Plastic Bags Market Size and Share Outlook - Forecast Trends and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)

The global plastic bags market size reached around USD 26.36 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.60% between 2025 and 2034 to reach nearly USD 37.54 Billion by 2034. The market growth can be attributed to the rapid growth of the e-commerce industry and increasing government investments in expanding the domestic plastic recycling infrastructure. Rapid technological advancements in recycling processes are also expected to sustain the market growth in the coming years.

Global Plastic Bags Market Growth

The growth of e-commerce industry is expected to favourably influence the plastic bags market dynamics over the forecast period. In H1 2024, e-commerce sales in China recorded a year-on-year growth of 9.8% and reached a value of USD 996 billion. In this, retail sales of different products reached 5.96 trillion yuan, thereby recording a year-on-year growth of 8.8%. Similarly, total e-commerce sales during this period in the United States surpassed USD 579.45 billion. This is expected to increase the demand for plastic bags for the safe and secure transportation of various items across different regions.

In September 2024, the US government introduced a bill for passing the “Accelerating a Circular Economy for Plastics and Recycling Innovation Act of 2024”. With the anticipated formalisation of this law, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can establish national standards to double plastic recycling rates in over 9,000 jurisdictions across the United States. The government is also expected to mandate the use of 30% recycled content in plastic packaging by 2030 and incentivise the usage of recyclable plastic packaging. This is anticipated to create a favourable plastic bags market outlook in the forecast period.

Key Trends and Developments

The shift towards sustainability; soaring appeal of customisation; evolving business strategies of wholesalers; and rapid technological advancements are the major factors driving the plastic bags market growth.

December 2024

Sonoco Products Co. signed an agreement with a Tokyo-based company Toppan Holdings Inc. to sell its thermoformed and flexible packaging (TFP) business for USD 1.8 billion. This is expected to bolster its focus on the consumer goods and industrial paper packaging businesses while enabling the latter to expand its existing portfolio of packaging solutions for the healthcare and food and beverage industries.

November 2024

In collaboration with T2 Maschinenbau, Berry Global Inc. launched Single Wound Sheet (SWS) films comprising 50% recycled plastic content to manufacture PE bags for various commercial and industrial applications. These sheets guarantee exceptional clarity and depth of printing surface and can be decorated with around 10 colour prints to maximise branding and labelling space on packaging products. This is expected to facilitate the plastic bags market development in the coming years.

September 2024

Amcor plc launched a Clear-Tite 40 shrink bag that enables retailers to pack fresh/processed meat products in a visually appealing way for consumers. This bag is 19% lighter than standard 50µ shrink bags and reduces carbon emissions by 16%. It is a ‘wrinkle-free’ packaging solution that ensures high shrink performance while being printable, thereby assisting brands in branding and labelling operations. The introduction of such products is expected to increase Amcor’s plastic bags market share significantly in the coming years.

August 2024

Berry Global announced the availability of its Circular range of beauty and personal care packaging with CleanStream recycled plastic. The company’s proprietary technology recycles nearly 40% of polypropylene (PP0 waste collected from UK households. This move by the company is aimed at bolstering the company’s shift towards sustainability while providing brands with eco-friendly packaging options.

Growing shift towards sustainability

Major plastic bag manufacturers are producing bags from biodegradable or post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials to minimise waste generation and promote circular economic development. By enhancing their portfolio of eco-friendly plastic bags, they are creating a robust and long-lasting alternative to conventional plastic bags that harm the environment. This is expected to increase the plastic bags market revenue over the forecast period.

Growing demand for plastic bags with aesthetic appeal and customisation

Technological advancements in printing technologies have enabled packaging companies to provide plastic bags in customised styles, patterns, and colours. This serves as an effective marketing tool that enhances brand image and leaves a long-lasting impact on customers’ minds. These bags are extremely popular for commercial applications, which is facilitating the plastic bags market expansion.

Technological advancements

The development of compostable plastics has revolutionised plastic production by enabling companies to offer environment-friendly packaging solutions. Moreover, by adopting new production methods (such as process automation), companies are increasing the plastic bags market value by reducing costs and speeding up processes.

Evolving strategies of wholesale plastic bag producers

Plastic bag wholesalers are rethinking their strategies and providing businesses with small batches of recyclable and customisable plastic bags that balance their priorities of affordability and sustainability. This is driving the market growth by increasing plastic bags sales.

Global Plastic Bags Market Trends

Focus on plastic recycling

By March 2027, kerbside recycling of flexible plastic packaging products is likely to become mandatory in the United Kingdom. This is prompting companies like Berry Global Inc. to make significant investments in upgrading their existing capacity for recycling plastic bags. Such strategic initiatives by plastic packaging companies are expected to create a favourable plastic bags market outlook in the forecast period.

Introduction of innovative plastic shrink bags

Amcor plc’s Clear-Tite 40 shrink bag is expected to enable manufacturers to cut down on their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees by 19%, especially in countries like the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. As per the plastic bags market analysis, companies like Nestle are also introducing recyclable shrink bags that maintain product freshness and allow consumers to inspect fresh/processed food products easily at retail stores. This is expected to drive the market development over the forecast period.

Global Plastic Bags Industry Segmentation

The report titled “Global Plastic Bags Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Breakup by Bag Type

• Zipper Bags
• T-shirt Bags
• Gusseted Bags
• Slider Bags
• Garbage Bags
• Others

Breakup by Material

• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
• Polylactic Acid (PLA)
• Others

Breakup by End Use

• Retail
• Commercial
• Institutional
• Household

Breakup by Distribution Channel

• Distributors
• Direct Sales
• Online Channel
• Others

Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Global Plastic Bags Market Share

Based on region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Over the forecast period of 2025-2034, the demand for market bags in the Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.0% as a result of the rapid growth of the e-commerce industry. Moreover, Latin America is expected to witness a CAGR of 3.9%, due to the introduction of bio-based packaging solutions. This is expected to increase the plastic bags market revenue in the long run.

Based on bag type, the market is segmented into zipper bags, t-shirt bags, gusseted bags, slider bags, and garbage bags, among others. Over the forecast period of 2025-2034, the market for zipper bags is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% due to the rising demand for practical and safe packaging solutions. Besides, the plastic bags market development is also expected to be driven by the increasing application of slider bags for storage of food and electronics items.

Leading Companies in the Global Plastic Bags Market

As per the plastic bags market analysis, major players are minimising the consumption of single-use plastics, adopting sustainable packaging solutions, and boosting their investments in expanding their existing plastic recycling infrastructure. These initiatives align with global efforts to promote environmental sustainability and reduce the usage of non-biodegradable plastics.

Sonoco Products Co.

Sonoco Products Co. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in South Carolina, United States. It produces a wide range of packaging solutions for the consumer goods, industrial, and healthcare sectors in 34 countries.

Advance Polybag, Inc.

Advance Polybag, Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Texas, United States. It uses resins derived from domestically produced natural gas to manufacture plastic bags in its state-of-the-art extrusion, bag-making, and printing facility.

Rutan Poly Industries, Inc.

Rutan Poly Industries, Inc. is headquartered in New Jersey, United States. It specialises in producing custom-printed plastic bags, zipper-style bags, gusseted plastic bags, and tape bags, among others.

Royal Bag Inc.

Royal Bag Inc. was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in New York, United States. It produces packaging containers and plastic bags from virgin polyethylene.

Other players included in the plastic bags market report are Berry Global Inc., Polypak Packaging, Corporation, Caltex Plastics, Amcor Plc, Bischof+Klein SE & Co. KG, International Plastics Inc., among others.