Global Plastic Containers Market: Expected to Reach 30M Tons in Volume and $142.2B in Value by 2035 - News and Statistics - IndexBox

Apr 02, 2025

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IndexBox has just published a new report: World - Plastic Containers - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.

The global plastic container market is anticipated to continue its upward consumption trend, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.2% in volume and +2.7% in value from 2024 to 2035. This growth is attributed to the rising demand for plastic containers worldwide, leading to a significant increase in market volume and value by the end of 2035.

Driven by increasing demand for plastic containers worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 30M tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $142.2B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

In 2024, global consumption of plastic containers stood at 23M tons, leveling off at 2023 figures. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 24M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global plastic container market revenue totaled $106B in 2024, picking up by 2% against 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 +3.0% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the market value increased by 9.9%. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $109.9B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of plastic container consumption was China (4.9M tons), accounting for 21% of total volume. Moreover, plastic container consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (2M tons), twofold. The United States (1.6M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 6.9% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +3.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+3.5% per year) and the United States (-2.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($30.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($9B). It was followed by the United States.

In China, the plastic container market expanded at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+3.2% per year) and the United States (-0.8% per year).

In 2024, the highest levels of plastic container per capita consumption was registered in Italy (22 kg per person), followed by Germany (8.9 kg per person), Japan (8.1 kg per person) and Russia (5.4 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of plastic container was estimated at 2.9 kg per person.

In Italy, plastic container per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the period from 2013-2024. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Germany (+3.7% per year) and Japan (+4.1% per year).

Global plastic container production totaled 24M tons in 2024, surging by 2.3% against the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 12%. Global production peaked at 24M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plastic container production stood at $108.3B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 12%. Global production peaked at $112.1B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of plastic container production was China (5.2M tons), comprising approx. 22% of total volume. Moreover, plastic container production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (2M tons), threefold. The United States (1.6M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.8% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China totaled +3.4%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (+3.5% per year) and the United States (-1.9% per year).

In 2024, purchases abroad of plastic containers decreased by -19.5% to 2.2M tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 34%. Global imports peaked at 2.9M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plastic container imports dropped to $9.9B in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at $11.1B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

Mexico (353K tons) and the United States (253K tons) represented the key importers of plastic containers in 2024, resulting at near 16% and 12% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Germany (104K tons), creating a 4.8% share of total imports. Canada (97K tons), China (69K tons), South Korea (65K tons), the Netherlands (64K tons), France (57K tons), Singapore (56K tons) and the UK (55K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for South Korea (with a CAGR of +11.6%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($1.9B) constitutes the largest market for imported plastic containers worldwide, comprising 19% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($830M), with an 8.4% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 6.3% share.

In the United States, plastic container imports increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mexico (+7.2% per year) and Germany (+1.9% per year).

In 2024, the average plastic container import price amounted to $4,584 per ton, increasing by 18% against the previous year. Over the last eleven-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.2%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($7,401 per ton), while Mexico ($2,349 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+18.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, overseas shipments of plastic containers decreased by -6.7% to 2.3M tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Overall, total exports indicated a perceptible increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports decreased by -28.6% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 25% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 3.2M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plastic container exports reduced to $10.1B in 2024. Over the period under review, total exports indicated noticeable growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports decreased by -9.1% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 17%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $11.1B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

China (375K tons), Mexico (273K tons), the United States (232K tons), Malaysia (159K tons), Canada (146K tons) and Germany (98K tons) represented roughly 57% of total exports in 2024. The following exporters - South Korea (64K tons), France (62K tons), Spain (60K tons) and the Netherlands (58K tons) - each resulted at an 11% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($2.1B), the United States ($1.6B) and Mexico ($720M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, with a combined 44% share of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, China, with a CAGR of +9.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, the average plastic container export price amounted to $4,472 per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate modest growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 an increase of 29% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $4,526 per ton, and then contracted in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($7,048 per ton), while Malaysia ($1,749 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+4.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global plastic container market. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries:

+ the largest producing countries

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

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A Quick Overview of Market Performance

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Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

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The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

The Largest Importers on The Market and How They Succeed

The Largest Exporters on The Market and How They Succeed

The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

The Largest Markets And Their Profiles