Single Use Plastic Packaging Market Forecasts to 2028 - Global Analysis By Product, By Material Type, By Type, By Application, By End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Single Use Plastic Packaging Market is accounted for $24.42 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $38.97 billion by 2028 growing at a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period. Single-use plastic containers are made of disposable plastic that can be recycled after use or thrown away. Examples of these products include plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, water bottles, and the majority of food packaging. One of the most important selling aspects of these packages is their accessibility, which lowers the cost for end consumers. The safety and hygienic qualities of the single-use plastic package, together with the fact that it makes perishable goods last longer and is simple to distribute and display in grocery shops, are some of its primary benefits.

According to Business Insider, online packaged food sales in the United States are expected to reach USD 166 billion in 2021 from USD 6 billion in 2012. The growth in end-user industry consumption is also increasing the demand for single-use packaging.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Emerging online food delivery

Due to costs, operational difficulties, and various state regulations, eliminating single-use plastics is a time- and money-consuming process for many businesses that use the online food delivery method. Additionally, restaurants use more than 36 billion throwaway utensils a year and produce almost three-fourths of all disposable packaging in the US, including plastic cutlery. However, the ban on single-use plastics might compel companies that transport food to utilize different kinds of packaging. It is anticipated that the market for online food delivery services will expand rapidly. As a result, the market for single-use plastic is also anticipated to grow.

Restraint:

Stringent government laws

In response to public concerns about packaging waste, particularly plastic packaging waste, all governments are passing regulations to reduce environmental waste and improve waste management practises. 16 states in the US have enacted statewide legislation limiting packaging waste, with the majority focusing on single-use plastics. There are several other bills that should be passed within the projected timeframe. The European region has made far greater progress than other regions in terms of sustainability. Common throwaway plastic items like straws and cutlery that can be substituted for more ecologically friendly alternatives by using single-use plastic packaging have been banned by the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), which took effect on July 3, 2021.

Opportunity:

Convenience and utility

Because of their adaptability, lightness, stability, impermeability, and simplicity of sterilisation, single-use plastics are a commercially viable packaging material. It is persistent despite all the environmental issues raised by single-use plastic packaging. Aluminium, glass, and metals can all be used in place of plastic since they are more likely to be recycled, but they often weigh a lot more and require more energy to process. Paper-based materials, on the other hand, are lighter but might not be the most suitable choice for the complex needs of food and beverage packaging.

Threat:

Chemicals in plastic are hazardous

Since such chemicals are easily absorbed into our bloodstream, they can have severe effects on the endocrine system. The chemicals produced when plastic is used are the root of many illnesses, including cancer, infertility, congenital impairments, reduced immunity, and many others. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 93% of urine samples from adults over the age of six contained BPA (bisphenol A). This chemical, which is used to produce plastic toys, dinnerware, food cans, and beverage containers, has the potential to be extremely harmful.

COVID-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 epidemic significantly reduced the sales of single-use packaging. Although many nations were gradually banning such packaging while promoting the use of reusable packaging, the outbreak altered either consumers' or governments felt about them. The demand for nutritive drinks and nutritious food surged significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of these goods are packaged in single-use plastic packaging. Globally, the orders were so huge that the manufacturers and packaging firms in the industry even extended their facilities, with help from the majority of governments.

The polythene segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

Because it is one of the most frequently produced polymers globally and is a lightweight, strong thermoplastic with a flexible crystalline structure, polythene (PE) segment will continue to have the largest share of the market during the projection period. Plastic sheet wraps and bags are made from polyethylene for packaging purposes. Ethylene, a byproduct of natural gas or petroleum, serves as the foundation material for polyethylene bags. Additionally, these plastic resins go through a process called polymerization, which combines a number of plastic or polymer monomers worldwide.

The bottles segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Since plastic single-use beverage bottles are one of the most popular types of beverage containers, the bottle segment is expected to grow at a rapid pace over the projection period. Plastic is used to make some of the most common types of beverage bottles. In a number of product sectors, PET bottles are becoming more prevalent. However, due to their low cost, light weight, and ongoing improvements in printing technology, PET bottles are becoming more and more popular with high-end consumers.

Region with largest share:

Because the food service sector is one of the well-known end-user industries that accounts for a significant amount of the cups and lids consumed by consumers, North America is anticipated to have the largest share throughout the projected period. The popularity of online food delivery services increased the need for food cups. The United States is the second-largest market for food globally among regions. Moreover, about 40% of all plastics are used for food packaging. Additionally, the US Census Bureau estimates that $6.02 million was spent on food service in the US overall.

Region with highest CAGR:

Due to its numerous end-use industry sectors and its prominence as a major investor in and adopter of single-use packaging, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR throughout the forecast period. Additionally, due to the growing popularity of pre-packaged meals, the expansion of supermarkets and restaurants, and the increased use of bottled water and other beverages, the regional market is anticipated to grow. These elements are enhancing the regional growth over the extrapolated period.

Key players in the market:

Some of the key players in Single Use Plastic Packaging market include: Amcor PLC, Ampac Holding, Ardagh Group S.A., Bemis Company Inc., Berry Global Inc., Coveris S.A, Dart Container Corporation, Flextrus AB, Graphic Packaging International Inc., Sealed Air Corporation, Snapsil Corporation, Transcontinental Inc., Ukrplastic, Winpak Limited and Zipz Inc.

Key Developments:

In July 2021, Graphic Packaging Holding Company launched OptiCycle, a line of non-polyethylene (PE) coated, single-use foodservice packaging, which is an alternative to classic PE and polylactic acid (PLA) coated products. The solution is to be commercialized in North America by a local supplier and designed to be easily recyclable by allowing the smooth separation of the liquid barrier layer from the paper.

In May 2021, European thermoforming packaging specialist Waddington Europe, a division of Novolex, upgraded its TamperVisible range of protective packaging products by adding a pioneered Hot Fill option. The TamperVisible range of products reassures the end-user that the food inside is as safe as the day it was prepared.

In May 2021, Interfor Corporation signed an agreement with Georgia-Pacific Wood Products LLC and GP Wood Products LLC to acquire four sawmill operations located in Bay Springs, Miss., Fayette, Ala., DeQuincy, La., and Philomath, Ore. The total purchase price of USD 375 million, including working capital, will be funded entirely from cash on hand.

Products Covered:

• Trays, Cups, & Lids
• Clamshells
• Bottles
• Other Products

Material Types Covered:

• Glass
• Plastic
• Paper and Paperboard
• Wood
• Metals
• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polylactic Acid (PLA)
• High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
• Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
• Polystyrene (PS)
• Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
• Other Material Types

Types Covered:

• Bags
• Pouches
• Films
• Sachets
• Rigid
• Other Types

Applications Covered:

• Thermoforming
• Blow Molding
• Extrusion
• Injection Molding
• Other Applications

End Users Covered:

• Food & Beverage
• Home Care
• Health Care
• Personal Care
• Pharmaceutical
• Quick-Service Restaurants
• Full-Service Restaurants
• Institutional
• Retail
• Industrial Packaging
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025, and 2028
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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