Plastic-Free Packaging Market Size, Share, and Analysis By Material (Paper, Glass, Metal, Aluminum Foil), By Packaging Type (Pouches, Boxes & Cartons, Bottles, Blisters, Trays, Others), By End-use Industry (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceutical, Personal Care & Cosmetics, Consumer Goods, Electrical & Electronics), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Plastic-free packaging uses eco-friendly materials instead of plastics. Manufacturers are switching to eco-friendly packaging by using paper, glass, metal, wood, and other reusable materials to design products that are recyclable & environmentally friendly. The plastic-free packaging market is gaining substantial growth owing to the increasing awareness among consumers regarding plastic waste and its harmful environmental effects. This packaging mitigates various drawbacks of plastic packaging and offers a sustainable environment, thus driving the overall market growth. Plastic-free packaging is also considered superior as it naturally degrades relatively quickly and is a greener alternative for packaging products and services. Manufacturers continuously introduce packaging alternatives free from plastic, boosting the global plastic-free packaging market.

• For instance, on 8^th October 2022, a D2C sustainable home and personal care brand, Beco, declared the launch of the first-ever Tetra-Pak refill solution for home care products. The refill solution in Tetra-Pak is a sustainable alternative to plastic refill pouches that are generally used for dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, and other cleaning solutions.

The rapid rise in various end-users of sustainable packaging is one of the significant factors boosting the growth of the plastic-free packaging market. Increasing investments by food and beverage manufacturers in sustainable packaging drives market growth, as many end-users prefer plastic-free packs. Further, the rise in the consumption of premium products such as cosmetics and personal care that utilize glass packaging also boosts the plastic-free packaging market. Moreover, rapidly growing sales of luxury products such as perfumes and alcohol and the expansion of the e-commerce sector will foster the global plastic-free packaging market over the forecast period.

High and fluctuating raw material prices and poor infrastructure facilities are the key factors that hinder the market growth of plastic-free packaging. Lack of awareness among the end-users regarding the importance of sustainability in some emerging economies is also anticipated to restrict the market growth. The materials used in plastic-free or eco-packaging can be broken down easily and can cause a high risk of cross-contamination. The high cross-contamination risk can be noticed when the packaging arrives at customers' homes or even at recycling facilities, limiting the growth of this market.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE PLASTIC-FREE PACKAGING MARKET

COVID-19 had both positive and negative impacts on the global plastic-free packaging market. Large-scale supply chain disruptions that led to the temporary halt in production harmed the market growth of plastic-free packaging. However, owing to the outbreak of the virus, awareness of hygiene, safety, and health among consumers has increased tremendously, which showed a positive impact on the growth of plastic-free packaging. Moreover, due to the takeout facilities, the rise in demand for eco-friendly food packaging solutions has positively impacted the pandemic. Consequently, innovative plastic-free packaging solutions were observed to be in high demand, boosting the sales of the plastic-free packaging market in the post-pandemic era.

KEY INSIGHTS

The report will cover the following key insights:

• Recent Advancements in the Plastic-Free Packaging Market


• Key Industry Trends


• Regulatory Landscape for Plastic-Free Packaging Market


• Key Industry Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships)


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market

ANALYSIS BY MATERIAL

Based on the material, the market is segmented into paper, glass, metal, and aluminum foil. Paper material is the dominant segment driving the global plastic-free packaging market. Paper-based packaging products are gaining popularity among many end users and businesses owing to the material's versatile, lightweight and sturdy nature. Paper can also be customized as they offer a great deal of flexibility and are cheaper than any other material, which boosts this segment's growth.

ANALYSIS BY PACKAGING TYPE

Based on the packaging type, the market is segmented into less than pouches, boxes & cartons, bottles

Blisters, trays, and others. Boxes and cartons are the dominating segment and are expected to witness remarkable growth over the forecast period. Boxes and cartons are stronger and provide a stable cushion for any product during shipping and handling. They can be easily customized according to customer requirements, which drives the growth of plastic-free packaging.

ANALYSIS BY END-USE INDUSTRY

Based on the end-use industry, the market is segmented into food & beverages, pharmaceutical, personal care & cosmetics, consumer goods, and electrical & electronics. Food & beverages hold the largest share of the global plastic-free packaging market. Growing awareness of packaging waste generated by plastics has increased manufacturers' focus on plastic-free packaging. Consumers highly demand sustainable, eco-friendly, and zero-waste packaging alternatives for food products, which boosts the market's growth.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

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The plastic-free packaging market has been studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Asia-Pacific is the major dominating region of the global plastic-free packaging market. The vast growth of this region can be attributed to the large paper boarding and glass packaging industries in India, China, and South Korea. North America is expected to attain rapid growth owing to the government's significant efforts regarding plastic waste in the region. Europe will witness steady growth as the key companies in the region are following the circular economy roadmap by embracing recycled, degradable, and recyclable materials. Latin America will showcase considerable growth owing to the increasing consumption of food & beverages in many countries. The Middle East and Africa will witness moderate growth due to the rising demand for canned and pharmaceutical products.

KEY PLAYERS COVERED

The report will include profiles of key players such as Rawlings, WestRock Company, Amcor plc, Ardagh Group S.A., HUBER Packaging Group GmbH, EnviGreen, Sonoco Products Company, Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd, Beatson Clark, ALL Packaging Company, Zumbiel Packaging, MW Creative Ltd, Biogreen Bags, Alcoa Corporation, Ball Corporation, and Crown Packaging.

SEGMENTATION

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• In June 2022, Henkel, a Germany-based chemical and consumer goods company, launched plastic-free blister packaging for its consumer adhesives portfolio. The blister packaging is made with at least 85% recycled paper and is used for Henkel’s Pritt glue brand.


• In July 2020, a UK-based absorbent food packaging specialist, Sirane, launched a plastic-free salad packaging solution along with many major brands in France. The salad bags are a variant of Earthfilm paper, the supplier’s renowned packaging range. The bags are developed to be recycled easily as part of the paper recycling stream.


• In October 2021, Lactips, the French company specializing in producing a 100% biosourced casein-based plastic material, announced the launch of a paper or cardboard packaging solution. The launch was made to strengthen, protect and conserve food products without impacting their recycling.


• In April 2022, Melodea, an Israel-based start-up company, developed two sustainable, plant-based plastic alternatives for packaging. The alternatives are developed from cellulose crystals extracted through wood pulp in industrial forests. MelOx is a high-performance, plant-sourced barrier coating offering protection from oxygen and, oil & grease transmission.


• In September 2022, Notpla, a sustainable packaging brand, declared the launch of Notpla Paper, the first sustainable paper designed with a 30% seaweed by-product. It is prepared using seaweed leftover to create the paper for making envelopes and boxes.