Europe Rigid Plastic Packaging Market Size (2024 - 2029)

Europe Rigid Plastic Packaging Market Analysis

The Europe Rigid Plastic Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 69.14 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 77.32 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 2.26% during the forecast period (2024-2028).

• There is a growing consumer preference for convenient and durable packaging, which is provided by rigid plastic. This includes ease of use, longer shelf life, and adequate product protection. Many rigid plastic packaging solutions are now designed to be more easily recyclable, aligning with the EU's sustainability goals. For instance, with operations in various European countries, Plastipak and Alpla focus on producing PET containers and bottles designed for recyclability and sustainability. The improvements in recycling processes and the development of more sustainable plastic materials address environmental concerns, thereby driving the demand in the market studied.
• European regulations favoring recycling and reducing environmental impact push manufacturers to adopt more sustainable packaging practices. This includes compliance with packaging waste directives and eco-design requirements. According to the EU Commission's Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, the recycling targets for all packaging are 65% by December 2025 and 70% by December 2030.
• The European rigid plastic packaging market is largely driven by the growth of the pharmaceutical industry, which depends more on sophisticated packaging solutions to meet strict regulations, guarantee product safety, and meet the growing demand for pharmaceutical products. The development of new pharmaceuticals and cures, an aging population, and rising healthcare costs are some of the causes driving the pharmaceutical industry's growth, all of which need strong and dependable packaging solutions.
• The European rigid plastic packaging market is mostly driven by technological developments in packaging materials, which allow the sector to better protect products, adapt to changing customer needs, and comply with strict environmental requirements. These developments, which are changing the rigid plastic packaging market, include the creation of new materials, enhanced production techniques, and the incorporation of smart technology.
• The European rigid plastic packaging market faces several challenges, including growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly packaging options, regulatory pressures, and developments in alternative materials. One of the biggest threats is the competition from alternative packaging materials. Paper, glass, and biodegradable materials are among the materials the market is moving toward as customers and authorities grow more ecologically sensitive. Producers of rigid plastic packaging are under pressure from this change to innovate and adapt to stay competitive in the market.
• The COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in demand for packaging in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors. Rigid plastic packaging was crucial for ensuring product safety and hygiene, especially for medical supplies, sanitizers, and packaged foods. The rise in online shopping during the pandemic also increased the demand for durable packaging solutions suitable for shipping, boosting the need for rigid plastic packaging.

Europe Rigid Plastic Packaging Industry Segmentation

The market study tracks the demand for rigid plastic packaging products catering to the demand in the food, foodservice, beverage, healthcare, personal care, and cosmetic industries, industrial, building and construction, automotive, and other end-user industries. Rigid plastics can be of different grades and different material combinations based on the type of product being packed, like polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, bioplastics, and other materials.

The European rigid plastic packaging market is segmented by product (bottles and jars, trays and containers, caps and closures, intermediate bulk containers (IBCS), drums, pallets, and other product types), material (polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), other rigid plastic packaging materials), end-user industry (food, beverage, healthcare, cosmetics and personal care, industrial, building and construction, automotive, other end-user industries), and country (the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Rest of Europe). The report offers market forecasts and size in value terms in USD for all the above segments.