Sustainable Packaging Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 292.71 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 423.56 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 7.67 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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Sustainable Packaging Market Analysis
The Sustainable Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 292.71 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 423.56 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7.67% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
Sustainable packaging is the creation and use of packaging that improves sustainability. It makes more use of life cycle assessments and inventories to inform packaging decisions and lessen its impact on the environment.
- Over the past couple of years, the interest (particularly at a consumer level) in sustainability has surged. The concept of circular economics gained significant momentum, and this has also focused considerable attention on sustainable packaging. Furthermore, governments on all continents have responded to public concerns regarding packaging waste, especially single-use packaging waste. They are implementing regulations to minimize environmental waste and improve waste management processes.
- Countries like France, Germany, and the United Kingdom go above and beyond robust recycling regulations across the European Union with Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPRs). In Asia, Thailand announced a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags at significant stores effective from January 1, 2020. It aimed for a complete ban by 2021 to reduce plastic leakage into the environment.
- According to a survey by the Ocean Conservancy, 8 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the ocean annually, adding to the estimated 150 million metric tonnes that are already churning around in the world's oceans. This is roughly equivalent to dumping one garbage truck from New York City's streets worth of plastic into the ocean every minute for a year. According to the survey, 2025 is predicted to be a watershed year for environmentally friendly packaging. Over 40% anticipate using innovative products and sustainable techniques during the next five years. Companies plan to use sustainable packaging to create a circular economy, including compostable or biodegradable materials and redesigning containers to cut or eliminate waste.
- The usage of non-recyclable, non-biodegradable plastic packaging solutions is expanding, resulting in increased carbon emissions in the environment. As a result, numerous large firms, such as Amazon, Google, and Tetrapak, among others, are aiming toward net-zero carbon emissions, which is predicted to be capital expenditure.
- With the outbreak of COVID-19, many companies began shifting away from banning plastic's sustainability goal. Some studies suggested that the virus can be passed on through cardboard and plastic, which resulted in increased usage of single-use materials across the supermarkets to wrap products, like cling film for fruits and vegetables.
Sustainable Packaging Market Trends
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Sustainable Packaging Market according to our research experts:
Sustainable Plastic Packaging Solutions to Hold Major Share in Market
- Due to their capacity to preserve the freshness of food products and increase product shelf life, plastic pouches and bags are anticipated to continue being a common form of packaging throughout the forecast period. Plastic bags and pouches made from petroleum also have a fantastic visible aesthetic and are environmentally friendly, increasing the products' marketing advantages.
- Due to consumers' rising preference for environmentally friendly packaging, industries are concentrating on creating bio-based PVCs. Cargill announced the addition of Biovero bio-based plasticizer to its portfolio of bio-industrial solutions in October 2021. This product is used for a wide range of product manufacturing applications, including the production of flooring, clothing, wires, cables, and plastic films and sheets for its industrial customers in North America, with plans to expand the offering globally. It is anticipated that situations like this will encourage the use of sustainable PVCs in the upcoming years.
- The businesses concentrate on creating bio-based PVCs due to consumers' rising preference for eco-friendly packaging. Cargill announced the addition of Biovero bio-based plasticizer to its portfolio of bio industrial solutions in October 2021. The product is used for a wide range of product manufacturing applications, including producing flooring, clothing, wires, cables, plastic films, and sheets for its industrial customers in North America, with plans to expand the offering globally. In the upcoming years, the use of sustainable PVCs is anticipated to increase due to situations like these.
- The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved PLA plastic for use in many disposable packaging applications and has determined it to be safe for all food packaging applications. PLA is also used in vehicles, textiles, foams, and films. Pure PLA bags, PLA compounds, a laboratory and compound service, and sustainable packaging solutions are all provided by WeforYou. Comparing PLA plastics to conventional petroleum-based plastics will reveal a price difference. In contrast, they have fewer mechanical and physical qualities.
- In another research study conducted by the Department of Plant Agriculture, Crop Science Building, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, scientists were able to produce a sustainable green composite based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and agave fiber.
Asia-Pacific Expected to Have Significant Growth
- The largest Chinese e-commerce sites and rapid delivery providers have been actively reducing the use of packaging materials. For instance, recyclable packaging boxes, which can be recycled an average of around ten times, were being used by SF Express. In first-tier and several second-tier domestic cities, the corporation has adopted more than 100,000 such boxes, mainly to replace paper boxes and plastic bags and cut down on foam blocks and tape. The business added that its initiatives are in response to the nation's need for sustainable growth in the logistics sector.
- Eight departments, including China's State Post Bureau (SPB), issued a directive in August 2020 stating that the nation would implement mandatory national standards to ensure that the express delivery industry uses hazard-free packaging materials by 2022. This would establish a comprehensive sustainable packaging standard system with distinct priorities and an optimized structure. The relevant departments will need to improve their sustainable packaging standard processes throughout the entire process, from design, materials, and recycling to disposal, following the requirements of the guideline.
- Concerns over environmental pollution have prompted directives from Beijing and the possibility of a ban on conventional plastics, such as single-use non-biodegradable plastics like cutlery, plastic bags, and packaging. As a result, manufacturers have also been concentrating on the increased use of corn, sugar, and other crops to develop biodegradable plastics. It was announced that by mid-2021, the Jilin Province and the tropical island of Hainan would implement broader bans on single-use plastics and non-biodegradable food service goods.
- The future, the increase of the Indian middle class, the quick expansion of organized retailers, the growth of exports, and India's burgeoning e-commerce industry are likely to assist further development. This has created a need for environmentally friendly packaging that can guarantee the best quality while having minimal negative environmental impact. Thus, firms adopting sustainable packaging methods to ensure less environmental contamination have become significant.
- A recent survey by Capgemini on sustainability and shifting consumer behavior found that 79% of consumers are altering their purchasing habits mostly due to considerations of social responsibility, inclusivity, and environmental impact. Additionally, 53% of consumers and 57% of consumers aged 18 to 24 have moved to less well-known brands because they are more environmentally friendly. A little over 52% of customers claimed to have an emotional bond with companies or organizations they consider to be sustainable.
Sustainable Packaging Industry Overview
The global sustainable packaging market is highly fragmented. Some key players are Amcor Limited, TetraPak International SA, WestRock Compan, Smurfit Kappa Group PLC, and Sonoco Products Company.
In April 2022, WestRock Company announced a partnership with Recipe Unlimited to implement a series of recyclable paperboard packages aimed at diverting 31 million plastic containers from landfills across Canada each year. The package started appearing in Swiss Chalet restaurants in October 2021 and is available at all locations.
In April 2022, Sealed Air announced a collaboration on an advanced recycling initiative that will focus on recycling flexible plastics from the food supply chain and remaking them into new certified circular food-grade packaging.
Sustainable Packaging Market Leaders
Amcor Limited
Westrock Company
TetraPak International SA
Sonoco Products Company
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Sustainable Packaging Market News
- July 2022: Mondi and converter FioriniInternational collaborated to develop a new paper packaging option for Italian premium pasta product manufacturer Antico PastificioUmbro. When applied to all pasta products, the new packaging, which is 100% recyclable, could reduce the amount of plastic used by up to 20 tonnes annually.
- April 2022: DS Smith introduced a corrugated cardboard box for the e-commerce shipment of medical devices. The corrugated cardboard box features a single-material solution instead of glued packaging with a single-use plastic insert.
Sustainable Packaging Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET INSIGHTS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis
4.3 Industry Attractiveness: Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.3.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
4.3.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.3.4 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
4.3.5 Threat of Substitute Products
4.4 Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Industry
5. MARKET DYNAMICS
5.1 Market Drivers
5.1.1 Government Initiatives toward Sustainable Packaging
5.1.2 Downsizing of Packaging
5.1.3 Shift in Consumer Preferences toward Recyclable and Eco-friendly Materials
5.2 Market Restraints
5.2.1 Capacity Constraint of Manufacturing Plants
5.2.2 High Cost of Raw Materials
6. MARKET SEGMENTATION
6.1 By Process
6.1.1 Reusable Packaging
6.1.2 Degradable Packaging
6.1.3 Recycled Packaging
6.2 By Material Type
6.2.1 Glass
6.2.2 Plastic
6.2.3 Metal
6.2.4 Paper
6.3 By End User
6.3.1 Pharmaceutical and Healthcare
6.3.2 Cosmetics and Personal Care
6.3.3 Food and Beverage
6.3.4 Other End Users
6.4 By Geography
6.4.1 North America
6.4.2 Europe
6.4.3 Asia-Pacific
6.4.4 Latin America
6.4.5 Middle East and Africa
7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
7.1 Company Profiles
7.1.1 Amcor Limited
7.1.2 Westrock Company
7.1.3 TetraPak International SA
7.1.4 Sonoco Products Company
7.1.5 Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
7.1.6 Sealed Air Corporation
7.1.7 Mondi PLC
7.1.8 Huhtamaki OYJ
7.1.9 BASF SE
7.1.10 Ardagh Group SA
7.1.11 Ball Corporation
7.1.12 Crown Holdings Inc.
7.1.13 DS Smith PLC
7.1.14 Genpak LLC
7.1.15 International Paper Company
- *List Not Exhaustive
8. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
9. MARKET OUTLOOK
Sustainable Packaging Industry Segmentation
Sustainable packaging is the development and use of packaging, resulting in improved sustainability. This involves increased use of life cycle inventory (LCI) and life cycle assessment (LCA) to help guide packaging, reducing the environmental impact and ecological footprint.
The global sustainable packaging market is segmented by process (reusable packaging, degradable packaging, recycled packaging), material type (glass, plastic, metal, paper), end user (pharmaceutical and healthcare, cosmetics and personal care, food and beverage, other end users), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD billion) for all the above segments.
| By Process | |
| Reusable Packaging | |
| Degradable Packaging | |
| Recycled Packaging |
| By Material Type | |
| Glass | |
| Plastic | |
| Metal | |
| Paper |
| By End User | |
| Pharmaceutical and Healthcare | |
| Cosmetics and Personal Care | |
| Food and Beverage | |
| Other End Users |
| By Geography | |
| North America | |
| Europe | |
| Asia-Pacific | |
| Latin America | |
| Middle East and Africa |
Sustainable Packaging Market Research FAQs
How big is the Sustainable Packaging Market?
The Sustainable Packaging Market size is expected to reach USD 292.71 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 7.67% to reach USD 423.56 billion by 2029.
What is the current Sustainable Packaging Market size?
In 2024, the Sustainable Packaging Market size is expected to reach USD 292.71 billion.
Who are the key players in Sustainable Packaging Market?
Amcor Limited, Westrock Company, TetraPak International SA, Sonoco Products Company and Smurfit Kappa Group PLC are the major companies operating in the Sustainable Packaging Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Sustainable Packaging Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Sustainable Packaging Market?
In 2024, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Sustainable Packaging Market.
What years does this Sustainable Packaging Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Sustainable Packaging Market size was estimated at USD 271.86 billion. The report covers the Sustainable Packaging Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Sustainable Packaging Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Which sector is leading in the adoption of Sustainable Packaging?
The food and beverage sector leads in adopting sustainable packaging due to growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products and stringent regulations regarding food safety and packaging waste.
Sustainable Packaging Industry Report
The Sustainable Packaging Industry is witnessing remarkable growth, fueled by stringent sustainability regulations, a shift in consumer preferences towards eco-friendly solutions, and a ban on single-use plastics. This surge is particularly notable in the food & beverage and personal care sectors, which are rapidly adopting biodegradable and recyclable packaging to reduce carbon footprints and ensure product safety. With a focus on minimizing environmental impact, the industry offers a variety of materials like paper, plastic, metal, and glass, and innovative solutions such as active and molded pulp packaging. As the market moves towards recyclable and reusable options, sustainable packaging is becoming essential for long-term ecological sustainability. This growth is backed by industry commitment to innovation and new technologies. According to Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports, the sustainable packaging market is expanding, with detailed analysis and forecasts available in their free report PDF download, highlighting market share, size, revenue growth, and a historical overview, underscoring the industry's significant potential and contribution to a sustainable future.
