PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931589
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931589
Rigid thermoform plastic packaging refers to a packaging method in which a rigid plastic sheet is heated to become pliable and then molded into a specific shape using techniques such as vacuum forming, pressure forming, or other thermoforming processes. This method is popular due to its cost-effectiveness, versatility, and ability to enhance both product visibility and protection.
The main products in rigid thermoform plastic packaging include blister packs, clamshells, trays and lids, cups and containers, plates, and other items. Blister packs are pre-formed plastic packaging solutions that create a cavity or pocket, typically sealed with paperboard, foil, or plastic film. These packages are made from various materials, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and others. They are widely used across various industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, personal care and cosmetics, electronics, automotive, consumer goods, industrial goods, and more.
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 rigid thermoform plastic packaging market by increasing costs of imported PET, PP, PS resins, thermoforming molds, and processing equipment. Packaging manufacturers in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported polymers, while Asia-Pacific faces export-related cost pressures. These tariffs are raising material costs and affecting pricing strategies. At the same time, they are encouraging recycled material usage, local resin sourcing, and investments in regional thermoforming capacity.
The rigid thermoform plastic packaging market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides rigid thermoform plastic packaging market statistics, including rigid thermoform plastic packaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a rigid thermoform plastic packaging market share, detailed rigid thermoform plastic packaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the rigid thermoform plastic packaging industry. This rigid thermoform 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 rigid thermoform plastic packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $32.65 billion in 2025 to $34.34 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of packaged food consumption, expansion of pharmaceutical blister packaging, rising demand for product protection, increased adoption of thermoforming technology, availability of cost-effective plastic materials.
The rigid thermoform plastic packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $41.88 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing regulatory focus on sustainable packaging, rising demand for recyclable rigid plastics, expansion of ready-to-eat food markets, growing use in electronics packaging, increasing investments in advanced thermoforming lines. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of recyclable thermoform materials, growing demand for high-visibility packaging, expansion of lightweight rigid packaging solutions, rising adoption in food and pharmaceutical applications, enhanced focus on cost-efficient thermoforming.
The increasing demand for packaged foods is expected to fuel the growth of the rigid thermoform plastic packaging market going forward. Packaged foods refer to food products that are pre-processed, portioned, and sealed in containers or wrappers to preserve freshness and extend shelf life. The rise in packaged foods is driven by convenience, as they save time and effort in meal preparation, catering to busy lifestyles and on-the-go consumption. Rigid thermoform plastic packaging is useful for packaged foods as it provides durable protection, preserves freshness for longer shelf life, and enhances product visibility through its clear structure. For instance, in 2024, according to the US Foreign Agricultural Service, a US-based government agency, US exports of processed food products were valued at US $39.4 billion. Therefore, the increasing demand for packaged foods is driving the expansion of the rigid thermoform plastic packaging market.
Key players in the rigid thermoform plastic packaging market are focusing on advancing technologies, such as recyclable monoFlex thermoform packaging, to reduce environmental impact and enhance sustainability. Recyclable monoFlex thermoform packaging refers to a sustainable packaging solution made from a single polymer material, designed for easy recycling and reduced environmental impact. For instance, in November 2023, Coveris Flexibles UK, a UK-based flexible packaging company, launched MonoFlex Thermoform, a new range of recyclable thermoforming film packaging designed to replace traditional non-recyclable materials in the food industry. Made from monomaterials such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) and free from nylon (PA), the films offer high barrier protection with EVOH, strong puncture resistance, and extended shelf life for products such as meat, fish, poultry, dairy, and bakery items.
In January 2023, Lacerta Group, a US-based thermoformed packaging company, acquired Portage Plastics Corporation for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Lacerta Group aims to expand its production footprint into the Midwest, utilizing Portage Plastics' manufacturing site and workforce to better serve its growing customer base in the region and the Central United States. Portage Plastics Corporation is a US-based plastics manufacturing company specializing in the field of custom vacuum-formed plastics, which includes rigid thermoform plastic packaging.
Major companies operating in the rigid thermoform plastic packaging market are Sonoco Products Company, Dart Container Corporation, Inteplast Group Corporation, Greiner Packaging International GmbH, D&W Fine Pack LLC, Anchor Packaging LLC, Inline Plastics Corporation, Placon Corporation, Plastic Ingenuity Inc., Linpac Packaging Limited, Lacerta Group Inc., Display Pack Inc., EasyPak LLC, Dordan Manufacturing Company, Huhtamaki Oyj, WestRock Company, Coveris Holdings S.A., Novolex Packaging Solutions, Bemis Company Inc., Amcor Plc
North America was the largest region in the rigid thermoform plastic packaging market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the rigid thermoform 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 rigid thermoform plastic packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The rigid thermoform plastic packaging market consists of sales of indulgent tubs, retail product packs, food portion packs, point-of-purchase displays, and food packaging containers. 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.
Rigid Thermoform 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 rigid thermoform 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 rigid thermoform 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 rigid thermoform 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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