Plastic Bottles and Containers Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material Type (HDPE, LDPE, PET, PP, Others), By Plastic Processing (Extraction Blow Molding, Injection Blow Molding, Others), By Applications (Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Personal Care, Household, Others) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global plastic bottles and containers market was valued at USD 142.08 billion in 2023. It is estimated to reach USD 226.14 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period (2024–2032).

The global plastic bottles and containers market is primarily boosted by the growing demand for these products from several end-user industries like food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, personal care, etc. Furthermore, there has been an increase in research initiatives demonstrating the benefits of using plastic as a raw material for developing bottles and containers with superior properties, thereby creating opportunities for market growth.

Highlights

• PET dominates the material type segment
• Food and beverage dominate the application segment 
• Asia-Pacific is estimated to be the largest shareholder in the market

Plastic bottles and containers are commonly used items made from various plastic polymers. They are designed to hold and store liquids, powders, or solid products. These containers are available in a wide range of sizes, colors, and shapes to accommodate a variety of needs and tastes. Plastic bottles and containers are extensively used in the packaging industry for products such as beverages (water, soda, juices), food (sauces, condiments, snacks), personal care products (shampoo, lotion, soap), household cleaners, pharmaceuticals, and many others.

The most common types of plastic used for manufacturing bottles and containers include PET (polyethylene terephthalate), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and PS (polystyrene). Each type of plastic has unique properties, such as strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance, making it suitable for specific applications.

Market Dynamics

Global plastic bottles and containers market drivers

Growth of end-user industries

Industries like food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and household chemicals heavily rely on packaging solutions for their products. Plastic bottles and containers, particularly PET ones, are preferred due to their durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. As these end-user industries expand and innovate, the demand for plastic packaging also increases.

For example, the beverage industry's introduction of new product lines, flavors, and packaging formats continually fuels the demand for plastic bottles. Similarly, the pharmaceutical industry's development of new drugs and healthcare products requires reliable and secure packaging solutions. Therefore, the growth and evolution of end-use industries directly translate to heightened demand for plastic bottles and containers, stimulating market expansion and driving innovation within the packaging sector.

Global plastic bottles and containers market restraint

Environmental concerns 

Environmental concerns pose a significant restraint on the plastic bottles and containers market. There are numerous calls to reduce plastic usage as a result of growing awareness of plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on ecosystems, marine life, and human health. Governments worldwide are implementing regulations to curb plastic waste, including bans on single-use plastics and mandates for recyclable or biodegradable packaging.

Consumers also demand more sustainable alternatives, prompting companies to explore eco-friendly packaging materials. The negative publicity surrounding plastic pollution has also tarnished the reputation of plastic packaging, leading some businesses to seek alternatives to avoid association with environmental harm. As a result, the plastic bottles and containers market faces pressure to innovate and adopt more sustainable practices to address these environmental concerns and maintain consumer trust.

Global plastic bottles and containers market opportunities

Rising research initiatives

In recent years, there has been a rise in research initiatives showing the advantages of utilizing plastic as a raw material for producing bottles and containers. For instance, in March 2023, the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) published a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that evaluates polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, glass, and aluminum beverage container systems for carbonated soft drinks (CSD) and still water. PET plastic bottles were determined to be more environmentally friendly than aluminum cans and glass bottles in the examination.

Over 70% of beverage containers use plastic packaging derived from PET due to its lightweight nature, transparency, and full recyclability. PET plastic bottles produce less solid waste, need less water in manufacturing, and emit fewer pollutants that contribute to acid rain and smog than glass and aluminum beverage containers. As environmental consciousness continues to rise, the superior sustainability profile of PET plastic bottles serves as a key driver for their adoption. This creates opportunities for the growth of the global market.

Regional Analysis

Asia-pacific dominates the global market

Based on region, the global plastic bottles and containers market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global plastic bottles and containers market shareholder and is expected to expand substantially during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing strong growth due to increased urbanization, shifting consumer habits, and rising disposable income. The expanding food and beverage sector in developing economies like China, India, and other countries is projected to increase the need for plastic bottles and containers in the region. Consumers in this region are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and showing a strong preference for sustainable products. This has prompted market players to introduce new sustainability efforts.

For instance, in January 2024, Coca-Cola India and Reliance Retail collaborated to introduce the "Bhool Na Jana, Plastic Bottle Lautana" environmental program. The project centers on collecting post-consumer PET through reverse vending machines (RVMs) and collection bins at Reliance Retail stores in Mumbai. It is the start of a pilot program at 36 stores in Mumbai and Delhi. The goal is to extend the PET collection and recycling program to 200 Reliance stores throughout India by 2025, aiming to collect 500,000 PET bottles each year in the first stage.

Furthermore, market participants are introducing new plastic bottles and containers made from recycled plastic in addition to implementing sustainability measures. For instance, in July 2023, PepsiCo India demonstrated its dedication to sustainability and plastic circularity by launching India's first 100% rPET (recycled plastic) bottles in the Carbonated Beverage segment with Pepsi Black. PepsiCo India is launching this initiative to create a sustainable value chain within a circular and inclusive economy, ensuring that packaging is always utilized and not discarded. Pepsi Black rPET bottles are produced in India through a collaboration with Srichakra Polyplast (India) Private Limited and Varun Beverages, the bottling partner. Thus, the factors above are anticipated to expedite the Asia-Pacific market growth during the forecast period.

In North America, increasing environmental awareness and the growing preference for recyclable plastic are projected to boost the market. Market participants are promoting plastic recycling through different initiatives. For instance, in April 2023, Dart Container, a manufacturer of food service packaging based in Mason, Michigan, announced the Next Life Take Back Program to help customers reclaim Dart goods for recycling. As stated in a news release, the program assists Dart's U.S. customers in shipping their food service packaging to recyclers. Customers can gather and wash discarded Dart packaging composed of paper, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and expanded polystyrene for the initiative. Customers must go to the program website, submit proof of purchase information, and purchase a cheap UPS shipping label corresponding to the material they intend to ship. Customers may deliver the box to any UPS shipping location.

Furthermore, the key participants in the market are involved in strategic initiatives like collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, expansions, product launches, etc., which help enhance their market share. For instance, in November 2023, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., an established vertically integrated producer, marketer, and distributor, announced a strategic partnership with Arena Packaging, a prominent packaging, design, and pooling company in North America, to launch Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) for bananas. Consequently, all these factors drive the regional market growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global plastic bottles and containers market is segmented by material type, plastic processing, and application.

Based on material type, the global plastic bottles and containers market is bifurcated into HDPE, LDPE, PET, PP, and others. 

The PET segment dominates the global market. PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) plastic is a thermoplastic polymer resin commonly used to produce bottles, containers, and packaging materials. PET bottles and containers are expected to gain significant traction in the global market during the assessment period, owing to their characteristics such as high clarity, chemical resistance, food contact safety, and high impact resistance. Moreover, PET plastic is often used for bottling beverages such as water, soft drinks, juices, and food items like peanut butter and salad dressings. In contrast, PET containers can be used for frozen foods, household products, etc. Additionally, it is recyclable and can be melted down and reused to make new products, making it a popular choice for sustainable packaging solutions.

Based on plastic processing, the global plastic bottles and containers market is segmented into extraction blow molding, injection blow molding, and others. 

Injection blow molding is a manufacturing technique that produces hollow plastic parts, typically bottles and containers. It combines elements of both injection molding and blow molding techniques. Approximately 40% of plastic is processed through injection molding. The advantage of using injection molding machines is that an ample number of molded parts can be produced economically without needing to finish the operation.

Moreover, technological advancements and innovations in the segment are expected to influence the market growth. For instance, the medical device and diagnostic industry invented injection blow machines to control mold temperature. Gas-assisted injection molding has evolved from modifying a structural foam process known as gas counter pressure; this technical advancement or process minimizes the surface swirls and resolves problems associated with finishing or painting foamed parts.

Based on application, the global plastic bottles and containers market is divided into food and beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care, household, and others. 

The food and beverage segment owns the highest market share. The food and beverage industry is expected to be the major consumer of plastic bottles and containers. This is majorly attributed to the growing use of plastic packaging in the food and beverage industry and official approval to use recycled plastic for highly disposable food and beverage products. For instance, according to the American Chemistry Council, the most common plastic resins approved by the FDA for food contact are post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET, polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polycarbonate (PC).

Recent Developments

December 2023 - Novolex introduced food packaging containers using 10% recycled plastic.

October 2023 - Stora Enso, a renewable products firm from Helsinki, collaborated with FrostPharma and Mälarplast from Sweden to create a novel hazardous waste container using tall oil-based polypropylene (PP) and wood fibers from Nordic forests. The WoodSafe range has seven containers of different sizes.