Recycled Plastics Global Market Report 2026

Recycled plastic is characterized as plastic that has undergone decontamination during the recycling process and has undergone additional post-processing without being transformed into recycled plastic products. This involves collecting used plastic waste and transforming it into new, functional plastic items, contributing to the reduction of plastic waste. Globally, over a trillion pounds of plastic are produced and used, and recycling plays a crucial role in ensuring that this substantial volume is repurposed rather than wasted. Recycled plastics find applications in the manufacturing of containers for beauty products, new plastic bottles, and durable items like plant holders.

The primary types of recycled plastics include polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and others. Polyethylene terephthalate, for example, is utilized in the production of shopping bags, videotapes, water bottles, and more. It is a condensation polymer of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. Various sources provide the raw material for recycled plastics, including plastic bottles, plastic films, plastic foams, plastic fibers, and others. These recycled plastics find application in diverse industries such as packaging, textiles, automotive, building and construction, electrical and electronics, and various other sectors.

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 influencing the recycled plastics market by increasing costs of imported plastic waste feedstock, recycling machinery, and processing equipment. Asia-Pacific and Europe are most affected due to cross-border waste trade restrictions, while North America faces higher equipment costs. These tariffs are impacting material pricing and supply consistency. However, they are also encouraging domestic recycling capacity expansion, local feedstock utilization, and investments in advanced recycling technologies.

The recycled plastics market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides recycled plastics market statistics, including recycled plastics industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a recycled plastics market share, detailed recycled plastics market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the recycled plastics industry. This recycled 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 recycled plastics market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $56.17 billion in 2025 to $59.1 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing plastic waste generation, expansion of recycling infrastructure, rising regulatory pressure on plastic usage, growth of packaging industry demand, increased availability of recyclable plastic feedstock.

The recycled plastics market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $71.66 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of circular economy regulations, rising investments in chemical recycling, expansion of recycled plastic applications, growing demand for sustainable packaging materials, continuous improvements in recycling efficiency. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of post-consumer recycled plastics, rising demand for recycled plastics in packaging, growing use in automotive and construction applications, expansion of advanced plastic recycling technologies, enhanced focus on plastic circularity.

The growing demand for packaged food is projected to enhance the growth of the recycled plastics market in the future. Packaged food refers to food products that are processed, prepared, and enclosed in containers or packaging materials prior to being sold to consumers. With increasing environmental concerns regarding plastic waste, the packaged food industry is shifting towards sustainable and recyclable packaging materials, including recycled plastics. For instance, in 2024, SNAC International, a U.S.-based food and beverage organization, reported that the potato chips packaging category reached $8.6 billion, reflecting a 7.7% increase from 2023. Therefore, the rising demand for packaged food is contributing to the expansion of the recycled plastics market.

Leading companies in the recycled plastics market are concentrating on innovative solutions such as integrating chemically recycled feedstock to reduce dependence on fossil-based plastics and promote sustainable production. Chemical recycling transforms post-consumer or post-industrial plastic waste into high-quality feedstock that can be reused in conventional manufacturing processes, ensuring that the final products retain the same performance and durability as traditional plastics. For example, in February 2024, BASF SE, a Germany-based chemical company, launched its ChemCycling initiative in the United States, producing Ccycled plastics from recycled waste. These products are applied in areas ranging from engineering plastics to polyurethane components, allowing manufacturers to incorporate advanced recycled content while maintaining product performance and supporting a circular economy.

In December 2024, Revolution Sustainable Solutions, a U.S.-based company specializing in sustainable materials and recycling solutions, acquired Island Plastics, LLC for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Revolution aims to enhance its capacity to produce high-quality post-consumer recycled (PCR) film-grade resins, particularly to support clear, food-grade recycled packaging materials and expand its sustainable materials portfolio. Island Plastics LLC is a U.S.-based mechanical recycling company that processes post-consumer waste to produce PCR resin suitable for flexible food-grade packaging and other film applications.

Major companies operating in the recycled plastics market are Rethmann SE & Co. KG, Biffa Waste Services Limited, Veolia India Private Limited, Jayplas Limited, KW Plastics, MBA Polymers Inc, Waste Connections Inc., Plastic Recycling Inc., UltrePET LLC, Greenotech Recycling Private Limited, Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies Inc., Alpek S.A.B. de C.V., B&B Plastics Recycling Inc., CABKA North America Inc., CarbonLite Industries LLC, Custom Polymers Inc., Delta Plastics of the South LLC, ECO-Cycle Solutions LLC, Emco Industrial Plastics Inc., Envision Plastics LLC, Far Eastern New Century Corporation, EcoGreen Technologies LLC

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the recycled plastics market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the recycled plastics market share during the forecast period. The regions covered in the recycled 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 recycled plastics market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The recycled plastic market consists of sales of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). 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.

Recycled 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 recycled 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.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for recycled 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 recycled 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.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET); Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC); Polyethylene (PE); Polypropylene (PP); Polystyrene (PS); Other Types
• 2) By Source: Plastic Bottles; Plastic Films; Plastic Foams; Plastic Fibers; Other Sources
• 3) By Application: Packaging; Textile; Automotive; Building And Construction; Electrical And Electronics; Other Applications
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): Post-Consumer Recycled PET (rPET); Post-Industrial Recycled PET
• 2) By Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Rigid PVC; Flexible PVC
• 3) By Polyethylene (PE): High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE); Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
• 4) By Polypropylene (PP): Homopolymer PP; Copolymer PP
• 5) By Polystyrene (PS): Expanded Polystyrene (EPS); High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
• 6) By Other Types: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS); Polycarbonate (PC)
• Companies Mentioned: Rethmann SE & Co. KG; Biffa Waste Services Limited; Veolia India Private Limited; Jayplas Limited; KW Plastics; MBA Polymers Inc; Waste Connections Inc.; Plastic Recycling Inc.; UltrePET LLC; Greenotech Recycling Private Limited; Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies Inc.; Alpek S.A.B. de C.V.; B&B Plastics Recycling Inc.; CABKA North America Inc.; CarbonLite Industries LLC; Custom Polymers Inc.; Delta Plastics of the South LLC; ECO-Cycle Solutions LLC; Emco Industrial Plastics Inc.; Envision Plastics LLC; Far Eastern New Century Corporation; EcoGreen Technologies LLC
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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