United Kingdom High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Market Outlook - Forecast Trends, Market Size, Share and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)

The United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market reached a volume of 2.34 Million Tons in 2024. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.30% from 2025 to 2034, potentially reaching 2.66 Million Tons by 2034.

United Kingdom High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Market Growth

The growth of the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market is driven by the material’s ability to get recycled easily. It aligns with the increasing demand for sustainable plastic solutions across several industries such as packaging, construction, and automobile manufacturing. Moreover, the recyclability of HDPE helps reduce the reliance on fossil fuels used as feedstock in its production, contributing to the conservation of natural resources.

To highlight the benefits of the same, major brands are marketing HDPE products as recyclable plastic to appeal to eco-conscious consumers, boosting the overall United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market value. For instance, in February 2022, Colgate launched its HDPE tube with the slogan “Recycle Me!”, to alert retailers and consumers that the tubes were recyclable and must be collected accordingly.

Further, the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market is also witnessing an expansion of HDPE production facilities by industry leaders to meet its growing demand across industries. Contributing to the trend, Biffa, a resource management firm, doubled its HDPE plastic capacity in March 2021, with the establishment of a new facility in Sunderland, United Kingdom. This facility, built with a EUR 13 million investment, increased the firm’s recycling capacity by 14,000 tonnes.

Key Trends and Recent Developments

Increasing adoption of recycled HDPE, wide applications in drainage systems, and advancements in production technologies are increasing the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market value.

September 2024

ISO-certified, UK masterbatch specialist, Broadway, introduced GrapheneXcel, a new range of graphene-enhanced masterbatches to improve the quality of manufactured HDPE, by enhancing its performance, strength, and durability, while also improving barrier properties, and reducing their overall weight.

October 2023

Berry Global, one of the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market key players, launched its first 20 and 25-litre containers containing 35% recycled HDPE material. These containers have been approved by the United Nations to transport hazardous goods for five of the six model liquids mentioned in the UN assessment. These include water, wetting solution, acetic acid, white spirit, and N-butyl acetate.

June 2023

TotalEnergies, a leading player in the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market, announced the commercial launch of a new HDPE resin, HDPE 20HD07, designed for tethered cap applications, with enhanced mechanical and organoleptic properties. The new resin enabled technical cap performance similar to market references, but with lesser material usage, enhanced recovery and improved recycling capabilities.

November 2021

Pulsar Fusion, a UK-based company, has developed and tested a high-power chemical rocket engine partly fuelled by recycled high density polyethylene and partly by nitrous oxide. The combined fuels produce a non-toxic exhaust plume, enabling the rocket engine to be used for a variety of applications, including launching people and satellites into space.

Adoption of recycled HDPE is accelerating the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market development

Growing environmental concerns among both plastic manufacturers and consumers have propelled the recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) demand growth in the country. These recycled polymers help reduce plastic waste and lower the consumption of fossil fuels, especially natural gas, petroleum, and naphtha, primarily used in their production processes. Realising their significant benefits, several partnerships have been formed to promote recycled HDPE in the country. For instance, UK-based firm INEOS partnered with LACTEL in May 2021 to produce the first set of UHT milk bottles from post-consumer recycled HDPE material.

Wide applications in drainage systems are increasing the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market revenue

HDPE is widely used to manufacture drainage pipes, both in residential and commercial infrastructure projects, raising the overall market revenue. It is primarily preferred due to its exceptional resistance to chemicals, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Contributing to the trend, Wavin, which holds a sizeable market share in the country, expanded its HDPE product range in 2021, to provide a complete solution for the removal of wastewater and rainwater. The expanded range comprised HDPE pipes and fittings with dimensions between 40mm and 315mm and resistance against impact as well as chemical corrosion.

Technological advancements are propelling the growth of the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) industry

Advancements in HDPE production technologies are playing a crucial role in the market growth, by improving the quality and productivity of the HDPE produced. Moreover, the integration of processing techniques such as AI and 3D printing has extended the scope of use of the material in major industries including automotive, packaging, and healthcare. For instance, TrueCircle, a UK-based computer vision tech company, launched its latest innovation, TrueCircle AI for Plastic Recyclers in June 2022 to help HDPE reprocessors and recyclers improve their productivity and profitability through AI-powered, real-time and highly accurate composition analysis.

Design innovations are creating new United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market opportunities

Design innovations in HDPE products are enhancing their overall appeal among consumers, creating new opportunities for market growth and expansion. Customers are encouraged to customise their shapes, sizes, and designs of HDPE products manufactured by a few market players, to suit their needs and utilisation purposes. Berry Global began distributing customisable, rectangular HDPE bottles to its residential and professional customers in June 2024, enabling easy stacking of the bottles for optimised space and storage use. Besides, the bottles were made from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic material that positively impacted the brand and product value.

United Kingdom High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Market Trends

Strict government regulations on plastic use are increasing the demand of HDPE

Strict government regulations on plastic use is significantly impacting the industry revenue, as the material’s recyclability aligns with governmental goals of sustainability and reducing plastic waste. A key example is the adoption of the new Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 which had set the target to limit residual municipal plastic waste to 42 kg per capita annually, by 31 st January 2028. Additionally, the plan also imposed a nationwide plastic packaging tax with effect from 1st April 2022 to encourage plastic recycling by stakeholders. Such efforts are expected to create new United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market opportunities in the years ahead.

United Kingdom High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Industry Segmentation

The report titled “United Kingdom High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Application

• Film and Sheet
• Injection Moulding
• Blow Moulding
• Wire and Cables
• Pipes and Tubes
• Others

Market Breakup by Feedstock

• Naphtha
• Natural Gas
• Others

Market Breakup by End Use

• Packaging
• Transportation
• Electrical and Electronics
• Building and Construction
• Industry and Machinery
• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• England
• Wales
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland

United Kingdom High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Market Share

Films and sheets represent the largest high density polyethylene market share in United Kingdom

According to the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market analysis, the market is led by films and sheets due to increasing demand from the food and beverage industry. HDPE is highly preferred for packaging processed food and beverage items, owing to their exceptional flexibility, durability, and ability to extend the shelf life of products. To meet their growing demand, stakeholders are emerging with several innovative ideas, such as manufacturing recycled HDPE from marine plastic wastes. In December 2023, UK-based packaging manufacturer Duo and Danish plastics recycler Plastix partnered to launch the new shrink film made from discarded items such as fishing gear and ropes for the outer packaging of food and beverage products. The move contributed significantly to increasing the production of HDPE in the United Kingdom.

Besides, the traditional use of HDPE for manufacturing pipes and tubes has been recorded at an all-time high in the region, increasing the overall United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market revenue. Major brands are participating in the production of HDPE drainage solutions by introducing a new and more efficient range of products under the guidance of industry leaders. For instance, Aliaxis UK, a pioneer in fluid management solutions, announced the launch of a new CPD, ‘The Benefits of HDPE Drainage Systems’ in December 2021 to provide best practice advice on specifying and installing Marley HDPE soil and waste systems.This CPDis helping professionals in the construction and plumbing sectors to enhance their understanding and implement best practices for installing HDPE drainage systems.

High natural gas production has increased the HDPE supply in the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market

According to the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market report, natural gas is the most widely used feedstock for producing HDPE, owing to its low cost, easy availability, and favourable chemical properties. Hence, its increasing production is having a positive impact on the overall supply of HDPE in the market. In 2023, natural gas accounted for 33 per cent of total energy production in the United Kingdom. This is expected to grow further in the coming years, due to high demand from several industrial sectors, thus creating new opportunities for the HDPE manufacturing industry in the region.

Automobile and packaging sectors are increasing the high density polyethylene (HDPE) demand in the United Kingdom

The automobile sector is increasing the demand for HDPE plastics in the country due to its wide applications in manufacturing automobile spare parts and components. They are not only preferred for their recyclability but also for their flexibility, lightweight and durable nature. It is primarily used to produce fuel tanks, bumpers, interior trims, and underbody shields offering extreme resistance against impact, chemical corrosion, and harsh weather. In September 2024, UK-based plastics fabrication company, Formation Plastics launched its first high-density polyethylene (HDPE) canal boat on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal highlighting its resistance to corrosion, rust, and high impact.

Moreover, the food packaging industry has also witnessed a demand growth for HDPE plastics owing to their lightweight and sustainability. Contributing to the trend, Nestle, a major market player in the food retail market, announced plans to introduce its new ISCC PLUS certified packaging for one of its leading brands, Nesquik, made with 50% recycled HDPE plastic for the UK market in the coming years.

United Kingdom High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Market Regional Analysis

Food industries in England and Wales lead the high density polyethylene demand growth

England and Wales are leading the demand growth for HDPE in the United Kingdom, primarily due to the continuous expansion of their food manufacturing industry. According to government estimates, manufactured food products accounted for 20.8%, the largest share in the sale of manufactured products in the country in 2023. This was followed by the Welsh food industry which not only employed more than 17% of the total workforce but also targeted to expand the value of the food chain to at least EUR 8.5 billion by 2025.

Additionally, England's rising automobile sales are contributing to the growth of the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market. HDPE is used in manufacturing various automobile components such as fuel tanks, bumper covers, interior trim parts, wheel arch liners and more. England’s automobile sales showed the largest value increase, up by 22% or EUR 9.6 billion in 2023, indicating a major demand growth for the material in the automobile manufacturing sector.

Competitive Landscape

United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market key players are increasingly choosing HDPE primarily to meet their sustainability and plastic recycling goals, creating an environmentally friendly market for consumers in the long term. To support this, they are promoting their HDPE products as recyclable plastics, raising consumer awareness and creating new opportunities in the HDPE market.

Dow Inc.

Founded in 1897, Dow Inc., a US-headquartered company, operated across multiple segments such as consumer goods and appliances, food and beverages, packaging, paper, and textiles. Its products are made from a range of plastics and polymers with unique properties, including plastic additives, polyethylene, polyurethanes, speciality polymer compounds and more.

INEOS AG

Headquartered in London, England, INEOS AG was established as a pioneer in the production of oil, gas, polymers, chemicals, and petrochemicals. The company has a vast global presence, with 194 production sites across 29 nations, serving high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility, healthcare, and consumer applications.

Exxon Mobil Corporation

Exxon Mobil Corporation was founded in 1972 and headquartered in the United States, has a significant presence in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom. Operating through three key brands, Exxon, Mobil, and Esso, the company is renowned for producing petroleum and petrochemical products for the transportation, power, and lubricant sectors

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

Headquartered in Texas, United States, LyondellBasell Industries was founded in 1972 as a global pioneer in providing sustainable solutions for the chemical industry, with precise emphasis on creating a low-carbon circular economy. Its product range includes a wide variety of polymers and polyolefins used in several applications in transportation, food safety, water purification, and quality healthcare.

Other key players considered in the United Kingdom high density polyethylene (HDPE) market report are TotalEnergies SE, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Lotte Chemical Corp., LG Corp., and Borealis AG, among others.