Plastic Packaging Market

The global plastic packaging market is expected to continue on an upward consumption trend, driven by increasing demand worldwide. Market performance is forecasted to accelerate, with a projected CAGR of +3.4% in volume and +5.3% in value from 2022 to 2030. In 2022, China, Turkey, and the United States were the largest consumers and producers of plastic packaging. Plastic sacks and bags, plastic boxes, cases, crates, and similar packing articles were the key types of plastic packaging. Imports and exports of plastic packaging also showed steady growth, with China, Mexico, and the United States being the largest exporters. Overall, the global plastic packaging market is set to see continued growth in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for plastic packaging worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 146M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $585.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Plastic Packaging

In 2022, approx. 112M tons of plastic packaging were consumed worldwide; waning by -6.1% compared with 2021. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the maximum volume at 119M tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

The global plastic packaging market value fell to $386.8B in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level at $391B in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (18M tons), Turkey (13M tons) and the United States (7.3M tons), together accounting for 35% of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +21.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($83.4B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($33B). It was followed by Turkey.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China stood at +3.3%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (+1.1% per year) and Turkey (+10.6% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of plastic packaging per capita consumption was registered in Turkey (153 kg per person), followed by Spain (41 kg per person), the United States (22 kg per person) and Vietnam (21 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of plastic packaging was estimated at 0.2 kg per person.

In Turkey, plastic packaging per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +19.9% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+6.7% per year) and the United States (+0.4% per year).

Consumption By Type

The products with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics (48M tons), plastic sacks and bags (44M tons) and plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles (20M tons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consumed products, was attained by carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics (with a CAGR of +5.1%), while consumption for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of plastic packaging in terms of market size were carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics ($169B), plastic sacks and bags ($139.4B) and plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles ($76.7B).

In terms of the main consumed products, carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics, with a CAGR of +3.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Plastic Packaging

In 2022, the amount of plastic packaging produced worldwide shrank to 111M tons, dropping by -6.6% compared with the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 119M tons, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, plastic packaging production stood at $391.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $435.8B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (21M tons), Turkey (13M tons) and the United States (6.5M tons), with a combined 36% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +20.8%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production By Type

The products with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics (48M tons), plastic sacks and bags (44M tons) and plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles (20M tons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading produced products, was attained by carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics (with a CAGR of +5.1%), while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics ($160.9B), plastic sacks and bags ($144.1B) and plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles ($87.7B) were the products with the highest levels of production in 2022.

Among the main produced products, plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles, with a CAGR of +3.3%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while production for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Plastic Packaging

In 2022, supplies from abroad of plastic packaging increased by 5.9% to 14M tons, rising for the seventh year in a row after two years of decline. In general, total imports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +41.0% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 90% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 19M tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of global imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic packaging imports amounted to $45.1B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 16%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

Mexico (1.8M tons) and the United States (1.5M tons) represented the largest importers of plastic packaging in 2022, accounting for approx. 13% and 11% of total imports, respectively. Germany (927K tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 6.6% share, followed by the Netherlands (4.5%). The following importers - France (616K tons), Japan (607K tons), Belgium (603K tons), Spain (524K tons), the UK (497K tons), Canada (384K tons), Italy (297K tons), Australia (272K tons) and Poland (259K tons) - together made up 29% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +9.4%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($6.4B) constitutes the largest market for imported plastic packaging worldwide, comprising 14% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($2.9B), with a 6.5% share of global imports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 5.1% share.

In the United States, plastic packaging imports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+2.4% per year) and Mexico (+4.3% per year).

Imports By Type

Plastic sacks and bags (6M tons) and plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles (5M tons) were the largest types of plastic packaging in 2022, amounting to near 43% and 36% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics (3M tons), committing a 21% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles (with a CAGR of +4.3%), while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of imported plastic packaging were plastic sacks and bags ($19.9B), plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles ($14.2B) and carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics ($11B).

Plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles, with a CAGR of +3.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

The average plastic packaging import price stood at $3,198 per ton in 2022, picking up by 1.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 92%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $3,399 per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics ($3,645 per ton), while the price for plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles ($2,817 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by plastic bag (+0.6%), while the other products experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average plastic packaging import price amounted to $3,198 per ton, increasing by 1.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 92%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $3,399 per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($4,981 per ton), while Mexico ($1,278 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+2.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Plastic Packaging

For the third consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in overseas shipments of plastic packaging, which increased by 1.7% to 13M tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, plastic packaging exports reached $49.3B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 17%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (2.2M tons), distantly followed by Mexico (1,137K tons), Germany (759K tons) and the United States (656K tons) were the largest exporters of plastic packaging, together making up 36% of total exports. Poland (533K tons), the Netherlands (530K tons), Turkey (422K tons), Belgium (412K tons), Thailand (405K tons), France (402K tons), Canada (354K tons), India (329K tons) and Malaysia (326K tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +8.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($10.9B) remains the largest plastic packaging supplier worldwide, comprising 22% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($4.1B), with an 8.2% share of global exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 7.4% share.

In China, plastic packaging exports expanded at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+2.9% per year) and Germany (+2.1% per year).

Exports By Type

In 2022, plastic sacks and bags (6M tons) and plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles (4.5M tons) were the key types of plastic packagingacross the globe, together generating 79% of total exports. It was distantly followed by carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics (2.8M tons), constituting a 21% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exported products, was attained by plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles (with a CAGR of +3.3%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of exported plastic packaging were plastic sacks and bags ($22.1B), plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles ($15.5B) and carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics ($11.9B).

Plastic sacks and bags, with a CAGR of +4.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average plastic packaging export price amounted to $3,701 per ton, picking up by 3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 6.4%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics ($4,254 per ton), while the average price for exports of plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles ($3,412 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by plastic bag (+1.8%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average plastic packaging export price amounted to $3,701 per ton, growing by 3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 6.4% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($6,178 per ton), while Mexico ($1,603 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+5.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform