyclability, strong barrier properties, and a premium look that supports brand differentiation. Manufacturers are investing in electric furnaces, higher cullet content, and lightweight bottle designs to cut emissions and reduce total material use. At the same time, mid-size containers between 500 ml and 1 l are winning share thanks to the rise of family packs and bulk purchasing through e-commerce channels.
Key Report Takeaways
- By product type, bottles and jars led with 65.12% revenue share in 2024, while vials and ampoules are projected to expand at a 6.41% CAGR through 2030.
- By end-use industry, beverages held 54.65% of glass packaging market share in 2024; pharmaceuticals record the highest projected CAGR at 7.25% through 2030.
- By color, flint led with 45.44% revenue share in 2024, while green is projected to expand at a 5.33% CAGR through 2030.
- By capacity, the 500-1000 ml range captured 36.43% share of the glass packaging market size in 2024 and is advancing at a 6.65% CAGR through 2030.
- By geography, Europe accounted for 38.12% of global volume in 2024, while the Middle East and Africa region is forecast to post the fastest growth at 7.82% CAGR to 2030.
Global Glass Packaging Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craft beer and premium spirits surge | +0.8% | North America, Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| mRNA and vector-vaccine rollout boosting pharma glass vials | +1.2% | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Increasing demand from cosmetics industry for premium packaging | +0.6% | Europe, North America | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| RTD coffee and functional drinks uptake in Asia | +0.7% | Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Multifaceted advantages of container glass | +0.5% | Global | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
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Craft Beer and Premium Spirits Surge Fueling Glass Bottle Demand
Rising craft breweries and new distilleries are fueling incremental glass bottle orders. Ardagh Group broadened its premium spirits portfolio in 2024 to meet this appetite. [1]Ardagh Group, “Ardagh Expands Premium Spirits Portfolio,” ardaghgroup.com The UK spirits market reached GBP 16.8 billion in 2024 with more than 50 additional distilleries, demonstrating how premium positioning drives glass uptake. Ready-to-drink cocktails are projected to grow 16.2% per year to 2030, favouring glass because it safeguards flavour and signals authenticity. The hyperlocal trend in spirits production also benefits small-batch glass bottle runs that showcase craft heritage. Brand owners value the material’s clarity, rigidity, and inertness when presenting super-premium liquids.
mRNA and Vector-Vaccine Rollout Boosting Pharmaceutical Glass Vials
Scaling production of new biologics drives sustained demand for Type I vials. SCHOTT Pharma committed USD 371 million to a North Carolina plant that will supply glass syringes for GLP-1 drugs and refillable polymer systems for mRNA medicines. The FDA issued updated guidance on container-closure changes in 2024, underscoring regulatory focus on vial quality. [2]FDA, “Container Closure System and Component Changes,” fda.govCorning’s Valor formulation removes boron to prevent delamination, addressing drug safety while enabling automated filling lines. These moves confirm the long-term growth runway for pharma glass packaging market solutions.
Increasing Demand from Cosmetics Industry for Premium Packaging
Beauty brands view glass as both eco-friendly and prestige enhancing. APackaging Group reported growing adoption of glass flacons among sustainable-focused labels. Verescence leverages customizable shapes and high cullet content to satisfy luxury houses. Market research shows the global fragrance sector expanded 10.2% in 2024, creating fresh opportunities for decorative glass that preserves volatile oils. Lumson’s launch of 1,500 fragrance pack combinations in its anniversary collection illustrates how design innovation keeps glass central to premium beauty strategies.
RTD Coffee and Functional Drinks Uptake in Asia Spurring Lightweight Glass Bottles
Asia-Pacific’s ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and coffee segment could reach USD 172.28 billion by 2030 at a 7.02% CAGR. Producers prefer lightweight glass bottles that combine an upscale look with full recyclability. Westrock Coffee installed advanced retort lines in Arkansas to preserve flavour in single-serve glass, highlighting quality control priorities. Young consumers in China and Southeast Asia link clear glass with natural ingredients, which in turn drives premium pricing and brand loyalty.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability of alternative solutions | -0.9% | Global | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Shortage of pharma-grade borosilicate tubing | -0.6% | Pharma hubs worldwide | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Higher carbon footprint in glass manufacturing | -0.7% | Europe, North America | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Availability of Alternative Solutions
Lightweight aluminum and emerging bio-based plastics are eating into the addressable volume of the glass packaging market, particularly in cost-sensitive beverage segments. Kopu Water highlights the superior residual value of aluminum, which supports near-100% capture rates in closed-loop channels. BlueTriton adopted aluminum bottles for Poland Spring to improve recycling economics. European policy that targets petrochemical reduction accelerates innovation in PLA and PEF, raising competitive intensity for glass.
Shortage of Pharma-Grade Borosilicate Tubing Limits Vial Supply
High-precision tubing is concentrated among a few suppliers, creating bottlenecks as biologics demand surges. SGD Pharma expanded siliconised vial capacity in 2024 to mitigate shortages. [3]Medical Plastics News, “SGD Pharma Expands Siliconised Vial Capacity,” medicalplasticsnews.com Corning and SGD Pharma established a joint venture in India for Velocity Vials, yet tight supply is expected to persist in the near term. Maintaining dimensional uniformity and meeting stringent endotoxin limits require capital-intensive processes that slow ramp-ups.
Segment Analysis
By Product Type: Pharmaceutical Vials Drive Innovation
Bottles and jars held 65.12% of 2024 volumes as they span food, beverage, and beauty sectors. Vials and ampoules posted the fastest trajectory, growing at 6.41% CAGR on the back of new cell-and-gene therapies that require inert packaging. SCHOTT Pharma generated USD 1.034 billion revenue in 2024 from syringe and vial solutions. Corning’s Valor glass eliminates delamination, improving durability in automated fill lines. The glass packaging market size for vials is projected to climb steadily as biologic pipelines mature.
Broader specialty items such as laboratory containers remain niche but stable. Automation has replaced hand-blown production, ensuring uniform wall thickness and dimensional accuracy. Gerresheimer’s acquisition of Bormioli Pharma adds the EZ-fill Smart platform to streamline ready-to-fill processing. Competitive differentiation now centres on surface coatings and smart caps that monitor adherence.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
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By End-Use Industry: Beverages Lead While Pharmaceuticals Accelerate
Beverages commanded 54.65% share in 2024 thanks to entrenched glass preferences in beer, wine, and spirits. Craft labels choose flint bottles to showcase colour and carbonation. Non-alcoholic drinks such as premium juices and dairy blends also lean on glass for flavour integrity. The glass packaging market share held by beverages is expected to persist as premium SKUs outgrow mass brands.
Pharmaceuticals represent the fastest-growing vertical at 7.25% CAGR. Production of mRNA vaccines and GLP-1 injectables will push the glass packaging market size for pharma to new highs by 2030. Cosmetics, fragrances, and personal care lines turn to glass to communicate luxury while meeting recyclability goals. Food applications maintain baseline demand, particularly for sauces and gourmet condiments that benefit from product visibility.
By Color: Flint Glass Dominates Across Applications
Flint glass accounted for 45.44% of shipments in 2024, capitalizing on transparency that lets consumers inspect fill level and purity. Amber remains standard for light-sensitive drugs and beer, whereas green is the fastest-growing colour segment at 5.33% CAGR because wineries and craft brewers link it with eco credentials. Colored cullet content supports energy savings during melting.
Blue and other custom tints satisfy luxury fragrance and gin markets where differentiation is critical. Higher recycled content does not compromise aesthetics, boosting acceptance among premium brands. Colour segmentation demonstrates how visual cues intertwine with sustainability to shape buying decisions.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
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By Capacity: Mid-Size Containers Lead Market
Containers between 500 ml and 1 l captured 36.43% of volumes in 2024 and will grow at 6.65% CAGR as families favour fewer shopping trips and larger formats. E-commerce amplifies this preference because consumers can handle heavier packs without store visits. Brands use lightweighting to keep freight costs manageable while retaining glass’s premium feel.
Small formats under 200 ml thrive in high-value perfumes, travel-size cosmetics, and injectable vials. Medium formats of 200-500 ml fit craft beer and functional drinks, meeting portion-control needs. Containers over 1 l cater to food-service sauces and institutional buyers, where glass’s inertness confers shelf-life advantages.
Geography Analysis
Europe controlled 38.12% of 2024 volume owing to a mature manufacturing base, stringent recycling targets, and entrenched wine and spirits culture. Verallia switched on the first fully electric furnace in Cognac, trimming CO₂ by 60% and demonstrating the region’s decarbonization leadership AGC Glass Europe recycled 700,000 tons of cullet during 2023, reinforcing circular-economy momentum. Stringent producer-responsibility directives tilt the regulatory field toward glass over certain plastics. Demand pulled back slightly in 2024 on softer beer volumes, yet innovation and premiumization keep value stable.
North America remains a pivotal market supported by craft beverages and biotech hubs. O-I Glass, the region’s largest producer, is reviewing a 7% capacity cut by mid-2025 to align supply with demand shifts. Investments in electrification at Veauche and Alloa plants highlight the group’s commitment to emission reductions. Regulatory incentives for recycled content and advanced manufacturing tax credits could accelerate modernization.
Asia-Pacific shows resilient growth despite temporary inventory overhangs in China. BG Container Glass posted USD 432 million revenue in 2023 and expects 4.7% CAGR through 2030. China’s flat glass makers are pivoting toward photovoltaic and automotive markets, freeing capacity for container glass once demand rebounds. Rapid urbanization, new middle-class consumers, and the RTD boom all support long-term expansion of the glass packaging market.
The Middle East and Africa is set to record the strongest 7.82% CAGR through 2030, driven by infrastructure build-out and rising packaged-goods demand. Vitro plans USD 400 million of glass investments in Egypt to meet regional growth. HORN fired up a new furnace for Frigoglass in Nigeria, proving local capability gains. Government policies encouraging domestic manufacturing reduce import reliance and build supply-chain resilience.
South America delivers steady gains from beverage staples and improving recycling systems. Producers are exploring lightweight bottles to cut logistics costs across vast geographies. Altogether, geographic dynamics highlight how sustainability frameworks, energy prices, and consumer preferences create diverse regional trajectories.
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Competitive Landscape
The glass packaging industry shows moderate fragmentation. O-I Glass, Ardagh Group, and Gerresheimer dominate high-volume production yet face rising regional challengers. O-I’s “Fit to Win” review underlines how large players must continuously optimize capacity in mature segments. Scale remains important, but customers increasingly evaluate suppliers on carbon footprint, design flexibility, and service responsiveness rather than tonnage alone.
Strategic mergers and partnerships are reshaping the field. Gerresheimer bought Bormioli Pharma to broaden containment solutions and introduce digital monitoring closures. SGD Pharma collaborates with Corning on Velocity Vials, integrating next-generation glass technology with global supply reach. Sustainability branding also drives differentiation: Verallia’s ECOVA lightweight range contains 51% cullet and appeals to beverage giants like Heineken.
Technology investments focus on decarbonization and digitalization. Ardagh Group joined CAP Glass in 2025 to boost cullet recovery, lowering furnace energy use. Saint-Gobain launched a hybrid furnace targeting a 75% emission cut, signalling how innovation is central to competitiveness. The FDA’s updated closure guidance tightens technical requirements, raising entry barriers and favouring incumbents with quality systems in place.
Glass Packaging Industry Leaders
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Piramal Glass Private Limited
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Owens-Illinois Inc.
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Gerresheimer AG
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Ardagh Group
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SGD S.A. (SGD Pharma)
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Recent Industry Developments
- May 2025: Gerresheimer showcased the Gx Cap and EZ-fill Smart platform at Pharmapack 2025 after acquiring Bormioli Pharma.
- April 2025: Ardagh Group partnered with CAP Glass to strengthen recycling infrastructure.
- March 2025: SCHOTT Pharma committed USD 371 million for a North Carolina vial and syringe facility.
- February 2025: Saint-Gobain Glass initiated a hybrid furnace aiming for 75% CO₂ reduction.
Global Glass Packaging Market Report Scope
Glass is one of the most preferred packaging materials for consumers who are concerned about their health and the environment. It is made from all-natural, sustainable raw materials. Glass packaging preserves the product's taste or flavor and maintains the integrity or healthiness of food and beverages. In addition to extending the shelf life, the high glass barrier helps prevent cross-contamination of odors and flavors between products. This is especially important for foods with unique flavors or smells. Glass packaging ensures that the tantalizing tastes and aromas of the brand's food products remain unchanged from manufacturing to consumption.
The glass packaging market is segmented by end-user industry (food, beverage, personal care, healthcare, and household care) and geography (North America [United States and Canada], Europe [United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Rest of Europe], Asia-Pacific [China, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and Rest of Asia-Pacific], Latin America [Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America], and Middle East and Africa [Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and the Rest of Middle East and Africa]. The report offers market forecasts and size in volume (units) and value (USD) for all the above segments.
By Product Type
| Bottles and Jars |
| Vials and Ampoules |
| Others Product Types |
By Color
| Flint |
| Amber |
| Green |
| Other Colors |
By Capacity
| Less than 200 ml |
| 200-500 ml |
| 500-1000 ml |
| More than 1000 ml |
By End-Use Industry
| Food | ||
| Beverage | Alcoholic Beverage | Beer |
| Wine | ||
| Spirits | ||
| Other Alcoholic Beverages (Cider and Other Fermented Drinks) | ||
| Non-Alcoholic Beverage | Carbonated Soft Drinks | |
| Juices | ||
| Dairy Product Based Drinks | ||
| Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages | ||
| Pharmaceuticals | ||
| Cosmetics and Personal Care | ||
| Other End-Use Indusry | ||
By Geography
| North America | United States | |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| Europe | Germany | |
| United Kingdom | ||
| France | ||
| Italy | ||
| Spain | ||
| Russia | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Asia-Pacific | China | |
| India | ||
| Japan | ||
| South Korea | ||
| Australia and New Zealand | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| Middle East and Africa | Middle East | United Arab Emirates |
| Saudi Arabia | ||
| Turkey | ||
| Rest of Middle East | ||
| Africa | South Africa | |
| Nigeria | ||
| Egypt | ||
| Rest of Africa | ||
| South America | Brazil | |
| Argentina | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| By Product Type | Bottles and Jars | ||
| Vials and Ampoules | |||
| Others Product Types | |||
| By Color | Flint | ||
| Amber | |||
| Green | |||
| Other Colors | |||
| By Capacity | Less than 200 ml | ||
| 200-500 ml | |||
| 500-1000 ml | |||
| More than 1000 ml | |||
| By End-Use Industry | Food | ||
| Beverage | Alcoholic Beverage | Beer | |
| Wine | |||
| Spirits | |||
| Other Alcoholic Beverages (Cider and Other Fermented Drinks) | |||
| Non-Alcoholic Beverage | Carbonated Soft Drinks | ||
| Juices | |||
| Dairy Product Based Drinks | |||
| Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages | |||
| Pharmaceuticals | |||
| Cosmetics and Personal Care | |||
| Other End-Use Indusry | |||
| By Geography | North America | United States | |
| Canada | |||
| Mexico | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| France | |||
| Italy | |||
| Spain | |||
| Russia | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia-Pacific | China | ||
| India | |||
| Japan | |||
| South Korea | |||
| Australia and New Zealand | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Middle East and Africa | Middle East | United Arab Emirates | |
| Saudi Arabia | |||
| Turkey | |||
| Rest of Middle East | |||
| Africa | South Africa | ||
| Nigeria | |||
| Egypt | |||
| Rest of Africa | |||
| South America | Brazil | ||
| Argentina | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
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Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current size of the glass packaging market?
The global market stands at 127.92 million tons in 2025 and is projected to reach 151.63 million tons by 2030.
Which end-use industry is growing fastest for glass containers?
Pharmaceuticals lead with a 7.25% CAGR to 2030, driven by biologics and mRNA vaccine production.
Why is the 500-1000 ml segment so important?
This capacity holds 36.43% of 2024 volume and grows at 6.65% CAGR because consumers prefer family-size packs for bulk buys.
How are glass makers reducing carbon emissions?
Key initiatives include electric or hybrid furnaces, higher recycled cullet use, and lightweight bottle designs that cut energy per unit.
Which region shows the highest growth potential?
The Middle East & Africa region is forecast to expand at 7.82% CAGR through 2030 thanks to infrastructure development and rising packaged-goods consumption.
What alternative materials pose the biggest threat to glass?
Lightweight aluminum bottles and bio-based polymers such as PLA and PEF are gaining traction, especially in cost-sensitive beverage categories.
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