Rigid Packaging Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material (Plastic, Metal, Wood, Paper & Paperboard, Glass), By Product Type (Boxes, Trays, Containers & Cans, Bottles & Jars, Pallets, Others), By End-use Industry (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care & Cosmetics, Electrical & Electronics, Household, E-commerce, Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global rigid packaging market size was valued at USD 431.97 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 452.96 billion in 2024 to USD 704.24 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.67% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the rigid packaging market with a market share of 44.04% in 2023. Moreover, the rigid packaging market in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 141.74 billion by 2032, driven by the increasing demand for rigid plastic packaging from several end-use industries.

Rigid packaging can be termed a solution that cannot bend or be forced out of shape. It provides structure and support for packaging products and is gaining increased demand due to its strength, durability, and barrier properties. This packaging is significant for transportation across longer distances as it helps keep the products safer for longer. Packaging, such as cans, ampoules, aerosol containers, bottles, pallets, and jars, is gaining popularity among several end-use industries. High impact strength, high barrier, and high stiffness properties offered by the packaging solution have led to the expansion of the global market in recent years.

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the market. The unitability of labor and fluctuations in raw material prices caused a slowdown in the production of packaging products. However, the need for pharmaceutical products has witnessed huge demand, and development in the e-commerce industry is expected to boost market growth.

Rigid Packaging Market Trends

Upsurge in Demand for Paper Packaging Emerges as a Key Trend

The growing environmental concerns among manufacturers and consumers have boosted the demand for paper packaging solutions. The major players of rigid packaging focus on paper-based substitutes owing to rising plastic waste and its hazardous environmental effects. The sustainability trend focusing on paper packaging is booming as a significant trend in the global market. Government bodies and organizations in several developed and developing economies have increased their focus on the sustainable environment. With its tremendous strength and stability, paper is a preferred material for making rigid packaging products. They have established stringent regulations and laws to protect the environment, promoting products made with recycled paper and contributing to the growth of the sustainable rigid packaging market. For instance, on November 17, 2020, the EPA Administrator at the America Recycles Summit declared the National Recycling Goal to raise the U.S. recycling rate to 50% by 2030.

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Rigid Packaging Market Growth Factors

Increasing Demand for Rigid Packaging in the Food & Beverages Industry Bolsters Market Growth

The increasing demand for rigid packaging products in the food and beverages industry drives the market growth globally. The food & beverages industry is a major consumer of stiff packaging products due to its varied features such as strength, high barrier, and durability. This packaging is gaining traction in recent years as it is unlikely to affect the quality and flavor of food products. It also prevents exposure to light and heat and is temperature tolerant, further retaining the freshness of food products. Rising consumption of convenience, packaged, & ready-to-eat food products is anticipated to boost the market in the forthcoming years. Rigid packaging ensures the freshness, hygiene and quality of food and beverages. The changing consumer lifestyles, eating habits, and burgeoning consumption of bread, sausages, and several other snacks are expected to cause the market growth to flourish. With the rising consumption of food & beverages, the demand for rigid packaging for the safety of the goods is boosting the market growth. Increasing demand for packaging of packed bottled water, liquor, and energy drinks also aids the global rigid packaging market growth.

Significant Benefits Offered by Rigid Packaging to Contribute to Market Expansion

The market is witnessing massive growth due to excellent barriers, high stiffness, high strength, and recyclable properties offered. The packaging prevents contamination, protects the products, simplifies storage & shipping, and eases the process of handling packed products in bulk quantity. It provides an isolated inert environment for the product during transportation and storage, further enabling safe goods shipments over long distances. Such significant benefits are enhancing the growth of the market worldwide. Furthermore, as inflexible packaging enables spill-proof packaging of liquid items, including beverages, chemicals, and minerals, it is gaining huge global demand among the pharmaceuticals and food & beverage industries. The utilization of this packaging for heavy-duty, secondary, and bulk packaging is anticipated to aid the market growth over the forecast period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Shifting Raw Material Prices and Increasing Demand for Flexible Packaging Restrict the Market Growth

Fluctuation in raw material prices required to manufacture the packaging products is the key factor hampering the growth of the global market. High costs associated with developing the packaging products are also estimated to limit market expansion. Moreover, there is a continuous increase in demand for flexible packaging solutions globally. Factors such as portability, less manufacturing cost, convenience, sustainability, and health benefits offered by flexible packaging boost the demand for flexible packaging. Rigid packaging materials, such as plastics, metal and glass, often have a higher environmental footprint compared to flexible and eco-friendly alternatives. Packaging converters & manufacturers thus prefer flexible materials to the standard rigid materials, further hampering the market growth.

Rigid Packaging Market Segmentation Analysis

By Material Analysis

Plastic is the Dominating Segment Owing to the Varied Features Offered by the Material

Based on material, the market is segmented into plastic, metal, wood, paper & paperboard, and glass. Plastic materials hold the highest share of the global market. Plastic packaging materials are widely used to develop inflexible packaging products by manufacturers globally. High strength, stability, and easy molding into various shapes & sizes are the fundamental properties that lead to the growth of the plastic segment in the global market. Rigid plastic is mainly preferred over any other material owing to its less weight, cost, and formability characteristics.

By Product Type Analysis

Containers & Cans Hold the Largest Share Owing to their Versatile & Recyclable Properties

Based on product type, the market is segmented into boxes, trays, containers & cans, bottles & jars, pallets, and others. Containers & cans segment is the dominating segment of the global market. Containers & cans are used on a large scale in several end-use industries such as food and beverages, household, and personal care owing to their versatile and recyclable properties. Glass cans or containers maintain and preserve the freshness of the food products for a more extended period. Additionally, the external features do not affect the products, thus leading to huge demand. New product launches by manufacturers also contribute to the growth of the segment.

By End-use Industry Analysis

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Food & Beverages Dominates the Market Due to the Widespread Usage of Stiff Packaging in the Food Industry

Based on end-use industry, the market is segmented into food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, personal care & cosmetics, electrical & electronics, household, e-commerce, and others. The food & beverages segment is the leading end-use industry of the market. The augmenting demand for packaged and processed food products owing to the changing lifestyle trends is the key factor driving the growth of the food and beverage end-use industry. Moreover, the rising consumption of ready-to-eat food products also aids the segment's growth. Increasing retail food outlets and development in food products are projected to boost segment growth in the forthcoming years.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The global market is analyzed across Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, North America, and the Middle East & Africa.

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Asia Pacific dominates the global rigid packaging market share. The rapid expansion of the food & beverage and pharmaceutical industries drives the growth of the market in the region. Emerging economies, such as India and China, are anticipated to expand rapidly over the forecast period. North America is the second-most dominating region of the global market. The increasing demand for rigid plastic packaging from several end-use industries, changing lifestyle trends, and rising urban population propel the market growth in this region. The Europe market is expected to grow at a moderate rate. The key factors that enhance the market growth are the emerging personal care industries and surge in demand for processed and packaged foods among consumers in the region. Latin America is considered one of the world's promising regions. The growth can be attributed to the changing consumer lifestyle and increasing disposable incomes.

List of Key Companies in Rigid Packaging Market

Key Participants in the Market Observing Significant Growth Opportunities

The global market is competitive and highly fragmented. In terms of market share, a few major rigid packaging players dominate the market by offering innovative packaging. These players are constantly focusing on expanding their customer base across regions.

A few major players in the market include ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner, Amcor Plc, Ardagh Group SA, Ball Corporation, and others. Other players operating in the market are focused on delivering advanced packaging solutions.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner (Austria)


• Amcor Plc (Australia)


• Ardagh Group SA (Luxembourg)


• Ball Corporation (U.S.)


• Can Corporation of America Inc. (U.S.)


• Crown Holdings Inc. (U.S.)


• DS Smith Plc (U.K.)


• Gerresheimer AG (Germany)


• Graham Packaging Co. LP (U.S.)


• KP Holding GmbH and Co. KG (Germany)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• November 2022 - The world's leading sterilization packaging material manufacturer, STERIMED, launched an innovative substrate, POLYBOND CGP 85, especially for the requirements of customers. The launch is a new addition to a polymer-reinforced cellulose-based portfolio for the healthcare industry.


• September 2022 - Borealis and ITC Packaging, a leading global European manufacturer of thin wall packaging for food-contact applications, collaborated to develop a series of new & more sustainable packaging formats that are primarily suitable for products with food contact.


• October 2021 - Pactiv Evergreen Inc. declared that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pactiv Evergreen Group Holdings Inc., has completed the acquisition of Fabri-Kal, a top manufacturer of food service & consumer brand packaging solutions.


• June 2020 - Amcor announced the acquisition of the leading position in engineering and design technology to design & develop the lightest 900-ml Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottle for edible oil in Brazil.


• February 2020 - Plastipak declared a strategic investment in the lightweight finish technology for carbonated beverage bottles. The acquisition will enable the commercialization of a family of preforms in the U.S. & Europe, which utilizes the lightest weight neck finish designed for carbonated beverages.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The global rigid packaging market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as key players, competitive landscape, product/service types, Porters five forces analysis, and leading applications of the product. Besides, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the above factors, the report encompasses several factors that contributed to the market's growth in recent years.

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