Plastic Bags and Sacks Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Plastic Bags and Sacks Market is projected to expand from USD 26.68 Billion in 2025 to USD 37.46 Billion by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 5.82%. Defined as flexible packaging containers made from thin polymeric films, these products are widely used for containing and transporting commercial goods. Market expansion is bolstered by the materials' economic efficiency and durability, which provide distinct advantages such as superior moisture resistance and lower shipping weights compared to rigid alternatives. Data from European Bioplastics in 2024 indicates that the packaging segment represented 45 percent of the global bioplastics production capacity.

A significant obstacle hindering market growth is the increasing regulatory pressure related to environmental sustainability and waste management. Governments across the globe are implementing bans and taxes on disposable plastics to reduce pollution, compelling manufacturers to invest in costly alternative materials or recycling infrastructure. This regulatory environment places financial burdens on producers, restricts volume growth in traditional product categories, and necessitates substantial operational modifications.

Market Drivers

The rapid growth of global e-commerce and last-mile delivery services serves as a major driver for the Global Plastic Bags and Sacks Market. As consumer habits shift toward online shopping, logistics providers demand packaging that is lightweight, durable, and water-resistant to lower shipping costs and ensure product protection during transit. Plastic mailers and courier bags provide functional advantages over rigid boxes by drastically lowering the volumetric weight of parcels and enhancing fuel efficiency within distribution networks. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 'Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales Report' in November 2024 notes that U.S. e-commerce sales rose by 7.4 percent in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year, underscoring the ongoing momentum in online retail that requires robust packaging supply chains.

Concurrently, the increasing demand for hygienic and contamination-proof food packaging is fueling the adoption of plastic sacks in the agricultural and grocery sectors. Flexible plastic containers are vital for maintaining the freshness of perishable items, extending shelf life, and preventing cross-contamination in meat, poultry, and produce supply chains.

This dependence is especially pronounced in the organized retail sector, where specific barrier properties are required for food safety compliance. According to the Flexible Packaging Association’s 'State of the U.S. Flexible Packaging Industry Report' from March 2024, the industry achieved USD 42.9 billion in annual sales for 2023, driven primarily by food applications. Furthermore, Plastics Europe reported in November 2024 that global plastics production hit 413.8 million tonnes in 2023, ensuring a reliable supply of raw materials for manufacturers.

Market Challenges

The intensifying regulatory landscape regarding environmental sustainability represents a significant obstacle to the Global Plastic Bags and Sacks Market. Governments globally are shifting from simple waste management guidelines to strict restrictions, such as outright bans on single-use plastics and mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR) initiatives. This legislative change directly limits sales volumes for traditional commodity products, compelling manufacturers to face declining demand for high-turnover items that have historically fueled revenue. The immediate result is a forced contraction in the addressable market for conventional polyethylene-based bags.

Moreover, complying with these evolving standards places a considerable financial burden on producers. Companies must redirect capital from capacity expansion toward legal compliance and the development of eco-friendly alternatives, often involving higher raw material costs and reduced profit margins. The pace of this legislative activity is significant; according to the Flexible Packaging Association, 49 bills related to extended producer responsibility (EPR) were introduced by U.S. state legislatures in 2024, indicating a rapid increase in the compliance burden. This regulatory volatility creates an uncertain operating environment that stalls investment in traditional production lines.

Market Trends

The integration of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) resins in manufacturing is emerging as a definitive trend as producers aim to decouple operations from fossil fuel dependency and achieve circular economy goals. Unlike basic waste management compliance, this move requires significant technical adjustments to multi-layer blown film extrusion processes to manage the rheological inconsistencies of recycled feedstock while preserving tensile strength. Manufacturers are aggressively scaling their procurement of reclaimed materials to meet the sustainability mandates of global consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands. This operational shift is measurable; Berry Global’s '2024 Sustainability Report' from March 2025 notes a 43 percent year-over-year increase in PCR purchases, signaling a robust move toward closing the loop in plastic sack production.

Simultaneously, the adoption of biodegradable and compostable polymer alternatives is gaining traction, specifically for food-contact applications where mechanical recycling is often impractical due to contamination. This trend involves the commercialization of advanced biopolymers like polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), which are engineered to provide barrier properties comparable to conventional polyethylene while ensuring end-of-life compostability. The supply side is rapidly expanding to meet this specialized demand, moving from niche status to industrial-scale availability. According to European Bioplastics’ 'Bioplastics Market Development Update 2024' from January 2025, global bioplastics production capacity is projected to reach approximately 5.73 million tonnes by 2029, highlighting the long-term investment viability of these non-fossil alternatives in the flexible packaging sector.

Key Players Profiled in the Plastic Bags and Sacks Market

• Berry Global Inc.
• Mondi
• Amcor PLC
• Inteplast Group
• Smurfit Kappa
• Novolex
• Bischof+Klein SE & Co. KG
• Alfa Poly Plast
• Goglio SpA
• ARIHANT PACKAGING

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Plastic Bags and Sacks Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Plastic Bags and Sacks Market, by Type:

• Gusseted Bags
• T-Shirt Bags
• Lay Flat Bags
• Rubble Sacks
• Trash Bags
• Woven Sacks
• Others

Plastic Bags and Sacks Market, by Material:

• Biodegradable v/s Non-Biodegradable

Plastic Bags and Sacks Market, by Application:

• Retail & Consumer Applications
• Institutional Services
• Institutional Services
• Others

Plastic Bags and Sacks Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Plastic Bags and Sacks Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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