Market Trends of Indonesia Rigid Plastic Packaging Industry
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is Expected to Witness Significant Growth
- The demand for PET from the packaging industry is increasing in Indonesia. Superior barrier properties, high tensile strength, better surface finish, and low cost allow PET to be an ideal product for numerous plastic packaging applications.
- The introduction of PET allows weight reductions of up to 90% compared to glass, enabling a more economical transportation process. PET plastic bottles are now replacing heavy and fragile glass bottles to provide reusable packaging for mineral water and other beverages.
- In the rigid plastic packaging market, PET is used to manufacture microwavable food trays and plastic bottles for soft drinks, water, juices, sports drinks, beer, mouthwash, ketchup, salad dressings, and food jars. There is a growing demand for PET bottles from various end-user industries, such as home care, beverages, and personal care. The growth can be attributed to consumer preference and the properties of PET, such as its lightweight nature and high recycling rate.
- In order to comply with requirements and establish a closed-loop recycling cycle, regional market vendors are also concentrating on making PET single-use packaging more recyclable. Growth opportunities for PET single-use packaging are anticipated due to the growing emphasis on recycling these materials.
- Driven by rising demand for milk-based drinks, manufacturers are producing lightweight and transparent plastic bottles. This not only enhances product visibility but also addresses concerns about cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Notably, PET bottles, being lightweight, cut down transportation costs and are easier for consumers to handle, making them the preferred choice for milk packaging.
- As per Statistics Indonesia data published in June 2023, in 2022, Indonesian dairy cow establishments produced nearly 130 million liters of milk, marking an increase from 2020. During the study period, Indonesia's production volume for these products remained relatively stable. Consistent milk production across the country may increase the demand for PET bottles for milk packaging in the upcoming years.
The Food Segment is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share
- Rigid plastic packaging, including plastic bottles and containers, continues to be popular in food packaging applications. Containers are used to pack consumer goods, and HDPE and LDPE are used for the packaging.
- Indonesia's food industry employs a range of rigid plastic packaging options. Indonesians are becoming more interested in eating organic food, leading to stores stocking and exporting more organic produce. One of the primary end uses of packaging in Indonesia is food. However, Indonesia has long imported many processed and essential food components.
- Some materials used for making bottles and container products include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP). PP is blow-molded to produce crates, bottles, and pots. PP thin-walled containers are standard across the country and used for food packaging.
- The Indonesian government introduced a new food contact packaging legislation to update the domestic packaging standards and align them with international standards, such as those used by the US FDA (Food and Drug Association) and EU food legislation. The revised regulation covers domestic and imported food packaging across five packaging categories, including rigid plastics.
- Owing to the growing opportunities in the Indonesian food industry, several international players are constantly investing in the market, creating more avenues for rigid plastic manufacturers to innovate and launch plastic food packaging options. According to the Statistics Indonesia report published in February 2024, in 2023, foreign direct investment in Indonesia's food industry reached around USD 2.26 billion, marking an increase from USD 1.59 billion in 2020.