PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1929939
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1929939
Commodity plastics, comprising single polymers, are cost-effective with no exceptional mechanical properties. They're used for single-use applications such as disposable plates, medical trays, clothing, and reusable bags.
Commodity plastics encompass several key types such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and poly (Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA). Polyethylene, a thermoplastic polymer, finds applications in packaging films, rubbish bags, and supermarket bags. Its variable crystalline structure allows for a wide array of uses depending on the specific type. These plastics, available in reusable and recyclable forms, serve diverse industries such as packaging, construction, consumer goods, automotive, electronics, textiles, medical and pharmaceutical, among others.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs are impacting the commodity plastics market by increasing costs of imported polymer resins, additives, and processing equipment used in polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, and polystyrene production. Packaging, consumer goods, and automotive segments in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing volatility in export-driven plastic supply. These tariffs are raising material costs and compressing margins for manufacturers. However, they are also encouraging domestic resin production, regional sourcing of feedstocks, and investments in recycling and circular plastic manufacturing.
The commodity plastics market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides commodity plastics market statistics, including commodity plastics industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a commodity plastics market share, detailed commodity plastics market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the commodity plastics industry. This commodity plastics market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The commodity plastics market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $557.92 billion in 2025 to $596.48 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of mass consumer goods manufacturing, availability of low-cost polymer feedstocks, growth of plastic packaging usage, increasing adoption in consumer products, expansion of global plastic production capacity.
The commodity plastics market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $765.67 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising regulatory pressure on plastic waste, increasing shift toward recyclable plastics, growing demand from automotive lightweighting, expansion of sustainable material alternatives, increasing investments in plastic recycling infrastructure. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for cost-efficient plastic materials, rising use of recyclable commodity plastics, expansion of high-volume plastic production, growing adoption in single-use applications, enhanced focus on lightweight plastic products.
The rapid growth of the construction industry is expected to propel the commodity plastics market in the coming years. The construction sector involves a wide array of activities related to structural and infrastructure planning, design, development, and construction. Commodity plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene are widely used in pipes, insulation, wiring conduits, and fixtures due to their affordability, durability, and lightweight properties, which enhance performance and efficiency across construction projects. For instance, in November 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, an autonomous agency responsible for data collection and analysis, total construction work increased by 1.3% to $64,768.7 million, while building work rose by 0.2% to $34,300.2 million. Therefore, the rapid growth of the construction industry is driving the commodity plastics market.
Sustainability is shaping innovation in the commodity plastics market, with companies developing eco-friendly plastics to reduce environmental impact and meet the rising demand for sustainable materials. Eco-friendly plastics are designed to minimize environmental harm, often derived from renewable resources or biodegradable substances, and aim to reduce pollution in landfills and oceans. For instance, in March 2023, LG Chem, a South Korea-based chemicals company, launched Polyethylene Carbonate (PEC), developed in partnership with COSMAX. PEC is an eco-friendly plastic produced from carbon dioxide and ethylene oxide, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. It is primarily used in cosmetic containers and food packaging, supporting a reduced carbon footprint and environmental initiatives.
In February 2025, Berry Global Inc., a US-based manufacturing company, acquired CMG Plastics, a US-based producer of rigid plastic containers, bottles, and closures, for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to expand Berry Global's consumer packaging portfolio and strengthen its presence in the rigid plastic packaging segment.
Major companies operating in the commodity plastics market are China Petrochemical Corporation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, ENI SpA, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Reliance Industries Ltd., BASF SE, The Dow Chemical International Private Limited, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Qatar Petroleum, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., LG Chem Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Systems Inc., Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., INEOS Group, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, Westlake Corp., Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, Braskem India Private Limited, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Eastman Chemical Company, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Borealis AG, Nova Chemicals Corp., Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd., Qenos Pty Ltd., Hanwha Chemical India Private Limited, Lotte Chemical Engineering Plastics Private Limited
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the commodity plastics market in 2025. The regions covered in the commodity plastics market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the commodity plastics market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The commodity plastics market consists of sales of nylon, phenol formaldehyde resins, general purpose polystyrene, magnetic tape, acetate film. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Commodity Plastics Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses commodity plastics market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for commodity plastics ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The commodity plastics market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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