Plastic Market Report 2026

The plastic market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $645.55 billion in 2025 to $675.32 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of plastic usage across industries, development of mass production molding techniques, growth of packaging and consumer goods sectors, availability of low-cost polymer materials, expansion of global manufacturing capacity.

The plastic market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $799.24 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in sustainable plastic alternatives, rising demand for recyclable packaging solutions, expansion of plastics in electric vehicle applications, growing regulatory pressure on plastic waste reduction, advancements in chemical recycling technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of recycled and bio-based plastics, rising use of advanced polymer processing technologies, growing demand for lightweight and high-performance plastics, expansion of circular economy plastic solutions, enhanced focus on regulatory-compliant plastic materials.

The rise in infrastructure development is expected to drive the expansion of the plastic market in the coming years. Infrastructure encompasses the essential systems and facilities that enable the operation and advancement of an economy or society. Growth in infrastructure projects is largely driven by the expanding urban population’s demand for improved transportation networks, housing, and essential public services. Plastics are integral to infrastructure development because of their adaptability, long lifespan, and affordability. They are extensively utilized in water supply, sewage, and drainage piping systems due to their strong resistance to corrosion and chemical damage. For example, in July 2025, a report released by the Office for National Statistics, a government agency in the UK, stated that total general government investment in infrastructure increased by 2.2% to US$38 billion (£28.9 billion) in current prices in 2024 compared to 2023. As a result, rising infrastructure development is set to support the growth of the plastic market.

Leading companies in the plastic industry are increasingly concentrating on the development of innovative offerings such as PLA-based bioplastic films to address the growing demand for sustainable and biodegradable alternatives that minimize environmental impact. PLA-based bioplastic films are polymers produced from renewable plant-derived sources like corn starch, providing flexibility, moldability, and barrier performance comparable to conventional plastics, while also being compostable under industrial conditions. For example, in March 2025, NatureWorks, a US-based bioplastics producer, introduced an advanced PLA grade specifically developed for biaxially oriented PLA (BOPLA) film manufacturing. This new PLA grade allows film producers to achieve up to seven times transverse stretching on existing equipment, enhance manufacturing efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver faster biodegradability than earlier PLA grades. The material is well suited for flexible packaging uses including coffee capsules, confectionery wrappers, and condiment sachets, supporting corporate sustainability objectives without compromising functional performance.

In August 2023, DuPont, a US-based chemical company, acquired Spectrum Plastics Group for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition aligns closely with DuPont’s strategic objectives and is anticipated to boost the company’s overall revenue growth. It will enable DuPont to offer a wider, more integrated range of solutions for critical healthcare applications driven by customer-focused innovation. Spectrum Plastics Group is a US-based manufacturer specializing in plastic products.

Major companies operating in the plastic market are ExxonMobil Chemical, BASF SE, Dow Inc., LyondellBasell Industries Holdings BV, SABIC, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Covestro AG, INEOS Group, Solvay SA, Westlake Corp., Amcor PLC, Berry Global Inc., Borealis AG, Braskem SA, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Arkema Group, Eastman Chemical Company, Celanese Corporation, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Hanwha Group, ALPLA Group, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, Huhtamaki Oyj.

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

The plastic market consists of sales of pipes, fittings, insulation boards, furniture items, and recreational items. 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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