PUBLISHER: AnalystView Market Insights | PRODUCT CODE: 1877393
PUBLISHER: AnalystView Market Insights | PRODUCT CODE: 1877393
Automatic plastic recycling market size was valued at US$ 15,745.56 Million in 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2025 to 2032.
Automatic Plastic Recycling Market is the international business focused on plastic waste recycling using sophisticated automatic technologies and equipment. It uses technology such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and machine learning to recognize, sort, and process plastics of various types with speed and accuracy and minimize human interaction and enhance operating efficiency. This sector plays an important part in mitigating the increasing environmental issues with plastic waste, landfill contamination, and ocean pollution. By conducting proper segregation of plastics such as PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, and PVC, automated recycling attains better purity rates, reduces impurities, and promotes the circular economy by transforming wasted plastics into reusable raw materials. As global plastic waste management and sustainability regulations continue to escalate, packaging, automotive, textile, and consumer goods industries are now turning more towards automated recycling technologies. In total, the automatic plastic recycling industry plays a major role in conserving resources, lowering costs, and minimizing carbon footprints globally.
Automatic Plastic Recycling Market- Market Dynamics
Technologies Driving Efficiency in Plastic Recycling Systems
Technological advancement is a key growth driver for the market of automatic plastic recycling. New-generation recycling machines use artificial intelligence-based sensors, optical separators, and robot arms to sort different types of plastics with precision, thereby ensuring high recovery rates. Improved shredders, washing plants, and extruders boost efficiency in processing while minimizing manual intervention and labor expense. IoT-based monitoring and intelligent automation enable the real-time monitoring of operations, predictive maintenance, and process refinement. Machine learning algorithm integration supports prediction of material flow and detection of contaminants to produce more quality recycled products.
Ongoing advancements in energy-saving systems lower operational costs and environmental footprint. Such advances make large-scale industrial, municipal, and commercial recycling possible while supporting compliance with more stringent international environmental regulations. With R&D picking up speed and more producers adopting state-of-the-art technologies, the marketplace is experiencing greater throughput, improved utilization of resources, and improved quality recycled plastic production, rendering automated solutions even more appealing globally.
For Instance,
In March 2025, Tomra Sorting, a global leader in recycling technologies, launched its Autosort AI 5.0 system. The upgraded platform uses advanced AI and optical sensors to identify and separate multiple plastic types with higher precision and speed. This reduces contamination, increases recovery rates, and improves the overall quality of recycled plastic pellets for industrial and municipal applications.
Automatic Plastic Recycling Market- Key Insights
As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 7.8% over the forecast period (2025-2032).
Based on machine type segmentation, extruders were predicted to show the maximum market share in the year 2024.
Based on plastic type segmentation, polyethylene (PE) was the leading plastic type in 2024.
Based on automation level segmentation, fully automatic systems were the leading automation level in 2024.
Based on functionality segmentation, single function machines were the leading functionality in 2024.
Based on end user industry segmentation, packaging was the leading end user in 2024.
On the basis of region, North America was the leading revenue generator in 2024.
The global automatic plastic recycling market is segmented based on machine type, plastic type, automation level, functionality, end user industry, and region
The market is divided into five categories based on machine type: extruders, filters, granulators, shredders, and washers. The extruders segment leads the market for automatic plastic recycling because of its pivotal position in being able to process high quantities of plastic waste efficiently. Extruders transform waste plastic into homogenized recycled pellets, which can be utilized in manufacturing processes in the packaging, automotive, and consumer goods sectors. Their adaptability enables them to process different plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET, thus being viable for mixed waste streams. The machines provide uniform quality of output, reduce material wastage, and decrease processing time as compared to other recycling machinery. Increasing global demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging material has further increased the use of extruder-based systems. The latest extruders now have automation, temperature control, and real-time monitoring capabilities, improving efficiency and lowering energy consumption. Both heavy industries' large plants and municipal recycling plants are increasingly using extruders to serve regulative needs and sustainability demands. Extruders' scalability, ruggedness, and capacity to create high-grade recycled pellets make them the most desirable equipment in plastic recycling. Ongoing R&D in extruder technology should further consolidate their market dominance.
The market is divided into five categories based on end user industry: packaging, consumer goods, textiles, construction, and automotive. The packaging industry leads the market for automatic plastic recycling and is anticipated to continue the dominance throughout the forecast years. The growth is fueled by the expanding use of recycled plastics for food and beverage packaging, e-commerce packaging, and flexible packaging. Increased regulatory pressure to curb the use of single-use plastics as well as the campaign for sustainable packaging has increased the need for automated recycling systems. Customer demand for recyclable and biodegradable packaging further increases adoption across this segment. Automatic plastic recycling solutions enable manufacturers to create uniform, high-quality recycled materials at lower production costs and environmental footprint. Advanced sorting equipment, washing machines, and extrusion processes are extensively used in packaging lines to ensure industry quality. The scalability and efficiency of these solutions make them best suited for high-volume packaging operations, solidifying the segment's leadership in the market.
Automatic Plastic Recycling Market- Geographical Insights
North America dominates the global automatic plastic recycling market, holding a significant revenue share in 2024.
North America is holding largest share and leading the market. This leadership is largely attributed to the region's strict environmental regulations, mature waste management infrastructure, and rapid adoption of automated recycling technologies such as AI-enabled sorting, robotics, and advanced pelletizing systems. The United States and Canada are at the forefront of this adoption, supported by initiatives like the U.S. EPA's sustainable materials management framework and Canada's zero plastic waste strategy. Furthermore, the market is strengthened by the presence of leading recycling technology providers and global sustainability-driven corporations that are continually investing in automation to meet circular economy goals. Major players and partnerships across packaging, consumer goods, and automotive industries have ensured a steady demand for high-quality recycled plastics. North America's strong innovation ecosystem and regulatory push are expected to keep it the leading market in the near future.
Asia Pacific is estimated to register the highest CAGR in the automatic plastic recycling market during the forecast period.
Asia Pacific is fasted growing country due to rapid urbanization, rising plastic consumption, and increasing government initiatives to tackle plastic pollution in countries such as China, India, and Japan. National policies like China's Plastic Pollution Control Action Plan, India's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, and Japan's Plastic Resource Circulation Act are boosting large-scale investments in automated recycling plants. Additionally, the region benefits from a fast-growing middle-class population that is increasingly conscious of sustainability, coupled with multinational FMCG and packaging companies investing in local recycling infrastructure. The emergence of domestic recycling startups and international technology collaborations are further accelerating automation in the sector. With expanding industrial demand, government support, and improvements in collection and segregation infrastructure, Asia Pacific is projected to become the fastest-growing market for automatic plastic recycling over the next decade.
The automatic plastic recycling market is increasingly competitive, with global technology providers, recycling specialists, and regional players striving to capture the growing demand for sustainable solutions. Leading companies such as cp group, pellenc st, tomra systems, amp robotics, and buhler group are at the forefront with advanced automated sorting, AI-driven robotics, and sensor-based technologies, while recyclers like Veolia, Suez, Indorama Ventures, and Waste Management Inc. are expanding large-scale facilities to ensure steady supply of high-quality recycled plastics.
Asian players including zhangjiagang lianda machinery, genius machinery, and polystar machinery are strengthening their global presence by offering cost-effective extrusion and pelletizing equipment, particularly for emerging markets. Competition is shaped by the ability to provide high-purity outputs, integration with extended producer responsibility (EPR) frameworks, and partnerships with FMCG, packaging, and automotive industries that are under increasing pressure to use recycled content. With rising investments, acquisitions, and collaborations between recyclers and technology providers, the market is rapidly evolving toward large-scale, tech-driven recycling ecosystems.
In October 2024, Reckitt and Mondi introduced a new paper-based packaging solution for Finish dishwasher tablets. This packaging reduces plastic content by 75% and is designed to be fully sustainable. Once the initiative is completely operational, it is projected to eliminate nearly 2,000 tons of plastic waste annually, significantly contributing to environmental conservation.
In June 2024, Amazon made a strategic investment in Glacier, a robotic recycling company specializing in AI-enabled sorting of recyclables. This partnership aims to enhance automation in recycling operations, increase efficiency, and reduce contamination in sorted materials, supporting Amazon's broader sustainability goals.
In April 2024, Italian firm IREN inaugurated a state-of-the-art plastic waste sorting plant near Turin. The facility is capable of identifying and sorting 17 different types of plastics, enabling the recycling of up to 80% of incoming plastic waste. This advanced technology improves recovery rates and helps Italy meet its environmental and circular economy targets.
In May 2024, LyondellBasell signed a lease to build an advanced plastic recycling hub in Knapsack, Germany. The hub is designed to process post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste, producing 2 million metric tons of recycled and renewable-based polymers per year by 2030. This investment strengthens LyondellBasell's commitment to sustainability and circular economy initiatives in Europe.