Packaging Market Report 2026

The packaging market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $1.18 trillion in 2025 to $1.23 trillion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of consumer goods manufacturing, expansion of organized retail, rising demand for packaged food and beverages, advancements in printing technologies, increased focus on product safety and shelf life.

The packaging market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.45 trillion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing emphasis on eco-friendly packaging solutions, rising investments in automated packaging lines, expansion of e-commerce driven packaging demand, growing adoption of digital printing, continued innovation in lightweight packaging materials. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of sustainable packaging materials, rising demand for smart and interactive packaging, growing use of flexible packaging formats, expansion of high-speed packaging automation, enhanced focus on brand differentiation.

The rising demand for e-commerce is expected to drive the growth of the packaging market in the coming years. E-commerce encompasses the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet, including online retail, digital transactions, and electronic business activities. Growth in e-commerce is fueled by enhanced consumer convenience, easy accessibility, and social media integration. Packaging plays a critical role in e-commerce by improving customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and facilitating easier handling, storage, and sorting during transit and in warehouses. For example, in August 2025, according to the US Census Bureau, a US-based government agency, retail e-commerce sales totaled $304.2 billion in Q2 2025, representing 16.3% of total retail sales, a 5.3% increase compared with the second quarter of 2024. Therefore, the increasing demand for e-commerce is contributing to the growth of the packaging market.

Key players in the packaging market are focusing on the development of sustainable packaging solutions, such as recyclable mono-material packaging, to enhance recyclability, material efficiency, and environmental performance. Recyclable mono-material packaging is made from a single polymer structure instead of multi-layer composites, allowing it to be more easily recycled through existing waste streams while still protecting the product. For example, in June 2025, Mondi Group, a UK-based packaging and paper manufacturing company, in collaboration with Saga Nutrition, a France-based pet food manufacturer, launched a recyclable mono-material dry pet food packaging solution designed to replace non-recyclable multi-material formats. The solution offers high barrier protection to preserve product freshness, strong mechanical durability for heavy pet food applications, and compatibility with established recycling infrastructure. This mono-material packaging enhances sustainability, supports circular economy goals, and reduces the environmental impact of pet food packaging.

In February 2024, Welch Packaging, a U.S.-based company that produces custom cardboard boxes, retail packaging, and e-commerce packaging, announced its acquisition of Innovative Packaging Solutions (IPS) for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition strengthens Welch Packaging's capabilities in custom packaging solutions and broadens its customer base. Innovative Packaging Solutions is a U.S.-based packaging firm that offers quality retail and industrial packaging, retail displays, and fulfillment services.

Major companies operating in the packaging market are WestRock Company, International Paper Company, Ball Corporation, Amcor Group GmbH, Berry Global Group Inc., Smurfit Kappa Group, Crown Holdings Inc., DS Smith PLC, Mondi Group, Sonoco Products Company, O-I Glass Inc., Can Pack SA, Silgan Holdings Inc., Greif Inc., Sealed Air Corporation, Alpla Group, Huhtamaki Oyj, Verallia SA, Aptar Group Inc., Gerresheimer AG, Vidrala S.A., UFlex Limited, Coveris Holding SA, Vitro S.A.B. De C.V.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the packaging market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the market. The regions covered in the packaging market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The packaging market consists of sales of cardboard boxes, plastic containers, glass bottles, and flexible packaging. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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