PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931497
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931497
PCR plastic packaging refers to packaging materials crafted from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics, originating from discarded plastic products used by consumers. These materials play a pivotal role in diminishing the reliance on virgin plastic production, thereby promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to packaging.
The primary materials utilized in PCR plastic packaging encompass polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and other variants. PET, for instance, is renowned for its transparency, lightweight nature, strength, and recyclability, making it a popular choice in PCR plastic packaging. This packaging format encompasses diverse forms such as pouches, rollstock, bags, films, and wraps, and finds application across various industries including food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, homecare, toiletries, electronics, and 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 pcr plastic packaging market by increasing costs of imported recycled resins, processing equipment, additives, and quality control technologies. Food, beverage, and personal care packaging segments in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on cross-border recycled material flows, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressures in recycling infrastructure imports. These tariffs are increasing packaging costs and limiting material availability. However, they are also accelerating domestic recycling capacity expansion, local resin production, and long-term circular economy development.
The pcr plastic packaging market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides pcr plastic packaging market statistics, including pcr plastic packaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a pcr plastic packaging market share, detailed pcr plastic packaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the pcr plastic packaging industry. This pcr plastic packaging 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 pcr plastic packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $54.73 billion in 2025 to $58.21 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising plastic waste generation, early adoption of recycled plastics in packaging, expansion of collection and recycling programs, increasing sustainability commitments by brands, availability of basic recycled plastic materials.
The pcr plastic packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $75.07 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing regulatory enforcement on recycled content, rising investments in chemical recycling, growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions, expansion of food-grade pcr applications, increasing collaboration across recycling value chains. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of post-consumer recycled plastic packaging, rising demand for high-quality pcr resins, growing integration of recycled content mandates, expansion of advanced plastic recycling technologies, enhanced focus on circular packaging models.
The expansion of e-commerce activities is expected to drive the growth of the PCR plastic packaging market in the coming years. E-commerce activities include online buying and selling, digital payment systems, and a variety of transaction models that have transformed modern commerce through the internet. PCR plastic is widely used in e-commerce shipping applications such as mailers, bubble wrap, and protective packaging, as it offers durability while supporting environmental responsibility by reducing reliance on virgin plastics. For example, in November 2023, according to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau, part of the United States Department of Commerce, retail e-commerce sales in the United States reached approximately $284.1 billion in the third quarter of 2023, representing a 2.3% increase compared with the second quarter of 2023. Therefore, the rapid growth of e-commerce activities is driving the expansion of the PCR plastic packaging market.
Major companies operating in the PCR plastic packaging market are increasingly emphasizing innovative product development and sustainable branding, including the introduction of 100% PCR bottles, to enhance environmental sustainability by using post-consumer recycled materials. Bottles made entirely from post-consumer recycled plastic demonstrate a strong commitment to circular economy principles and reduced environmental impact. For instance, in November 2023, Berry Global Group, Inc., a US-based plastic packaging manufacturer, launched a range of reusable bottles made entirely from post-consumer recycled plastic for The Bio-D Co., a UK-based eco-friendly cleaning products company. These bottles are available in 25-ounce, 33-ounce, and 1.3-gallon sizes for products such as laundry detergent, fabric conditioner, dishwasher rinse aid, dish soap, and home and garden cleaners. Bio-D plans to distribute these bottles through more than 300 refill stores across the UK, allowing consumers to reuse and recycle packaging. The use of PCR bottles helps reduce carbon emissions, cutting approximately 14.3 tons of CO2 annually compared with virgin plastic packaging.
In August 2024, Dow Inc., a US-based manufacturing company, acquired Circulus Holdings for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Dow aimed to expand its mechanical recycling capabilities and strengthen its supply of high-quality post-consumer resin for sustainable plastic packaging solutions. Circulus Holdings PBLLC is a US-based recycling and manufacturing company specializing in the production of food-grade and non-food-grade post-consumer resin derived from recycled low-density polyethylene and linear low-density polyethylene for use in flexible packaging and related applications.
Major companies operating in the pcr plastic packaging market are Amcor Limited, Berry Global Group Inc., Mondi Group, DS Smith Plc, Sonoco Products Company, Silgan Holdings Inc., Silgan Dispensing Systems, Pactiv Evergeen Inc., Sealed Air Corporation, Huhtamaki Oyj, Inteplast Group, Plastipak Holdings Inc., Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH, INDEVCO, Printpack Inc., Coveris Holdings S.A., Charter Next Generation Inc., ProAmpac Holdings Inc., Winpak Ltd., Greif Inc., Alpha Packaging Holdings Inc., NEX Films, Genpak LLC, Envision Plastics, Palcon Corporation, Spectra Packaging Solutions Ltd., Reflex Packaging Inc., Kelly Green Products, Mills River
Europe was the largest region in the PCR plastic packaging market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the pcr plastic packaging market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the pcr plastic packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The PCR plastic packaging market consists of sales of PCR plastic bottles, PCR plastic containers, PCR plastic tubs, and PCR plastic trays. 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.
PCR Plastic Packaging 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 pcr plastic packaging 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 pcr plastic packaging ? 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 pcr plastic packaging 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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