South America Single Use Packaging - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The South America single use packaging market size was valued at USD 1.82 billion in 2025 and is estimated to expand from USD 1.89 billion in 2026 to USD 2.29 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 3.91% during the forecast period 2026-2031. This report is segmented by Material (Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and More), Product Type (Bottles, Pouches and Sachets, Clamshells, and More), End-Use Industry (Quick-Service Restaurants (QSR), and More), Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, and More), and Geography. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

South America Single Use Packaging Market Trends and Insights

Food Delivery and Quick-Service Restaurant Expansion

Brazil’s food delivery sector was the world’s fourth largest by revenue in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 29.5 billion by 2030. The number of users is projected to reach 90.5 million by 2028. Meituan’s Keeta entered Brazil in 2025, while 99Food returned with BRL 2 billion (USD 0.4 billion). iFood committed BRL 17 billion (USD 2.98 billion) through March 2026, increasing competition among delivery platforms. These platforms increase demand for tamper-evident containers, thermal liners, and resealable pouches that protect food during delivery and preserve presentation quality across multi-leg urban routes. Firehouse Subs also announced plans in January 2025 to open more than 500 Brazilian restaurants over 10 years, which supports standardized packaging demand across its franchise network.

Packaged Food and Beverage Processing Growth

Brazil’s flexible plastic packaging sector generated BRL 40.1 billion (USD 7.04 billion) in gross revenue in 2025, rising 6.2% from the preceding year. Agricultural flexible packaging consumption rose 9.7% in 2025, while the agro-industrial segment increased 10.1%. Production reached 2.321 million tons against installed capacity of 3.297 million tons, leaving capacity available for further conversion to shelf-ready packaged goods. This available capacity can serve branded food producers moving from unpackaged formats to packaged stock-keeping units without a material near-term need for greenfield plants. Formal retail expansion in secondary cities is raising packaging intensity in protein, dairy, and ambient grocery categories, where branded product presentation and transport requirements are increasing. Beverage producers are also using more portion-controlled bottles, cans, and aseptic pouches across different price points and distribution channels.

Extended Producer Responsibility and Single-Use Plastic Restrictions

Federal Decree No. 12,688 requires manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to participate in a national reverse-logistics system for plastic packaging. The system has a 32% recovery target for 2026 and a 50% target for 2040. Buenos Aires and Córdoba introduced local limits on plastic clamshells and lidded cups in foodservice. These rules shift some demand to fiber-based products and add compliance requirements for national brands. Mid-sized converters may need 2 to 3 years for investment, certification, and customer reapproval. The South America single use packaging market is consequently placing greater value on scale, certification capability, and compliant material supply.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• E-Commerce and Quick-Commerce Fulfillment Demand
• Recyclable Mono-Material Conversion
• Food-Grade Post-Consumer Resin Scarcity

Segment Analysis

Polyethylene held 35.05% of the South America single use packaging market share in 2025. Its position reflects broad use in flexible food films, shrink wrap, and stand-up pouch substrates. These applications serve food and beverages, quick-service restaurants, and personal care producers. LDPE and LLDPE together accounted for 73% of Brazilian flexible packaging production volume in 2025. Polypropylene accounted for 15% of Brazilian flexible packaging production and remains relevant for rigid cups, trays, and lids.

Polystyrene remained in foam trays, cups, and clamshells, although municipal restrictions in Buenos Aires and Bogotá limited its addressable demand. PET production reached 807 thousand tons in Brazil in 2025 and supported natural juice, dairy protein, and home-care formats. Other materials, including polylactic acid and bio-based formats, are projected to expand at a 4.47% CAGR through 2031. Braskem's 275,000 tons per year bio-based polyethylene capacity gives buyers an industrial-scale alternative for mono-material packaging. Bio-based PE sales volumes rose 49% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the first quarter of 2026, reflecting improved commercial opportunities and seasonal effects.

Bottles held 36.14% of the South America single use packaging market size in 2025. Beverage producers depend on PET bottles for carbonated soft drinks, water, edible oil, and juices. The region's population and export activity support recurring demand across these categories. Brazil maintained 807 thousand tons of virgin PET resin production in 2025. Clamshells remain common for fresh-produce retail in Colombia and Argentina.

Trays, cups, and lids gain from quick-service restaurant expansion into secondary cities. Films and wraps serve fresh protein and produce exports that need barrier performance and reliable sealing. Pouches and sachets are projected to expand at a 4.67% CAGR through 2031. Their demand is supported by condiment packaging, e-commerce grocery fulfillment, and personal care refill formats. Amcor installed a Moda Vac rotary vacuum chamber sealing system in Brazil during June 2026 with Barra Mansa Alimentos, illustrating the role of equipment programs in promoting high-barrier protein packaging.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Material
  • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
  • Polyethylene (PE)
  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Polystyrene (PS)
  • Other Materials
• By Product Type
  • Bottles
  • Pouches and Sachets
  • Clamshells
  • Trays, Cups, and Lids
  • Films and Wraps
  • Other Product Types
• By End-Use Industry
  • Quick-Service Restaurants (QSR)
  • Full-Service Restaurants (FSR)
  • Food and Beverages
  • Healthcare and Pharmaceutical
  • Personal Care and Cosmetics
  • Other End-Use Industries
• By Distribution Channel
  • Direct Sales
  • Indirect Sales
• By Geography
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Colombia
  • Rest of South America

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Amcor plc
• Sealed Air Corporation
• Mondi plc
• Sonoco Products Company
• Huhtamäki Oyj
• Coveris Management GmbH
• Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH
• ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG
• Plastipak Holdings, Inc.
• Braskem S.A.
• ZARAPLAST Packaging Industry and Commerce Ltda.
• Petropack S.A.
• Videplast Indústria de Plásticos Ltda.
• Valgroup
• Lord Brasil Indústria e Comércio de Embalagens Ltda.
• Globalpack Indústria e Comércio de Embalagens Ltda.
• Soluplex Indústria e Comércio de Embalagens Ltda.
• Kurma Descartáveis Sustentáveis Ltda.
• OEKO Bioplásticos Ltda.
• C-Pack Creative Packaging Ltda.
• Revpack Indústria de Plásticos Ltda.
• Real Plastic Indústria e Comércio de Embalagens Ltda.
• Klabin S.A.
• Suzano S.A.
• Smurfit Westrock plc

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support