Rigid packaging is packaging that maintains its shape and form, exhibiting no or limited elastic deformation, and is generally self-supporting and free-standing. Plastic is the material of choice because it is lighter, versatile, chemically inert, durable, and inexpensive.
Packaging also plays a critical role in marketing. Eye-catching packaging with optimum labeling can influence purchase decisions. Rigid packaging creates growth opportunities for raw material suppliers, converters/packaging manufacturers, recycling companies, and downstream brand owners. Changing demographics and rising income levels affect the demand for consumer products and, subsequently, rigid packaging. With changing consumer lifestyles, the demand for ready-to-use products is also increasing. Hence, the shift to smaller pack sizes that offer convenience and portability has been gaining traction over the years, compelling brand owners to switch to rigid plastics. Further, the use of plastics in rigid packaging is anticipated to grow in tandem with the growth of the downstream industries it caters to. The demand for foods and beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal and home care products creates a significant demand for plastics in rigid packaging.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely used polymer in rigid packaging applications. Most of the demand for PET comes from the beverage industry. Rising consumption of bottled water, carbonated drinks, and nutritional drinks will drive the demand for PET bottles. Further, the rising shift of alcoholic beverage packaging from glass to PET bottles positions the material as a potential replacement for glass. The preference for smaller, single-serve bottles also increases the demand for PET. In addition, the considerable demand for rPET in F&B applications will boost segmental growth.
From an applications standpoint, rigid plastics are most widely used in food and beverage packaging applications. This increasing demand strongly relies on rising consumption owing to increasing population and demographic shifts. Changing demographics such as urbanization, rising single-income households, and the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle promote the use of convenient packaging in small-serve packages. The beverages industry is another driving factor; it largely benefits from the lightweighting trend because brand owners prefer lightweight rigid plastics rather than heavier substrates such as glass and metals. As a result, the use of rigid packaging is expected to expand in tandem with the growth witnessed by the food and beverage industry.
The market for plastics in rigid packaging is highly fragmented with the presence of global players and several regional and local producers that focus on specific plastic types in particular regions. Producers fundamentally compete based on price and material quality. The significantly high population in APAC countries augments the regional demand for plastics in rigid packaging. Further, the strong focus on sustainability in developed regions such as Europe and North America will ensure a steady growth in volume and strong revenue growth as they substitute conventional plastics with recycled/recyclable ones. As bioplastics also penetrate the rigid plastic ecosystem, average prices are anticipated to increase over time, fueling revenue growth over the forecast period.
The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Plastics in Rigid Packaging Industry
Innovative Business Models
- Why: Waste generation and management is the most important environmental concern in the packaging industry. Hence, the emphasis on reducing single-use plastics is strong.
- This has led to the development of refillable/reusable packaging emerging as a lucrative business model in the rigid packaging industry.
- Frost Perspective: As brand owners and retailers realize the advantages of refillable/reusable packaging, they introduce a variety of solutions such as deposit return schemes, vending machines for in-store refill, and concentrated packs for at-home refill.
- F&S observes numerous pilot programs testing such solutions across geographies.
- Hence, its widespread commercialization can potentially disrupt the rigid packaging industry with its aims of minimizing the production of resins.
Geopolitical Chaos
- Why: Geopolitical chaos affects the supply-demand scenario in polymer markets and has a significant impact on trade, price and margins.
- The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian crisis, economic slowdown in Europe, US-China trade war and logistical disruptions in the Red Sea, cumulatively contribute to the geopolitical disturbances in rigid packaging market recovering from the post-pandemic price volatilities.
- Frost Perspective: These factors influence the crude oil prices and will also subsequently impact the polymer prices over the next 2 to 4 years.
- Further, more than half of global population in nearly 80 countries, including the United States, India, Russia, and the EU will be undergoing elections in 2024, which can affect regulatory frameworks and business outlooks.
Industry Convergence
- Why: With an increasing focus on sustainability, resin producers seek to collaborate with alternative feedstock providers.
- Several partnerships and joint ventures are observed between resin manufacturers and food companies or bio-based feedstock suppliers.
- Similarly, resin manufacturers are also engaging in M&A with recycling facilities.
- Frost Perspective: This trend is expected to continue throughout the forecast period and intensify in the next 3-5 years.
- As the industry seeks to transform to sustainable alternatives, collaborations in the plastics industry become essential for business to being future-proof.
Scope of Analysis
Overview
- This study analyzes the market for different polymer resins, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and others, used to manufacture rigid packaging products.
- Rigid plastic packaging is vital for several industries such as food and beverages, home and personal care, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and others.
- The study covers primary and secondary consumer packaging and not tertiary or industrial packaging, which broadly serves a logistical purpose and will be covered in a separate study.
- The research considers shipment volumes and revenue from 2020 to 2030.
- The study records manufacturer revenues and prices.
- Prices reflect the median price for each packaging material because of the market’s significant price variations.
| Geographic Coverage | Global |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2020–2030 |
| Base Year | 2023 |
| Forecast Period | 2024–2030 |
| Monetary Unit | US Dollars |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) Period | 2023–2030 |
| Volume Shipment Representation | Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) |
| Average Price Representation | $/MT |
| Conversion Rate | €1.00 = $1.104 |
Segmentation: Plastics in Rigid Packaging
By Polymer Type
- Polyethylene (PE)
- PE classified into high density PE (HDPE), low density PE (LDPE), and linear low-density PE (LLDPE).
- HDPE provides an excellent balance between stiffness and toughness, making it the preferred material for rigid packaging. It is widely used to mold containers for dairy and homecare products, and caps and closures.
- LDPE/LLDPE are not widely used in rigid packaging. They are more flexible than HDPE and find some application in squeeze bottles.
- Polypropylene (PP)
- PP is significantly used in packaging applications, especially in molding rigid packaging products.
- PP possesses chemical properties such as chemical resistance and gas and moisture vapor barrier, which makes it preferable for rigid packaging. In addition, PP is adaptable with a variety of manufacturing techniques, making it a highly demanded plastic for rigid packaging.
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
- PET is clear, tough, and possesses good gas and moisture barrier properties.
- The resin is commonly used in carbonated alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage bottles and several injection-molded containers and jars across industries.
- Thermoformed PET is used in clear trays and heat-resistant food containers.
- Others
- The segment covers polymer resins, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), expanded polystyrene (EPS), and bioplastics.
- While the other resins are largely being replaced or phased out because of environmental incompatibility, bioplastics are increasingly gaining traction as a suitable alternative to conventional packaging polymers, especially in rigid packaging applications.
By End-user Vertical
- Food & Beverages
- Home & Personal Care
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
- Others
- (consumer goods, electronics, and sports and leisure.)
Key Competitors
Americas
- Alpek S.A.B. de C.V.
- Borealis AG
- Braskem
- Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
- FKuR Kunststoff GmbH
- Formosa Plastics Corporation
- Indorama Ventures
- INEOS
- LG Chem
- Lotte Chemical Corporation
- LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
- NatureWorks LLC
- Plasticpak Packaging, Inc.
- Shell PLC
- Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
- TotalEnergies SE
- Trinseo
- Versalis S.p.A.
- Westlake Chemical Corporation
Europe
- Alpek S.A.B. de C.V.
- Biome Bioplastics
- Borealis AG
- Braskem
- Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
- FKuR Kunststoff GmbH
- Indorama Ventures
- INEOS
- JBF Industries Ltd.
- LG Chem
- Lotte Chemical Corporation
- LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
- NatureWorks LLC
- Plasticpak Packaging, Inc.
- Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
- Synthos S.A.
- TotalEnergies SE
- Trinseo
- Versalis S.p.A.
APAC
- Borealis AG
- Braskem
- Far Eastern New Century Corporation
- Indorama Ventures
- INEOS
- JBF Industries Ltd.
- LG Chem
- Lotte Chemical Corporation
- LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
- NatureWorks LLC
- Plasticpak Packaging, Inc.
- Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
- TotalEnergies SE
- Trinseo
- Versalis S.p.A.
- Westlake Chemical Corporation
MEASA
- SABIC
- Alpek S.A.B. de C.V.
- Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
- Far Eastern New Century Corporation
- FKuR Kunststoff GmbH
- Indorama Ventures
- JBF Industries Ltd.
- LG Chem
- Lotte Chemical Corporation
- LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
- Reliance Industries Limited
- TotalEnergies SE
- Versalis S.p.A.
Competitive Environment
| Number of Competitors | >100 |
|---|---|
| Competitive Factors | Lightweight, durability, sustainability, innovation, cost, support, reliability, regulatory compliance, and consumer relationships |
| End-user Industry Verticals | Food and beverage, personal and home care, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and others |
| Leading Competitors | Borealis AG, Indorama Ventures, ExxonMobil Corporation, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., TotalEnergies SE, JBF Industries Ltd., Alpek S.A.B. de C.V. |
| Other Notable Competitors | Shell PLC, SABIC, The Dow Chemical Company, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, INEOS Group Limited, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Braskem, Reliance Industries Limited, Far Eastern New Century Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, Lotte Chemical Corporation, Plastipak Packaging, Inc., Trinseo, Versalis S.p.A., LG Chem, Synthos S.A., NatureWorks LLC, FKuR Kunststoff GmbH, Biome Bioplastics, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., Westlake Chemical Corporation |
| Distribution Structure | Direct sales and distributors |
Revenue and Volume Forecast
Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Revenue and Volume Forecast, Global, 2020–2030
Revenue CAGR, 2023–2030 = 5.8%
Volume CAGR, 2023–2030 = 3.5%


Why Is It Increasingly Difficult to Grow?
The Strategic Imperative 8™
The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Plastics in Rigid Packaging Industry
Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine™
Overview
Scope of Analysis
Segmentation: Plastics in Rigid Packaging
Geographic Scope
Key Competitors
Growth Metrics
Consumer & Retail Perception of Packaging Materials
Plastic Types, Properties and Applications
Polymers, Plastic Types and Bio-degradability
Conversion Processes and Applications
Value Chain
Value Chain Analysis
Value Chain Analysis (Continued)
Growth Drivers
Growth Driver Analysis
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis(continued)
Growth Driver Analysis(continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Driver Analysis (continued)
Growth Restraints
Growth Restraint Analysis
Growth Restraint Analysis (continued)
Growth Restraint Analysis (continued)
Growth Restraint Analysis (continued)
Growth Restraint Analysis (continued)
Growth Restraint Analysis (continued)
Growth Restraint Analysis (continued)
Forecast Assumptions
Graphic Summary of Drivers and Restraints
Revenue and Volume Forecast
Revenue and Volume Forecast Analysis
Revenue Forecast by Polymer Type
Volume Forecast by Polymer Type
Revenue and Volume Forecast Analysis by Polymer Type
Pricing Trends and Forecast
Pricing Trends and Forecast by Polymer Type
Pricing Trends and Forecast Analysis
Revenue Forecast by End Industry
Volume Forecast by End Industry
Revenue and Volume Forecast Analysis by End Industry
Revenue Forecast by Region
Volume Forecast by Region
Revenue and Volume Forecast Analysis by Region
Competitive Environment
Competitive Tier Analysis
Major Users of Plastic Packaging
Plastic Consumption by Top Nonalcoholic Beverage Company
Plastic Consumption by Food Top Company
Plastic Consumption by Top Home and Personal Care Company
Plastic Consumption by Top Alcoholic Beverage Company
Plastic Consumption by Top Home Care Company
Plastic Consumption by Top Personal Care Company
Circular Economy
Circular Economy Analysis
Segment Characteristics and Overview
Growth Metrics
Revenue and Volume Forecast
Revenue Forecast by End Industry
Volume Forecast by End Industry
Forecast Analysis
Revenue Forecast by Region
Volume Forecast by Region
Forecast Analysis by Region
Segment Characteristics and Overview
Growth Metrics
Revenue and Volume Forecast
Revenue Forecast by End Industry
Volume Forecast by End Industry
Forecast Analysis
Revenue Forecast by Region
Volume Forecast by Region
Forecast Analysis by Region
Segment Characteristics and Overview
Growth Metrics
Revenue and Volume Forecast
Revenue Forecast by End Industry
Volume Forecast by End Industry
Forecast Analysis
Forecast Analysis(continued)
Revenue Forecast by Region
Volume Forecast by Region
Forecast Analysis by Region
Segment Characteristics and Overview
Growth Metrics
Revenue and Volume Forecast
Revenue Forecast by End Industry
Volume Forecast by End Industry
Forecast Analysis
Forecast Analysis
Revenue Forecast by Region
Volume Forecast by Region
Forecast Analysis by Region
Growth Opportunity 1: Polystyrene Alternatives
Growth Opportunity 1: Polystyrene Alternatives (continued)
Growth Opportunity 2: Bioplastics Production Infrastructure
Growth Opportunity 2: Bioplastics Production Infrastructure (continued)
Growth Opportunity 3: Plastics Recycling Ecosystem
Growth Opportunity 3: Plastics Recycling Ecosystem (continued)
Your Next Steps
Why Frost, Why Now?
List of Exhibits
List of Exhibits (continued)
List of Exhibits (continued)
Legal Disclaimer
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Growth Metrics, Global, 2023
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Value Chain Analysis, Global, 2023
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Growth Drivers, Global, 2024–2030
- Food Consumption Volume, Global, 2015–2022
- Population vs. GNI per Capita vs. GDP per capita vs. Plastic Usage Growth Rate, Global, 2012–2022
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Growth Restraints, Global, 2024–2030
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Summary of Drivers and Restraints, Global, 2023–2030
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Revenue and Volume Forecast, Global, 2020–2030
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Revenue Forecast by Polymer Type, Global, 2020–2030
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Volume Forecast by Polymer Type, Global, 2020–2030
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Weighted Average Price Forecast, Global, 2020–2030
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Weighted Average Price Forecast by Polymer Type, Global, 2023 and 2030
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Revenue Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Volume Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Volume Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030
- Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Major Users of Plastic Packaging by Industries, Global, 2022
- Circular Economy of Plastics in Rigid Packaging Applications, 2023
- Polyethylene: Growth Metrics, Global, 2023
- Polyethylene: Revenue and Volume Forecast, Global, 2020–2030
- Polyethylene: Revenue Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030
- Polyethylene: Volume Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030
- Polyethylene: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030
- Polyethylene: Volume Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030
- Polypropylene: Growth Metrics, Global, 2023
- Polypropylene: Revenue and Volume Forecast, Global, 2020–2030
- Polypropylene: Revenue Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030
- Polypropylene: Volume Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030
- Polypropylene: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030
- Polypropylene: Volume Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030
- Polyethylene Terephthalate: Growth Metrics, Global, 2023
- Polyethylene Terephthalate: Revenue and Volume Forecast, Global, 2020–2030
- Polyethylene Terephthalate: Revenue Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030
- Polyethylene Terephthalate: Volume Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030
- Polyethylene Terephthalate: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030
- Polyethylene Terephthalate: Volume Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030
- Others: Growth Metrics, Global, 2023
- Others: Revenue and Volume Forecast, Global, 2020–2030
- Others: Revenue Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030
- Others: Volume Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030
- Others: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030
- Others: Volume Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030
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| Deliverable Type | Market Research |
|---|---|
| Author | Saurabh Todi |
| Industries | Chemicals and Materials |
| No Index | No |
| Is Prebook | No |
| Keyword 1 | Plastic Packaging Market |
| Keyword 2 | Rigid Plastic Packaging Market |
| Keyword 3 | Flexible Plastic Packaging Market |
| List of Charts and Figures | Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Growth Metrics, Global, 2023~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Value Chain Analysis, Global, 2023~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Growth Drivers, Global, 2024–2030~ Food Consumption Volume, Global, 2015–2022~ Population vs. GNI per Capita vs. GDP per capita vs. Plastic Usage Growth Rate, Global, 2012–2022~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Growth Restraints, Global, 2024–2030~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Summary of Drivers and Restraints, Global, 2023–2030~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Revenue and Volume Forecast, Global, 2020–2030~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Revenue Forecast by Polymer Type, Global, 2020–2030~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Volume Forecast by Polymer Type, Global, 2020–2030~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Weighted Average Price Forecast, Global, 2020–2030~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Weighted Average Price Forecast by Polymer Type, Global, 2023 and 2030~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Revenue Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Volume Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Volume Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030~ Plastics in Rigid Packaging: Major Users of Plastic Packaging by Industries, Global, 2022~ Circular Economy of Plastics in Rigid Packaging Applications, 2023~ Polyethylene: Growth Metrics, Global, 2023~ Polyethylene: Revenue and Volume Forecast, Global, 2020–2030~ Polyethylene: Revenue Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030~ Polyethylene: Volume Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030~ Polyethylene: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030~ Polyethylene: Volume Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030~ Polypropylene: Growth Metrics, Global, 2023~ Polypropylene: Revenue and Volume Forecast, Global, 2020–2030~ Polypropylene: Revenue Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030~ Polypropylene: Volume Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030~ Polypropylene: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030~ Polypropylene: Volume Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030~ Polyethylene Terephthalate: Growth Metrics, Global, 2023~ Polyethylene Terephthalate: Revenue and Volume Forecast, Global, 2020–2030~ Polyethylene Terephthalate: Revenue Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030~ Polyethylene Terephthalate: Volume Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030~ Polyethylene Terephthalate: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030~ Polyethylene Terephthalate: Volume Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030~ Others: Growth Metrics, Global, 2023~ Others: Revenue and Volume Forecast, Global, 2020–2030~ Others: Revenue Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030~ Others: Volume Forecast by End Industry, Global, 2020–2030~ Others: Revenue Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030~ Others: Volume Forecast by Region, Global, 2020–2030~ |
| Podcast | No |
| Predecessor | K2ED-01-00-00-00 |
| WIP Number | PFDA-01-00-00-00 |
Plastics in Rigid Packaging Market, Global, 2024 2030
Plastics in Rigid Packaging are Experiencing Transformational Growth due to Innovative Business Models and the Rising Emphasis on Sustainability
25-Jul-2024
Global
Market Research
