PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1653307
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1653307
Recyclable packaging is employed to enclose or safeguard products during distribution, storage, sale, and use, utilizing materials that can be recycled, such as glass, metal, card, paper, corrugated cardboard, and others. These packaging solutions play a significant role in reducing carbon footprint and offer multiple advantages, including the conservation of raw resources, decreased production energy requirements, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Recyclable packaging is designed to be reused, recycled, or is biodegradable, facilitating more straightforward waste management.
The primary types of recyclable packaging encompass paper and cardboard, bubble wrap, void-fill packing, as well as pouches and envelopes. Cardboard, defined as heavy-duty thick sheets of paper, is commonly used in the manufacturing of boxes and signs. Various materials utilized in recyclable packaging include glass, paper, plastic, tinplate, wood, aluminum, biodegradable plastics, and recycled papers. Industries benefiting from recyclable packaging solutions include healthcare, the food and beverage industry, and the personal care sector.
The recyclable packaging market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides recyclable packaging market statistics, including recyclable packaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a recyclable packaging market share, detailed recyclable packaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the recyclable packaging industry. This recyclable packaging market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The recyclable packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $31.6 billion in 2024 to $33.34 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to environmental awareness and sustainability, growth in consumer demand for eco-friendly products, expansion of the circular economy and recycling infrastructure, development of eco-conscious packaging materials, regulatory standards for recycling and waste reduction.
The recyclable packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $43.65 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to customized recyclable packaging solutions for specific products, integration of smart packaging and traceability, sustainable and biodegradable packaging materials, expansion in zero-waste and closed-loop packaging, and adoption of reusable and refillable packaging concepts. Major trends in the forecast period include regulatory compliance in recyclable packaging standards, smart and interactive recyclable packaging solutions, personalized packaging for individual consumer preferences, transparency in packaging material sourcing and disposal, integration of ai in sustainable packaging design.
The growing implementation of stringent regulations for the use of recyclable packaging materials is anticipated to drive the growth of the recyclable packaging market in the future. Governments worldwide are enforcing strict rules to promote the adoption of recyclable packaging materials, aiming to reduce plastic landfill, enhance waste management, and foster sustainable business practices. For example, in October 2022, the Australian Packaging Covenant Organization reported that during an Environment Ministers' Meeting, ministers reached an agreement to reform packaging regulations by 2025. This reform aims to ensure that all packaging available in Australia is designed for safe recovery, reuse, recycling, and reprocessing in alignment with circular economy principles. Such regulatory changes in Australia present a significant opportunity to enhance packaging design and accelerate material circularity for the 6.3 million tonnes of packaging introduced to the Australian market each year. Therefore, the increasingly strict regulations for adopting recyclable packaging materials are expected to elevate the demand for recyclable packaging throughout the forecast period.
The recyclable packaging market is poised for growth due to the surging popularity of the e-commerce industry. The e-commerce sector, involving the online buying and selling of goods and services, is witnessing a notable rise in consumer awareness regarding environmental concerns. Both e-commerce companies and consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainable packaging solutions to address these concerns. Notably, in 2022, 65% of consumers expected to use online purchasing platforms more frequently, with projected e-commerce revenues reaching $6.3 trillion by 2024. The rising prominence of the e-commerce industry is a key driver behind the growth of the recyclable packaging market.
Eco-friendly packaging has become a significant trend in the recyclable packaging market. This type of packaging is biodegradable, recyclable, reusable, non-toxic, and made from recycled materials. Utilizing eco-friendly packaging helps reduce carbon footprints and encourages green living, conserving energy while also preventing air, water, and noise pollution. For example, in November 2023, Berry Global Group, Inc., a US-based manufacturer of plastic packaging products, introduced a new line of reusable bottles made entirely from post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) for The Bio-D Co., a UK-based company specializing in eco-friendly cleaning products. The bottles, which come in sizes of 25 ounces, 33 ounces, and 1.3 gallons, are designed for Bio-D's liquid products, including laundry detergent, fabric conditioner, dishwasher rinse aid, dish soap, and home and garden cleaner. In line with Bio-D's commitment to offering natural, non-toxic cleaning alternatives, these PCR bottles can be refilled at over 300 refill stores across the UK. Additionally, at the end of their lifecycle, the bottles are recyclable, contributing to a reduction of annual CO2 emissions by 14.3 tons compared to the use of virgin plastic.
Strategic partnerships are playing a crucial role in the development of sustainable and recyclable packaging solutions in the recyclable packaging market. These partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's strengths and resources for mutual benefits and success. In June 2023, Pact Group, an Australian plastic recycler and sustainable packaging manufacturer, entered into a strategic partnership with ALDI Australia, a leading Australian grocery retailer. Pact Group will provide ALDI's supply partners with access to more sustainable packaging options for the retailer's exclusive brand products, covering items like milk bottles, meat trays, fruit and vegetable punnets, beverage bottles, and shampoo bottles.
In May 2022, Smurfit Kappa, a UK-based corrugated packaging manufacturing company, acquired Atlas Packaging, a sustainable corrugated packaging manufacturer in the UK. This acquisition enhances Smurfit Kappa's ability to deliver innovative and sustainable packaging solutions to the UK market and its customers.
Major companies operating in the recyclable packaging market include Amcor PLC, Tetra Laval International SA, Ardagh Group SA, Ball Corporation, Elopak AS, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Mondi Plc, Sealed Air Corp, Plastipak Holdings Inc., Uflex Ltd., David S. Smith Plc, Smurfit Kappa Group Plc, WestRock Co., Huhtamaki Group, Berry Global Group Inc., Gerresheimer Group AG, Sonoco Products Company, Crown Cork & Seal Company Inc., International Paper and Power Corp, Stora Enso Oyj, Graphic Packaging Holding Company, Reynolds Group Holdings Ltd., National Amalgamated Packaging Ltd., BWAY Corporation, Silgan Holdings Inc., AptarGroup Inc., Owens-Illinois Inc., Greif Inc., Pratt Holdings Proprietary Ltd., Evergreen Packaging LLC
Western Europe was the largest region in the recyclable packaging market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the recyclable packaging market share during the forecast period. The regions covered in the recyclable packaging market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the recyclable packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, and USA.
The recyclable packaging market consists of sales of biodegradable packaging, corrugated bubble wrap and cornstarch packaging. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Recyclable Packaging Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on recyclable packaging market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for recyclable packaging ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The recyclable packaging market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.