World Demand for Green Packaging to Reach $212 Billion in 2015

World demand for green packaging (which encompasses recycled content, reusable and degradable packaging) is projected to rise 5.7 percent per year to $212 billion in 2015. While recycled content packaging will remain by far the largest product type through the forecast period and beyond, this segment will see the slowest increases due to the maturity of products such as metal cans and glass containers. On the other hand, above-average demand growth is expected in reusable and degradable packaging. In particular, demand for degradable packaging will continue to see double-digit annual growth rates. These and other trends, including market share and product segmentation, are presented in World Green Packaging, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.

Gains in recycled content packaging will be supported by increased collection activity and processing capacity, coupled with greater use of recycled content packaging by firms seeking to demonstrate environmental responsibility and differentiate their products. Demand for reusable packaging will be boosted by an acceleration in global manufacturing activity. Degradable packaging will continue to see the fastest advances in demand, but will only account for approximately one percent of the overall green packaging market through 2015. 

The Asia/Pacific region will see above-average gains and remain the largest regional market in the world, due to its large food and beverage industries (which represent the main green packaging applications). Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Africa/Mideast region will also experience above-average growth, though advances in these areas will stem from smaller bases (collectively, these three regions only accounted for twelve percent of global green packaging demand in 2010). Overall, some of the fastest growth will be seen in Asia, specifically in India, China and Indonesia. Other developing countries such as Russia, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico are also expected to see healthy gains. 

The US, which accounted for 23 percent of global sales in 2010, is the largest national green packaging market in the world by a wide margin. Other large, generally mature markets include Japan and Germany. While Japan will remain one of the largest markets in the world, the country is forecast to see the slowest growth rate through 2015. Nonetheless, good opportunities will still be found in developed countries, especially for degradable packaging products.