By 2034 the packaging industry will be worth nearly $1.8 trillion, with a CAGR of 3.9% between 2028 and 2034
Fibre-based packaging is the largest group, with 39.8% of total packaging material consumption in 2023; 37.4% is plastic, metal accounts for 11.9%, while glass makes up 4.6%.
Over the next decade, moulded pulp is expected to see the highest CAGR due to its wide range of applications and low EPR fees. Board will continue to be a popular choice due to its raw materials being renewable, the ease of recycling and low EPR fees. Flexible plastics are expected to continue to be popular due to high performance, low weight, low cost and expected investment in recycling infrastructure.
'Sustainable packaging' is developed using eco-design principles, minimising the environmental and social impacts at every stage of its lifecycle. Sustainable packaging has a lower carbon footprint from reduced, or eliminated, use of fossil raw materials. It maximises the use of post-consumer recycled content without compromising the opportunity for the materials used in its production to be utilized on multiple occasions, whether via reuse, recycling or composting.
Key Questions:
How will the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) affect packaging design, material recovery, and brand owner strategies across the next 10 years?
What will sustainable packaging look like in 10 years' time?
How will the market react to the competing claims of a new generation of fibre-based materials, PCR plastic formats, bioplastics, and packaging made from alternative fibre sources?
Where and when will chemical (advanced) recycling become a viable option for cutting the carbon impact of packaging?
This report is essential to:
Packaging raw material suppliers
Packaging converters and manufacturers
Retailers and brand owners
Table of Contents
Executive summary
Introduction and methodology
Introduction
Report objective
What is sustainable packaging?
Market segmentation
Packaging materials
Geographies
End-use segments
Methodology
Data and forecasting methodology
Scope
Glossary
Acronyms used
What is sustainable packaging?
Definition and market overview
Packaging lifecycle
Raw materials
Manufacturing
Transport
Packaging in-use
End of life
What is the outlook for paper vs plastic packaging?
Key market trends and drivers
Overview and key conclusions
Regional regulation and legislation
European Union
Europe - Local level legislation
On-pack labelling
OPRL (on-pack recycling logo)
Technological influences
Digital product passports (DPP)
Other packaging data management software
Packaging supplier and material developments
Overview and key conclusions
Paper and board
Supplier consolidation
Barrier-coated paper and board
Paper-based transit packaging
Other fibre-based and cellulose-based packaging
Flexible plastics
Mono-material flexible plastics
Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging - an industry-funded association driving circularity in flexible plastics
Rigid plastics
PET, HDPE and PP
Bioplastics
Case study - Compostable Coalition UK (CCUK)
Alternative materials
Seaweed based packaging materials
Other plant-based materials
Traceless Materials
Fiberpac - miscanthus-based packaging
Papierfabrik Meldorf GmbH - grass-based materials
Plant Proteins
Materials from waste
ReStalk
Releaf
HUID materials made from onion waste
Metal packaging
Aluminium
Reusable and refillable packaging
Reusable e-commerce packaging case studies
Consumer products reuse case studies
Packaging users
Overview and key conclusions
Voluntary commitments
Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) - Global Commitment
Brand owner mini case studies
Food packaging
Beverages
Healthcare
Personal care
Other consumer
E-commerce packaging
Retail packaging developments
IKEA
Tesco
Aldi
Iceland
End-of-life solutions
Overview and key conclusions
Collection of packaging waste
Sorting packaging waste
Enhanced optical recognition - digital watermarks and electronic tagging