PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931514
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931514
Plastic alternative packaging refers to packaging solutions made from a plastic-such as substance that dissolves effectively, leaving no hazardous residues. These alternatives are derived from biodegradable materials and recyclable products, offering eco-friendly options to traditional materials. Plastic alternative packaging products include innovative solutions such as biodegradable packaging, products made from recycled materials, and plant-based packaging.
The plastic alternative packaging market, as covered in this report, is segmented by type into starch-based plastic, cellulose-based plastics, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and others. The segmentation by process includes recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable options, while the segmentation by application includes food and beverage, personal care, healthcare, 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 plastic alternative packaging market by increasing costs of imported bio-polymers, starch derivatives, cellulose materials, and processing equipment used in biodegradable packaging production. Food and beverage packaging segments in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on imported bio-based raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing pressure on export-oriented packaging products. These tariffs are increasing production costs and slowing scale-up efforts. However, they are also encouraging local sourcing of bio-materials, regional production expansion, and innovation in cost-effective biodegradable packaging technologies.
The plastic alternative packaging market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides plastic alternative packaging market statistics, including plastic alternative packaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a plastic alternative packaging market share, detailed plastic alternative packaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the plastic alternative packaging industry. This plastic alternative 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 plastic alternative packaging market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $7.24 billion in 2025 to $8.53 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing environmental awareness among consumers, early adoption of biodegradable packaging in food service, growth in organic and natural product packaging, expansion of paper-based packaging alternatives, rising waste management concerns.
The plastic alternative packaging market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $16.06 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing regulatory restrictions on single-use plastics, rising investments in bio-material research, expansion of sustainable food and beverage packaging, growing demand for zero-waste packaging solutions, increasing adoption of circular economy packaging models. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of biodegradable packaging materials, rising demand for plant-based packaging solutions, growing use of compostable food packaging, expansion of recyclable and dissolvable packaging formats, enhanced focus on sustainable packaging performance.
Rising environmental concerns linked to the use of plastics are a key factor driving the growth of the plastic alternative packaging market. Plastic products contain harmful pollutants and pose serious risks to human health, wildlife, and the environment. As a result, consumers are increasingly seeking eco-friendly packaging solutions as substitutes for conventional plastic packaging. For example, in January 2024, Earth.org, a Hong Kong-based non-governmental organization, reported that nearly 14 million tons of plastic enter the oceans each year, causing damage to wildlife habitats and marine ecosystems. Without intervention, this volume could increase to 29 million metric tons annually by 2040, and when microplastics are included, the total plastic content in oceans could reach 600 million tons by that time. This growing shift toward plastic alternatives has attracted businesses worldwide, thereby supporting the expansion of the plastic alternative packaging market.
Leading companies in the plastic alternative packaging market are emphasizing the development of innovative solutions such as thermoplastic seaweed-based materials to improve sustainability, reduce reliance on plastics, and lessen environmental impact. Thermoplastic seaweed-based materials are advanced biopolymers derived from regenerative marine biomass that can be processed in a manner similar to traditional plastics while offering biodegradability and compostability. These materials enable eco-friendly packaging production, lower carbon footprints, and better end-of-life outcomes. For instance, in February 2024, Sway, a US-based startup, introduced Thermoplastic Seaweed resin (TPSea), a novel alternative to plastic packaging. This resin is entirely biobased, home-compostable, free from microplastics, and sourced from regenerative ocean crops, with the potential to restore ecosystems and support coastal communities. Given that packaging is the largest contributor to global single-use plastic waste, Sway's TPSea(TM) product line-including flexible packaging such as polybags, retail bags, and food wrappers-addresses nearly 30% of all single-use plastic packaging used by consumer brands.
In May 2023, TIPA Corp Ltd., an Israel-based producer of flexible compostable packaging solutions, acquired Bio4Pack GmbH for US$8 million. Through this acquisition, TIPA sought to broaden its product portfolio and strengthen its presence across Europe in order to accelerate the adoption of fully compostable alternatives to traditional plastic packaging. Bio4Pack GmbH is a Germany-based manufacturer specializing in compostable and sustainable packaging products, including compostable films, laminates, paper-based packaging, trays, and nets for food and consumer goods applications.
Major companies operating in the plastic alternative packaging market are BASF, Amcor plc, Tetra Pak International SA, Sealed Air, Evergreen Packaging, Rengo Co. Ltd, International Paper Company, Mondi Group PLC, Futamura Group, SECOS Group, Huhtamaki, BioPak, SIG Combibloc, Greatview Aseptic Packaging, Enviroplast Inc., TerraVerdae Bioworks Inc., Nampak Ltd, Mpact Pty Ltd, Constantia Afripack (Pty) Ltd, Klabin SA
North America was the largest region in the plastic alternative packaging market in 2025. The regions covered in the plastic alternative 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 plastic alternative packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The plastic alternative packaging market consists of sales of corn-starch-based, mushroom-based, corrugated bubble wrap, seaweed material, and organic sources. 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.
Plastic Alternative 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 plastic alternative 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 plastic alternative 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 plastic alternative 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.
Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.