Market Trends of United States Plastic Bottles Industry
Demand for Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles
- Plastic bottles are made of various raw plastic materials, and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) ones are preferred owing to their durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. As end-user industries such as food, beverage, and pharmacy expand and innovate, the need for plastic bottle packaging also increases. The industry's introduction of new drinks with different flavors and packaging formats will continually encourage the need for rigid plastic bottles.
- PET has become a vital packaging material among bottle manufacturers. The rising trend of using lightweight resins with high strength and toughness, good abrasion and heat resistance, low creep at elevated temperatures, good chemical resistance, and other properties makes PET resins ideal for bottle manufacturers.
- The trend towards lightweight products is cost-effective and helps manufacturers achieve a competitive edge in the market. PET is the widely used resin for packaging, mainly bottles. PET bottles are the convenient bottles commonly used in food-grade packaging.
- Companies operating in the market focus on innovating new solutions as part of their business expansion. For instance, in March 2024, The Coca‑Cola Company is rolling out redesigned, lighter-weight PET bottles across its sparkling beverage portfolio across the U.S. as part of a broader responsibility to create a circular economy for its packaging. For the first time in a decade, 12, 16.9, and 20-oz. bottles of Trademark Coca‑Cola, Sprite, and Fanta and Minute Maid Refreshments, Minute Maid AguasFrescas are sporting new shapes that require less raw material to produce.
- According to the American Chemistry Council, the total plastic production in the United States in 2020 was 123.14 billion pounds, and it reached 130.11 billion pounds in 2023. The rise in the production of plastics will further push the market for PET resins and products made of PET across the country. Moreover, as consumer products like food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics continue to gain popularity, the demand for plastic bottle packaging is expected to surge. A preference for convenient and portable packaging solutions essentially drives this rising demand.
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
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Beverage Segment Poised to Propel Market Growth
- In the beverage industry, bottles ensure the integrity of both carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. These seals guard against foreign particles and preserve the drink's flavor and taste. The beverage market's critical applications of caps and closures include bottled water, fruit juices, ready-to-drink beverages, and energy drinks.
- The United States beverage market is poised for growth, driven by the rising demand for single-serve beverages that extend packaged drinks' shelf life. Companies favor plastic bottles for the hot-fill process, as they eliminate the need for preservatives, promoting healthier consumption. The advantages of plastic bottles are that they offer a longer shelf life without preservatives, are lightweight, and are cost-effective due to their plastic composition.
- As health and wellness concerns rise, consumers gravitate towards healthier beverage options. This growth has led to a surge in demand for functional and organic drinks, including fortified water, sports drinks, vitamin-enriched beverages, and probiotics. Consumers are increasingly spending on products aligned with the wellness trend, such as morning juices and energy drinks.
- According to the Organic Trade Association, the consumption value of organic beverages in the United States 2020 was USD 2.50 billion in 2020, and it is expected to reach USD 2.72 billion in 2024. Consequently, there's a heightened demand for cost-effective and sustainable solutions within the non-alcoholic beverage industry.
- Additionally, in February 2023, Danone invested in a US ready-to-drink coffee factory. The investment will increase the production of coffee and creamer brands in the US, including International Delight, Silk, and Stok. The investment will support Danone North America's long-term growth strategy. It will deliver critical benefits across the United States business, including advancing operational excellence, enabling flexibility in bottle design, accelerating the company's sustainability goals, and driving cost efficiencies.
