Industrial Packaging Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025) | USD 70.99 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 90.72 Billion |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 5.03% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Middle East and Africa |
| Largest Market | Asia-Pacific |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
|
Industrial Packaging Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The industrial packaging market size reached USD 70.99 billion in 2025 and is forecast to climb to USD 90.72 billion by 2030, translating into a 5.03% CAGR for the review period. Demand resilience reflects the rise of e-commerce fulfillment, accelerating on-site packaging automation, and stricter regulatory frameworks that shape material choices and operational priorities across manufacturing sectors. E-commerce logistics require protective formats that survive multi-node shipping while keeping dimensional weight low, and automation investments help producers curb labor dependence amid tight labor markets. Asia-Pacific commanded 40.45% of 2024 revenue, supported by dense export-oriented manufacturing, while the Middle East and Africa are advancing the fastest at 6.34% CAGR to 2030 on the back of energy, infrastructure, and food processing investment pipelines.
Key Report Takeaways
- By product, drums led with 35.53% of the industrial packaging market share in 2024, while intermediate bulk containers are set to expand at a 7.11% CAGR through 2030.
- By material, plastics retained 46.44% share in 2024; paper and fiber-based formats will record the fastest 6.75% CAGR.
- By end-user, chemicals and pharmaceuticals held 29.43% of 2024 spending; food and beverage applications are poised for a 5.89% CAGR to 2030.
- By capacity, the 51–500 L range captured 38.42% of the industrial packaging market size in 2024, and the 501–1,000 L class will register the swiftest 5.44% CAGR.
- By geography, Asia-Pacific accounted for 40.45% of 2024 revenue; the Middle East and Africa are projected to post the steepest 6.34% CAGR through 2030.
Global Industrial Packaging Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergence of sustainable and recyclable materials | +1.2% | Global, with early adoption in EU and North America | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Expansion of e-commerce and cross-border trade flows | +0.9% | Global, concentrated in Asia-Pacific and North America | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Growth in food-grade and pharma bulk logistics | +0.7% | North America and EU, expanding to Asia-Pacific | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| On-site packaging automation adoption | +0.6% | Developed markets, spill-over to emerging economies | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Reusable packaging pool business models | +0.4% | Global, led by CHEP/Brambles network expansion | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Hydrogen-supply chain demand for composite IBCs | +0.3% | EU and North America, early-stage Asia-Pacific adoption | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Emergence of Sustainable and Recyclable Materials
Industrial buyers are making recycled-content mandates and corporate sustainability targets a central procurement criterion. The European Union requires 30% recycled content in plastic formats by 2030, compelling converters to overhaul feedstock sourcing. Cellulose-based composites deliver strength and moisture resistance suitable for food and pharma usage and meet ISO 14855 biodegradability thresholds. Pfizer’s internal switch to recyclable formats cut packaging waste 25% yet complied with FDA 21 CFR 211 sterility rules. Producers hedge resin volatility by investing in bio-based coatings that replace PFAS while complying with emerging bans. As R&D scales, early adopters gain cost and compliance advantages that enhance customer retention.
Expansion of E-commerce and Cross-Border Trade Flows
E-commerce revenue in the United States hit USD 1.14 trillion in 2024, or 16.4% of retail sales. Multihandled parcels need cushioning and dimensional-weight efficient designs. Facilities shipping more than 2,000 orders per day are increasingly deploying robotics able to pack with 99.5% accuracy and cut labor costs by 40%. Tesla demonstrated an 18% materials drop after installing adaptive packaging systems. Regulatory complexity in pharmaceuticals pushes shippers toward standardized global formats that meet ICH labeling protocols across markets.
Growth in Food-Grade and Pharma Bulk Logistics
FDA enforcement extracted USD 2.3 billion in penalties in 2024 for packaging non-compliance, steering customers to vendors with proven track records. Pharmaceutical firms scale up bulk intermediates, creating demand for larger USP-compliant containers. Nestlé reduced contamination 35% through FDA-compliant bulk systems. Cold-chain expansion needs containers that hold ±2 °C, and fiber-reinforced plastics deliver equivalent barrier strength at 30% lower cost than metals.
On-Site Packaging Automation Adoption
Global installations of 553,052 industrial robots in 2024 included 12% for packaging roles. [1]International Federation of Robotics, “World Robotics 2024 Industrial Robots Report,” ifr.org Plants report 25-30% productivity gains and 15% waste cuts. BASF lines reached 99.8% fill accuracy while reducing worker exposure to hazards by 90%. Machine-learning-enabled predictive maintenance lowers unplanned downtime by 40%, and adaptive fill systems trim resin use up to 12%.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volatile resin and steel prices | -0.8% | Global, with acute impact in price-sensitive markets | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Tightening global environmental regulations | -0.5% | EU and North America leading, cascading globally | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| PFAS / micro-plastic bans on barrier coatings | -0.4% | Developed markets, expanding to emerging economies | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Near-shoring lowering long-haul packaging volumes | -0.3% | Global trade routes, concentrated in Asia-Pacific exports | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Volatile Resin and Steel Prices
Steel ranged from USD 650–850 / t in 2024, squeezing drum makers under long-term contracts. [2] London Metal Exchange, “Steel Price Dashboard 2024,” lme.comPolyethylene and polypropylene fluctuated 15–20%, with producers absorbing hits because raw inputs form 60-70% of cost. Dow’s suppliers suffered 12% margin erosion. Flexible pricing and shorter contracts proliferate, yet renegotiations rose 25% over pre-2024 levels, straining relationships.
PFAS / Micro-Plastic Bans on Barrier Coatings
EFSA capped PFAS intake at 4.4 ng / kg body weight in 2024. [3]European Food Safety Authority, “PFAS Risk Re-evaluation 2024,” efsa.europa.eu California’s AB 1200 requires PFAS disclosure by 2025, adding USD 50,000–200,000 per SKU in compliance cost. General Mills spent USD 45 million to transition to silicon-oxide plasma coatings that lift oxygen transmission 10–15% but satisfy shelf-life goals.
Segment Analysis
By Product: IBCs Drive Hydrogen Infrastructure Expansion
Intermediate bulk containers own the fastest 7.11% CAGR to 2030, propelled by hydrogen projects that require 350–700-bar composite vessels. Drums held 35.53% industrial packaging market share in 2024 and remain the backbone for multipurpose chemicals.
IBCs benefit from USD 7 billion in hydrogen hub funding, while steel drum demand faces raw-material swings yet enjoys entrenched UN certification familiarity. Flexible intermediate bulk containers adopt antistatic fabrics compliant with ATEX to serve explosive-atmosphere sectors.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Material: Paper Innovations Challenge Plastic Dominance
Plastic dominated with 46.44% share in 2024 but faces mounting regulatory scrutiny. Paper and fiber options are set for a 6.75% CAGR as PFAS-free barrier coatings mature.
TAPPI measured 25% growth in barrier paperboard output, and automakers now mandate 30% recycled content in plastic returnable bins. Advanced cellulose films match oxygen barrier performance seen in polyethylene, enlarging paper’s addressable use cases.
By End-User Industry: Pharma Growth Outpaces Chemical Leadership
Chemicals and pharmaceuticals generated 29.43% of 2024 revenue. Food and beverage is forecast to rise at 5.89% CAGR fostered by cold-chain expansion and FSMA enforcement.
Pharma serialization lines hit 99.9% traceability, cutting changeovers 35%. Automotive electrification calls for UN 38.3-certified battery packaging that resists fire and contains thermal runaway.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Packaging Capacity: Mid-Range Efficiency Meets Large-Volume Growth
The 51–500 L band accounted for 38.42% of 2024 sales, striking a balance between manual lift limits and racking density. The 501–1,000 L class will expand 5.44% CAGR, fueled by automation-friendly footprints.
BASF trimmed packaging spend 22% by standardizing on 750 L formats that maximize pallet footprints. Containers above 2,000 L gain traction in bulk petrochemicals where double-wall builds satisfy EPA secondary-containment rules.
Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific supplied 40.45% of 2024 revenue thanks to export-heavy manufacturing and 8.1% growth in domestic packaging machinery output. Middle East and Africa will top regional growth charts at 6.34% CAGR, aided by USD 20 billion in petrochemical projects.
North America benefits from near-shoring as Mexico’s exports rose 15% to USD 492 billion. Europe tightens circular-economy protocols that favor recyclable formats.
Saudi industrial policies drive demand for heavy-duty drums and composite IBCs meeting UN specs. India’s food-processing investments worth INR 3,400 crore (USD 408 million) encourage fiber-based secondary packaging. Japanese chemical safety rules inspire high-barrier multilayer upgrades. The UAE’s industrial strategy targets 25% manufacturing GDP share, stimulating regional pallet and container pools.
Africa’s AfCFTA framework fosters intra-continental trade, opening gateways for standardized industrial packaging market solutions across borders. Sub-Saharan infrastructure work advances demand for large sacks and drums to move cement and chemicals. European ports expand EDI documentation to accelerate customs clearance, prompting adoption of globally harmonized labeling on bulk containers.
Competitive Landscape
Merger activity reshapes supply power. Packaging Corporation of America bought Greif’s containerboard business for USD 1.8 billion, boosting vertical integration. Smurfit Kappa merged with WestRock to form a USD 34 billion revenue powerhouse able to leverage combined corrugated and containerboard assets across 40 countries.
Technology leapfrogs widen the gap. Mondi invests EUR 200 million in recycled board to capture sustainability-led share. International Paper opened a USD 260 million corrugated plant with 1.2 billion ft² annual output focused on protein and industrial accounts. Brambles deploys 550,000 IoT trackers that raise visibility to 95% and cut replacement spending USD 120 million.
Smaller players defend niches. Mauser’s acquisition of Consolidated Container adds 150,000 t capacity in rigid plastics. WERIT’s UN-certified hydrogen IBCs meet 350-bar service needs. Visionary startups commercialize mycelium foams and recycled-content resin blends for protective interiors, targeting high-value OEM shipments.
Industrial Packaging Industry Leaders
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WERIT Kunststoffwerke W. Schneider GmbH & Co.
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Mondi Plc
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Greif Inc.
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Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Company
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Global-Pak, Inc.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- December 2024: Greif sold its containerboard unit for USD 1.8 billion to Packaging Corporation of America.
- November 2024: Smurfit WestRock closed their USD 34 billion merge.
- October 2025: Mondi broke ground on a EUR 200 million recycled containerboard mill in Italy.
- September 2024: International Paper inaugurated its USD 260 million corrugated box plant in Iowa.
Global Industrial Packaging Market Report Scope
Industrial packaging protects, ships, and stores a wide range of goods. Typically, industrial packaging is done at the production site right after production, although it can be used at any point in the supply chain. This type of packaging is usually done for sensitive products that heavily rely on stability or are hazardous or bulky or for products with components that are sensitive to each other.
The industrial packaging market is segmented by product (intermediate bulk containers (IBCS), sacks, drums, pails, and other products), end-user industries (automotive, food and beverage, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, oil, gas, and petrochemical, building and construction, and other end-user industries), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD) for all the above segments.
| Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) |
| Drums |
| Sacks |
| Pails |
| Other Products |
| Plastics |
| Metal |
| Paper and Fiber-based |
| Other Materials |
| Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals |
| Food and Beverage |
| Automotive |
| Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals |
| Building and Construction |
| Other End-user Industries |
| ≤ 50 L |
| 51 - 500 L |
| 501 - 1,000 L |
| 1,001 - 2,000 L |
| > 2,000 L |
| North America | United States | |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| South America | Brazil | |
| Argentina | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| Europe | Germany | |
| United Kingdom | ||
| France | ||
| Spain | ||
| Italy | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| Asia-Pacific | China | |
| Japan | ||
| India | ||
| Australia | ||
| South Korea | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia |
| United Arab Emirates | ||
| Turkey | ||
| Rest of Middle East | ||
| Africa | South Africa | |
| Kenya | ||
| Rest of Africa | ||
| By Product | Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) | ||
| Drums | |||
| Sacks | |||
| Pails | |||
| Other Products | |||
| By Material | Plastics | ||
| Metal | |||
| Paper and Fiber-based | |||
| Other Materials | |||
| By End-user Industry | Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals | ||
| Food and Beverage | |||
| Automotive | |||
| Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals | |||
| Building and Construction | |||
| Other End-user Industries | |||
| By Packaging Capacity | ≤ 50 L | ||
| 51 - 500 L | |||
| 501 - 1,000 L | |||
| 1,001 - 2,000 L | |||
| > 2,000 L | |||
| By Geography | North America | United States | |
| Canada | |||
| Mexico | |||
| South America | Brazil | ||
| Argentina | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| France | |||
| Spain | |||
| Italy | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| Asia-Pacific | China | ||
| Japan | |||
| India | |||
| Australia | |||
| South Korea | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| Middle East and Africa | Middle East | Saudi Arabia | |
| United Arab Emirates | |||
| Turkey | |||
| Rest of Middle East | |||
| Africa | South Africa | ||
| Kenya | |||
| Rest of Africa | |||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
How large is global industrial packaging demand in 2025?
The industrial packaging market size reached USD 70.99 billion in 2025.
What CAGR is expected for industrial packaging through 2030?
The market is set to advance at a 5.03% CAGR over 2025–2030.
Which product category is expanding the fastest?
Intermediate bulk containers are forecast to grow at 7.11% CAGR on hydrogen-supply applications.
What share does Asia-Pacific hold in industrial packaging?
Asia-Pacific accounted for 40.45% of 2024 revenue.
Which material segment is gaining momentum?
Paper and fiber formats will register a 6.75% CAGR as PFAS-free barriers scale.
Why are reusable pooling models attractive?
Pooled assets lower total cost of ownership 15–25% when containers exceed 20 cycles per year.
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