United Kingdom Plastic Packaging Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The United Kingdom plastic packaging market is experiencing growth, driven by the expanding industrial sector and the increasing demand for packaging services. Despite challenges such as Brexit-related cost increases and sustainability concerns in sectors like dairy, the market's capacity for revenue generation remains significant due to its robust manufacturing capabilities. The market's dynamics are further influenced by the rise of flexible packaging and the impact of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, which have affected supply chains and growth trajectories.

Market Size of United Kingdom Plastic Packaging Industry

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United Kingdom Plastic Packaging Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
CAGR 2.87 %
Fastest Growing Market Asia Pacific
Largest Market Asia Pacific
Market Concentration Medium

Major Players

United Kingdom Plastic Packaging Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

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UK Plastic Packaging Market Analysis

The UK plastic packaging market is expected to register a CAGR of 2.87% during the forecast period. In a few places, COVID-19 was used as a way to bring back single-use plastic bags rather than accepting reusable ones. The increasing popularity of PET packaging products helped it considerably gain market shares in the past few years. The quality of plastic bottles is constantly improving as they gain access to other segments that traditionally have used other materials.

The UK packaging industry is expanding significantly due to the region's expanding industrial sector, which is driving up demand for packaging services there. The UK packaging manufacturing industry generated GBP 11 billion (USD 13.59 billion) in annual sales, according to the Packaging Federation of the United Kingdom. It employs more than 85,000 people, representing 3% of the manufacturing workforce in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in the larger packaging supply chain and contributes significantly to the UK GDP.

The packaging sector in the United Kingdom is largely composed of plastic packaging. Furthermore, due to extensive manufacturing capabilities, it is expected that the UK market for plastic packaging would generate a sizeable amount of income. The UK Parliament estimates that five million tons of plastic are used there annually, with packaging accounting for approximately half of that.

Due to the growth of the flexible packaging industry, plastics are also in demand in the United Kingdom. The market need is being helped by both the expansion of international vendors in this area and the acquisition of local businesses.

Among various industries using plastic, the dairy industry is focusing on reducing plastic use. The UK's Food and Farming Minister, Lord Rooker, called for the country's dairy industry to become more sustainable, targeting a 50% reduction in the number of plastics used in milk packaging. That indicates even more growth for greener packaging in a country that has already shown innovative diversity.

Brexit is anticipated to increase plastic packaging costs in the United Kingdom due to rising trade regulations between the European Union and the United Kingdom, a shortage of skilled labor, a loss of competitiveness for local resin producers, and a decline in plastic recycling rates, all of which could potentially have an impact on the country's plastic packaging industry.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, the UK packaging market witnessed a decline in growth, owing to the widespread lockdown measures adopted by the government and supply chain disruptions. All the sectors, except healthcare and food and beverage, were shut down in the country. There has also been an impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the overall packaging ecosystem.

UK Plastic Packaging Industry Segmentation

Plastic packaging is a part of the multi-faceted system for providing products, from the point of manufacture to the point of consumption. Its principal purpose is to guard and ensure the safe and secure delivery of the product in its flawless and perfect condition to the end user (manufacturer of the product or the consumer). Its role in a circular economy is to sustain the value of a product for as long as required and help remove product waste.

The UK plastic packaging market is segmented by packaging type (rigid plastic packaging and flexible plastic packaging), product type (bottles and jars, trays and containers, pouches, bags, and films and wraps), and end-user industry (food, beverage, healthcare, personal care, and household). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (in USD million) for all the above segments.

Packaging Type
Flexible Plastic Packaging
Rigid Plastic Packaging
Product Type
Rigid Plastic Packaging
Bottles and Jars
Trays and containers
Other Product Types (Caps and Closures, etc.)
Flexible Plastic Packaging
Pouches
Bags
Films and Wraps
Other Product Types
End-user Industry
Food
Beverage
Healthcare
Personal Care and Household
Other End-user Industries
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United Kingdom Plastic Packaging Market Size Summary

The United Kingdom plastic packaging market is experiencing a steady growth trajectory, driven by the expanding industrial sector and increasing demand for packaging services. The market is characterized by a significant shift towards flexible packaging, which is gaining traction due to its sustainability benefits and ability to extend product shelf life. The food industry, in particular, is a major consumer of plastic packaging, as it increasingly replaces traditional materials with plastics to leverage their lightweight and cost-effective properties. The rise in processed and packaged food consumption, fueled by urbanization and changing lifestyles, further propels the demand for plastic packaging in the region. However, the market faces challenges such as the increasing plastic waste and potential regulatory constraints from the EU, which could impact growth.

The UK plastic packaging industry is also witnessing advancements in recycling initiatives, with efforts from both private and public sectors aimed at improving recycling rates and reducing plastic pollution. The introduction of funds and collaborative projects, such as the Flexible Packaging Fund and FlexCollect, are designed to enhance the economic viability of flexible plastic recycling. Major players in the market, including Amcor, Coveris Holding, and Berry Global, are actively investing in sustainable packaging solutions and infrastructure to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly options. Despite challenges like Brexit and the impact of global events, the market remains mildly concentrated with significant opportunities for growth, particularly in the flexible and sustainable packaging segments.

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United Kingdom Plastic Packaging Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET INSIGHTS

    1. 1.1 Market Overview

    2. 1.2 Value Chain Analysis

    3. 1.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

      1. 1.3.1 Threat of New Entrants

      2. 1.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers

      3. 1.3.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      4. 1.3.4 Threat of Substitutes

      5. 1.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

    4. 1.4 Impact of the COVID-19 on the Market

    5. 1.5 Overview of the Global Plastic Packaging Market

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION

    1. 2.1 Packaging Type

      1. 2.1.1 Flexible Plastic Packaging

      2. 2.1.2 Rigid Plastic Packaging

    2. 2.2 Product Type

      1. 2.2.1 Rigid Plastic Packaging

        1. 2.2.1.1 Bottles and Jars

        2. 2.2.1.2 Trays and containers

        3. 2.2.1.3 Other Product Types (Caps and Closures, etc.)

      2. 2.2.2 Flexible Plastic Packaging

        1. 2.2.2.1 Pouches

        2. 2.2.2.2 Bags

        3. 2.2.2.3 Films and Wraps

        4. 2.2.2.4 Other Product Types

    3. 2.3 End-user Industry

      1. 2.3.1 Food

      2. 2.3.2 Beverage

      3. 2.3.3 Healthcare

      4. 2.3.4 Personal Care and Household

      5. 2.3.5 Other End-user Industries

United Kingdom Plastic Packaging Market Size FAQs

The United Kingdom Plastic Packaging Market is projected to register a CAGR of 2.87% during the forecast period (2024-2029)

Amcor PLC, Coveris Holding, Berry Global, Sealed Air Corporation and Constantia Flexibles are the major companies operating in the United Kingdom Plastic Packaging Market.

United Kingdom Plastic Packaging Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)