Global Plastic Packaging Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

Market Overview

The Global Plastic Packaging Market is expected to register a CAGR of 3.56% over the forecast period 2022-2027. Compared to other packaging products, consumers have shown an increasing inclination toward plastic packaging, as plastic packages are lightweight and easier to handle. Similarly, even the big manufacturers prefer to use plastic packaging solutions because of their lower cost of production.

• Plastic containers are becoming important in the beverage and food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. New filling technologies and the emergence of heat-resistant packaging material opened upnew possibilities and options in the market. While PET bottles are common in multiple segments, beverages, cosmetics, sanitary products, and detergents are predominantly sold in polyethylene (PE) bottles.
• The European Union is pioneering the plastic market with its drive toward circular economy principles. According to Plastics Europe 2021 report, in 2020, almost 10.2 million tonnes of post-consumer plastic waste were collected and sent to recycling facilities inside and outside Europe.
• Several global companies are increasingly recognizing the urgency of recycling PET into food-grade products, such as beverage containers. This can drive the growth of the demand for PET in the world. For instance, the Coca-Cola Company intends to use 50% recycled PET in its containers by 2030. Major companies, such as Unilever, L'Oréal, and P&G, announced a significant increase, thereby doubling the tonnage of post-consumer recycled (PCR) resins in their packaging by 2020, for which PET was a desirable resin type. For instance, Unilever is committed to making 100% of its plastic packaging reusable or recyclable by 2025.
• Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers and businesses have had to alter the way they view packaging health and safety. Since the early days of the pandemic, single-use plastic has been gaining importance; this is because consumers were concerned that reusable packaging would increase the risk of transmission.
• The increasing awareness regarding the environmental effect of single-use plastic and unsustainable business practices have empowered consumers to demand a higher standard of products with less environmental impact.
• Banning plastic bags, along with other types of plastic packaging, is the most used remedy to solve the problem of plastic waste worldwide. According to National Geographic, as of June 2021, 115 countries had taken that approach in various ways. For instance, in France, plastic bags less than 50 microns thick are banned. In Tunisia, plastic bags less than 40 microns thick are banned.

Scope of the Report

Plastics are used in the packaging of materials, such as food, beverage, oil, etc. Plastics are primarily used because of their performance, cost-effectiveness, and durability. Based upon the type of product being packed, plastics can be of different grades and different material combinations like polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.

Global Plastic Packaging Market is Segmented By Rigid Plastic Packaging (Materials (Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS) and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)), Product (Bottles and Jars, Trays and containers), End-user Industry (Food, Beverage, Healthcare, Cosmetics and Personal Care) and Geography), and By Flexible Plastic Packaging (Polyethene (PE), Bi-orientated Polypropylene (BOPP), Cast Polypropylene (CPP), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH)), Product Type (Pouches, Bags, Films and Wraps), End-user Industry (Food, Beverage, Cosmetics and Personal Care) and Geography). 

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Key Market Trends

Food Segment to Occupy Major Share

• Food packaging is one of the largest users of plastics. The demand for rigid plastic packaging for the food industry is witnessing demand, as they are increasingly replacing traditional materials such as paperboard, metals, and glass, owing to their beneficial properties, such as lightweight and reduced cost. ​​
• The increasing consumption of bakery products is further driving the adoption of flexible plastic packaging solutions to increase the shelf-life and avoid chalky bread conditions. With roughly 80% of baked goods being sold in flexible packaging and bakeries now producing a wider range of bread, buns, and rolls than ever before, including specialty and gluten-free, market players are developing advanced solutions catering to the demand.
• Vendors strategically partnered to enhance flexible packaging for the segment. For instance, in May 2021, ProAmpac acquired Irish Flexible packaging and Fispak to serve flexible packaging products to the bakeries in Ireland. Similarly, in September 2021, PPC Flexible Packaging announced the acquisition of custom flexible packaging to enhance the sales of flexible films for all products, including bakery products.
• Rigid plastic packaging includes plastic bottles and containers and continues to be popular in industries for food packaging applications. Containers are used to pack sauces and other consumer goods that use HDPE and LDPE material for packaging. Moreover, plastic bottles and containers gained importance in the food industry due to their ability to provide extended shelf life to packaged food items.
• The current market scenario indicates a surging demand for flexible packaging solutions for sweets and confectionery products globally. The demand for flexible plastic is also increasing in Eastern Europe, with expected growth in volume (3.0 billion units) by 2023. Poland is expected to witness the most significant growth. Also, flexible plastic has been the primary choice for packaging, especially for confectionery products.

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