| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Volume (2025) | 3.08 Million tonnes |
| Market Volume (2030) | 3.43 Million tonnes |
| CAGR | 2.21 % |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
United Kingdom Container Glass Market Analysis
The United Kingdom Container Glass Market size is estimated at 3.08 million tonnes in 2025, and is expected to reach 3.43 million tonnes by 2030, at a CAGR of 2.21% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
- Growing customer demand for safer and healthier packaging is driving the expansion of glass packaging across various categories. Innovative technologies, such as embossing, shaping, and artistic finishes, are enhancing the appeal of glass packaging to end users. Additionally, the surging demand for eco-friendly products, particularly from the food and beverage sector, is propelling market growth.
- As consumers show a heightened preference for beer and wine, glass packaging manufacturers are adapting their production accordingly. Moreover, premium food and beverage brands are favoring container glass over alternatives like plastic, due to glass's chemical inertness, non-porous nature, and impermeability.
- The Russia-Ukraine conflict disrupted an already fragile trading system. While the UK faces less direct impact from the war than many European neighbors, it has nonetheless experienced heightened pressures on energy and food prices. Additionally, labor shortages and a sluggish post-pandemic recovery have further strained UK prices. However, this renewed emphasis on European security could pave the way for strengthened trade, security, and political ties between the UK and the EU.
- In recent decades, alcohol consumption per capita in the UK has seen an upward trend. Currently, the average adult consumes approximately 9.7 liters of pure alcohol annually, translating to about 18 units weekly. A survey by Alcohol Change UK highlights that individuals aged 55-64 are more prone to higher-risk drinking, suggesting a generational trend of heavier drinking in recent years.
- The UK is placing a strong emphasis on its cosmetics industry, welcoming back notable entrants like LVMH after a significant hiatus. The container glass market in the UK seeks a consistent and stable policy framework for decarbonization. Such a framework would empower manufacturers to invest in curbing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the forecast period.
- However, the rising preference for alternative packaging materials, including plastic and metal, significantly influences the market's growth trajectory. Furthermore, government initiatives promoting the use of recycled plastic (rPET) bottles pose challenges for the wider acceptance of glass packaging.
United Kingdom Container Glass Market Trends
Beverage is Expected to Account For Significant Market Share
- Glass bottles have been a great packaging choice for the beverage industry since time immemorial, and this continues to be the case today. Glass bottles offer several benefits to the food and beverage industries, including maintaining the quality of the contents and protecting the product from external influences.
- As the consumption of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the country is set to rise in the coming years, the market for glass container glass is poised for growth. Emerging markets are channeling investments into the installation and renovation of new furnaces. Manufacturing facilities are operating at full capacity to meet this surging demand, and with rising energy and raw material costs, product prices are seeing a notable uptick.
- Demand is set to surge in three primary sectors: beer, alcoholic beverages, and food. Data from the Office of National Statistics UK reveals that the wholesale revenue for beverages was USD 17.98 billion in 2019, with projections reaching USD 19.34 billion in 2025. This uptick in beverage sales is expected to bolster the container glass market throughout the forecast period.
- Glass packaging has gained traction across various beverage categories, including soft drinks, driven by premiumization trends. Given their widespread popularity, soft drinks command a substantial share of the studied market. With a diverse range of flavors and formats, soft drinks cater to every drinking occasion. As reported by UNESDA, low-calorie and sugar-free beverages now represent up to 30% of sales in several European markets.
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Increasing Emphasis on Glass Recycling and Recyclability Rate in the Country
- British Glass, serving as the UK's representative body for the glass industry, is dedicated to boosting recycling rates and reaching Net Zero by 2050. This commitment can be fulfilled through regular household collections, nationwide recycling initiatives, and a revamped Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system. However, British Glass firmly opposes the inclusion of glass in a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), citing concerns over potential unintended consequences that could undermine the principles of a genuine circular economy.
- British Glass has highlighted the growing trend of cullet exports to mainland Europe. They emphasize the need for the United Kingdom to transition towards a closed-loop economy for glass recycling. The representative body of the UK's glass industry has unveiled an infographic underscoring the significance of local glass recycling. The UK's circular economy for glass boasts numerous advantages, such as the capability to recycle, remelt, and remold glass indefinitely, all while maintaining its quality.
- Currently, a large portion of the UK's waste glass finds its way to mainland Europe, leading to both environmental and economic drawbacks. In 2023, exports of glass cullet surged by 31% from 2021 figures, totaling 79,000 tonnes. By prioritizing local glass recycling, the UK can diminish its reliance on non-renewable energy sources (NREs), cut down on CO2 emissions, and create fresh avenues for local businesses to showcase their commitment to the circular economy.
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United Kingdom Container Glass Industry Overview
The United Kingdom Container Glass market is semi-consolidated, with players such as Verallia Packaging (Verallia SA), Ciner Glass Ltd., O-I Glass, Inc., and Ardagh Group. These major players are vying for higher market share in the market by implementing strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, product innovation, and expansion to grow in the market.
United Kingdom Container Glass Market Leaders
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Verallia Packaging (Verallia SA)
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Ciner Glass Ltd.
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O-I Glass, Inc.
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Ardagh Group
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Beatson Clark
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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United Kingdom Container Glass Market News
- August 2024: Beatson Clark, a glass manufacturer based in the UK, launched an in-house decoration service. This new facility enables Beatson Clark to spray glass packaging in any color, achieving stunning effects like opaque, frosted, glitter, vignette, and pearlescent. Located in Rotherham, UK, this container glass producer provides a versatile service, decorating not only its own bottles and jars but also customer-provided glass containers, depending on their suitability.
- August 2024: Verallia UK, committed to sustainable innovation, unveiled ECOVA, a premium spirit bottle standard of sustainable off-the-shelf glass packaging. The name ECOVA, merging 'ecology' and 'value', underscores the range's sustainability focus. Featuring four new designs, Patet, Caeli, Vita, and Terra, each weighing 500g, the innovative design boosts the average pallet capacity by 200 bottles. This enhancement minimizes shipping packaging for UK customers. The creation of the ECOVA range was driven by the goal of lightening bottle weight, thereby curbing carbon emissions for both Verallia UK and its clients.
United Kingdom Container Glass Industry Segmentation
Glass Containers refer to clean bottles and jars made from glass. The scope excludes windows and other non-container glass products. Container glass is used in the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage industries due to its ability to maintain chemical inertness, sterility, and non-permeability. Glass packaging is valued for its unique properties, including its transparency, inertness, and ability to preserve the quality and integrity of its contents.
United Kingdom Container Glass Market is segmented by end-user industry ((beverages (alcoholic beverages (wines and spirits, beer and cider, and other alcoholic beverages) and non-alcoholic beverages (carbonated soft drinks, juices, water, and other non-alcoholic beverages)), food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and other end-user industries). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of volume (tonnes) for all the above segments.
| End-user Industry | Beverage | Alcoholic Beverages (Qualitative Analysis to be Provided) | Wines and Spirits | |
| Beer and Cider | ||||
| Other Alcoholic Beverages | ||||
| Non-Alcoholic Beverages (Qualitative Analysis to be Provided) | Carbonated Soft Drinks | |||
| Juices | ||||
| Water | ||||
| Other Non-Alcoholic Beverages | ||||
| Food | ||||
| Cosmetics | ||||
| Pharmaceuticals | ||||
| Other End User Verticals | ||||
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United Kingdom Container Glass Market Research FAQs
How big is the United Kingdom Container Glass Market?
The United Kingdom Container Glass Market size is expected to reach 3.08 million tonnes in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 2.21% to reach 3.43 million tonnes by 2030.
What is the current United Kingdom Container Glass Market size?
In 2025, the United Kingdom Container Glass Market size is expected to reach 3.08 million tonnes.
Who are the key players in United Kingdom Container Glass Market?
Verallia Packaging (Verallia SA), Ciner Glass Ltd., O-I Glass, Inc., Ardagh Group and Beatson Clark are the major companies operating in the United Kingdom Container Glass Market.
What years does this United Kingdom Container Glass Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the United Kingdom Container Glass Market size was estimated at 3.01 million tonnes. The report covers the United Kingdom Container Glass Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the United Kingdom Container Glass Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
United Kingdom Container Glass Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 United Kingdom Container Glass market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. United Kingdom Container Glass analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
