Global Recycled Plastic Market - 2023-2030

Overview

Global Recycled Plastic Market reached US$ 48.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 95.5 billion by 2030, growing with a CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period 2023-2030.

The global market for recycled plastic is a dynamic rapidly developing industry, driven by environmental concerns, regulatory limitations and the rising demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products.

Due to recent advancements in plastic recycling technologies that allow for improved quality and safety of post-consumer recycled plastics intended for food packaging applications it has created growth prospects for the packaging industry to grow double the share in the forecast period. Furthermore, the high price of crude oil, a feedstock for the petrochemicals used in the manufacture of plastics has encouraged the use of recycled plastics for food packaging in recent years and will probably increase in coming years.

In 2022, the polyethylene product segment dominated the market and accounted for over 30.4% of globally revenue. The increased need for packaging materials in consumer goods, food and beverage, industrial and numerous other industries is responsible for this high share. It is also frequently used in milk cartons, chopping boards, rubbish bins and packaging for laundry detergents, among many other things.

Dynamics

Government Regulations and Policies

The government globally has built regulations and policies to boost the recycled plastic market by creating a positive environment for sustainable practices leading to improved adoption of recycled plastics. Bans or restrictions on single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, straws and cutlery, have been imposed in several nations and regions which has acted as a major step towards the adoption of recycled plastic practices. The restrictions promote the use of substitute, more environmentally friendly materials, such as recycled plastics.

The "Maximising Resources, Minimising Waste" campaign, which was unveiled in July 2023, is one of the strategies the European Government has outlined to improve recycling and encourage the repair and reuse of already existing materials. The combines several policies supported by public money to assist in maintaining goods and resources in use as long as feasible and at their optimum worth, expanding the economy and enhancing employment.

A tax of more than £200 per Tons on plastic packaging made in UK or imported there that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic was also instituted by the government in April 2022. There is still work to be done, however, which is why the government is implementing a deposit return program for beverage containers to encourage the recycling of billions more plastic bottles and prevent their disposal in landfills, incinerators or as litter, in addition to plans to streamline recycling collection processes for every home and business in England.

Key Player's Investment and Product Launch

The recycled plastic industry is mostly driven by the investments and product launches of key competitors. By improving the availability of recycled plastic materials, extending the range of applications for them and promoting sustainability, these activities help the industry flourish.

Major companies are constantly launching new recycled plastics-based goods and materials. The consist of consumer goods, textiles, building supplies and packaging materials. The need for recycled plastics is stimulated across industries by product diversification.

For instance, on January 16, 2020, Nestle stated that it would invest up to CHF 2 billion to help pioneer the transition from virgin plastics to food-grade recycled plastics and to accelerate the creation of novel sustainable packaging solutions. Nestle will cut its usage of virgin plastics by one-third in 2025, building on its 2018 commitment to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable, while also collaborating with others to promote the circular economy and strive to clean up plastic trash from seas, lakes and rivers.

Regulatory Challenges

Due to frequent modifications, the regulatory framework for the plastic recycling business can be complicated. The laws and regulations, which differ by nation and region, outline specifications for product safety and make recommendations for the use of recycled plastic in product packaging. Products made from recycled plastic must meet the specifications outlined in the relevant national or regional legislation or guidelines to be sold.

When it comes to recycled plastic, U.S., Europe and India have all chosen different strategies. In U.S., recycled plastic can be used in packaging and food-contact wrapping without obtaining approval (though it is advised). The is provided that it meets the same quality standards as virgin plastic. Europe, on the other hand, is taking a much harder approach by going over each step of the recycling process.

Additionally, in the European Union, nations are required to comply with norms at three different levels: national, European and international. Last but not least, India supports other applications but is not yet ready to trust the use of recycled plastic in products that come into contact with food. Thus changing regulation from country to country acts as a major hurdle for the key players to build revenue globally leading to restraining the market growth.

Segment Analysis

The global recycled plastic market is segmented based on type, plastic type, source, process, end-user and region.

Growing Investment by Key Players in Developing PET Recycled Plastic

PET recycled plastic is a growing market based on plastic types and is expected to cover more than 40.9% market share in the forecast period. PET, also known as polyethylene terephthalate, is a popular plastic material valued for its strength, clarity and recyclable nature. The term "PET recycled plastic" describes the procedure of collecting, sanitizing and recycling PET plastic trash to make new materials and goods. Companies are also investing in bringing the latest recycled PET plastic to the market.

For instance, in 2022, Continental will allow the creation of tires using reprocessed polyester made from recycled plastic bottles. Through a mechanical process, the new environmentally friendly polyester yarn will be produced from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and utilized to make the tire carcass. The can entirely take the place of traditional polyester.

Furthermore, Kao Corporation will employ chemically recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material produced by PET Refine Technology Co., Ltd., a group subsidiary of JEPLAN, Inc., for its cosmetics bottle containers as part of its efforts to achieve plastic circularity in society. Beginning in June 2021, it will gradually introduce this material, starting with the bottles for its Twany cosmetics line.

Geographical Penetration

Expanding Automotive Industry and Rising Packaging Sector in Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific has been a dominant force in the global recycled plastic market which has covered nearly 45.1% of 2022 in terms of revenue. The packaging industry is expanding throughout Asia-Pacific and the sector has seen technical breakthroughs. The strong demand for consumer goods, electrical & electronics and building & construction products, particularly from China, India and Southeast Asia, is what fuels the expansion of the region's packaging business. Furthermore, it is anticipated that a flexible regulatory environment will counteract the limitations that are typically present in Western markets.

One of the biggest markets for plastic goods is India. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, 26,000 Tons of plastic garbage are produced daily. Since a significant amount of this plastic garbage is not collected and eventually ends up in the environment untreated, it is also one of the nations that is most affected by the issue of plastic pollution. Thus, the government is building regulations to reduce the plastic dominance and improve recycled plastic in the country.

The Bureau of Indian Standards is responsible for issuing regulations in India covering the use of plastic, PET and recycled PET. The detailed steps for the recovery and recycling of plastic waste are outlined in the paper IS 14534: 1998 titled "Guidelines For Recycling of Plastics." It provides a thorough explanation of the steps to take in the selection, separation and processing of waste and scrap that can be recycled.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Plastic is in high demand as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Face shields, gloves, takeaway food containers and bubble wrap are in high demand for online shopping from Wuhan to New York. Waste has increased because the majority of it cannot be recycled.

However, there is yet another effect. A pricing competition between recycled and new plastic produced by the oil industry has been intensified by the pandemic. Price information and interviews with more than twenty enterprises across five continents demonstrate that recyclers globally are losing this battle which has severely hampered the market growth.

Even recycled plastic beverage bottles-the most popular recycled plastic product-have lost some of their viability since COVID-19. Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS) market experts estimate that the cost of the recycled plastic used to create them ranges from 83% to 93% higher than the cost of new bottle-grade plastic.

Politicians from numerous nations had pledged to fight the waste produced by single-use plastics when the pandemic hit. In 2018, China, which formerly imported more than half of the plastic garbage traded globally, outlawed the import of the majority of it. From 2021, the European Union intends to outlaw numerous single-use plastic products. The American Senate is debating whether to outlaw single-use plastics and whether to set mandatory recycling goals which has created more questions on the recycled plastic market growth in the forecast period.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine might have several effects on the world market for recycled plastic. In the chemical and industrial industries, Russia and Ukraine are important actors. Global supply networks, particularly those in the market for recycled plastic, might be disrupted as a result of the war and the attendant geopolitical tensions. The export of plastic garbage to recycling facilities and the shipment of recycled plastics may also encounter delays, according to major stakeholders in the market.

Oil price changes can be caused by geopolitical unrest and have an impact on how much virgin and recycled polymers cost. The price competitiveness of recycled plastics may be impacted by price volatility in the world oil market. Trade restrictions and sanctions may have an impact on international trade in recovered plastics and plastic trash leading to hampering the market growth.

By Type

• Post Consumer Recyclate
• Industrial Recyclate

By Plastic Type

• Polyethylene
• Polyethylene Terephthalate
• Polypropylene
• Polyvinyl Chloride
• Polystyrene
• Others

By Source

• Bottles
• Films
• Foams
• Fibers
• Others

By Process

• Mechanical
• Chemicals
• Others

By End-User

• Building & Construction
• Packaging
• Electrical & Electronics
• Textiles
• Automotive
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• On 9 February 2023, To promote circularity in the markets for heavy-use packaging, TotalEnergies and Ecolab are teaming up to introduce plastic packaging that uses recycled material. The launch is the result of close cooperation to supply TotalEnergies RE use rPE6314 grade - within the RE:clic portfolio of circular polymers - in the MAXX S range for Facility care. The launch marks the introduction of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic into primary packaging for highly concentrated cleaning products. It is part of a bigger initiative by both businesses to promote waste prevention solutions and safeguard people, the environment and businesses.
• On 27 July 2022, The two largest North American brands of The Coca-Cola Company are making significant efforts to support a circular economy for plastic packaging. To improve the possibility that the material will be used to make new beverage bottles, Sprite is switching from green to clear plastic, while DASANI is introducing bottles that are constructed entirely from recycled PET plastic (caps and labels are excluded).
• By 2022, PepsiCo plans to completely phase out virgin plastic from all Pepsi brand beverage bottles distributed in nine European Union countries. The company will use recycled polyethylene terephthalate, sometimes known as "rPET," to package the full line of beverages sold under that name. PepsiCo will also keep working to expand refill and reuse solutions like SodaStream.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include: Covetsro AG, REMONDIS SE & Co. KG, Biffa, Stericycle, Republic Services, Inc., WM Intellectual Property Holdings, L.L.C., Veolia, Shell International B.V., Waste Connections, CLEAN HARBORS, INC and others.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global recycled plastic market segmentation based on type, plastic type, source, process, end-user and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of recycled plastic market-level with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as Excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global recycled plastic market report would provide approximately 77 tables, 84 figures and 206 Pages.

Target Audience 2023

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies