The European plastic packaging market has emerged from a two-year slump, with consumption projected to reach 12 million tons and a market value soaring to $49.5 billion by 2035. This shift marks a renaissance for an industry that had faced a downward trajectory, affirming the growing importance of plastic packaging in the region’s economy.

Market Rebound and Future Projections

According to a recently published report by IndexBox, total consumption in Europe for plastic packaging rebounded to 11 million tons in 2024, collectively valued at $40.4 billion. This marks a significant increase from the previous years, ending a consecutive decline that began in 2021. Despite the upswing, the overall market still shows a modest decrease compared to peak figures in earlier years, with the market forecasted to grow at a rate of +0.7% annually from 2024 to 2035.

In terms of market value, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of +1.9% is expected, suggesting a robust trajectory towards a total valuation of $49.5 billion by 2035. These figures indicate a cautious optimism regarding the future of plastic packaging in the European market.

Consumption Breakdown by Country

In 2024, consumer demand varied significantly across Europe, with Russia leading consumption at 1.8 million tons, followed closely by Germany at 1.4 million tons and Spain at 1.2 million tons. These three countries collectively accounted for approximately 39% of total consumption. Other key players like Italy, the UK, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Ireland made up a similar share of consumption.

Ireland notably shone in this landscape, experiencing the highest growth rates in both consumption and market size, achieving an impressive CAGR of +7.4%. The value perspectives tell a similar story, led by Germany ($5.3 billion), followed closely by Russia ($5.2 billion) and the UK ($4.7 billion).

Product Segmentation and Growth Trends

The main categories within the plastic packaging market include plastic sacks and bags, bottles, and boxes/crates. Notably, boxes, crates, and cases have emerged as the fastest-growing product segment, which amassed a market size of approximately $14.2 billion in 2024, representing a market shift toward heavier reliance on durable packaging types.

Production Dynamics

The production of plastic packaging in Europe also saw an increase, reaching 10 million tons in 2024, reversing the previous two years of decline. While production animations peaked at 12 million tons in 2013, the 2024 figures reflect a gradual recovery with significant contributions from key producers: Russia (1.8 million tons), Germany (1.2 million tons), and Spain (944,000 tons).

Despite the slight rebound in production levels, total production value has seen a decline to $38.4 billion in 2024, prompting industry analysts to comment on the unstable trends in the production landscape.

Import and Export Trends

The import landscape showed divergence, with plastic packaging imports declining by 12.2% in 2024 to reach 5.2 million tons. The notable decline follows a prolonged period of growth and reflects an ongoing stabilization in the market. European imports had peaked at 6.3 million tons in 2022, but have now returned to a lower figure.

Conversely, exports of plastic packaging faced a significant drop, falling 14.9% to 4.2 million tons in 2024. Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland stood out as key exporting nations, responsible for 67% of total exports. In terms of financial gains, the value of exports plummeted to $16.4 billion from its peak of $19.6 billion in 2023.

Both imports and exports highlighted the volatility of the European plastic packaging market, with significant fluctuations marking the most recent trends.

Pricing Trends for Imports and Exports

In 2024, the import price for plastic packaging stabilized at $3,524 per ton, remaining consistent with the previous year. However, prices exhibited a relatively flat trend overall, deviating only slightly during certain periods, notably spiking by 10% in 2021.

The export price in Europe also held steady at $3,944 per ton, illustrating broader stability across both trade perspectives within the plastic packaging market.

The Road Ahead for the Plastic Packaging Market

As the European plastic packaging market continues to navigate through challenges, the resurgence in consumption and production presents a promising outlook. With key player countries like Germany, Russia, and Ireland positioning themselves at the forefront of recovery, the industry’s dynamics are set to evolve.

As trends shift in response to increased demand for diverse packaging solutions, the market’s trajectory towards reaching significant milestones in consumption volume and value signifies an era of adaptation and growth in the European plastic packaging sector.

VN Plastic Co., Ltd is one of Vietnam’s leading manufacturers of plastic packaging products. We specialize in producing high-quality supermarket bags (T-shirt bags), roll bags, household trash bags, food-grade packaging, and stretch film for pallet wrapping — all serving the retail, consumer, foodservice, and logistics sectors. With a strong commitment to sustainable development and long-term partnerships, VN Plastic continuously invests in advanced technologies and optimizes our operations to meet the growing demands of global markets.