Green Packaging Market by Packaging Type (Recyclable, Reusable, and Degradable), Application (Food and Beverage Industry, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, Personal Care, and Others), and Regional Analysis (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2031

Global Green Packaging Market Analysis

The Global Green Packaging Market size was $253.8 billion in 2021 and is predicted to grow with a CAGR of 8.7%, by generating a revenue of $561.6 billion by 2031.

Global Green Packaging Market Synopsis

There has been an increase in consumer awareness and demand for sustainable products that are eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable in the past few years. This has led to a rise in demand for green packaging solutions that reduce waste and are recyclable. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, they are preferring products that have a lower environmental impact, including packaging. In response to this, many companies are investing in green packaging solutions, including biodegradable materials, compostable packaging, and reusable containers. These solutions not only help to reduce waste but also help to improve the sustainability of the entire supply chain. Therefore, the green packaging market is expected to continue to grow as more companies adopt sustainable packaging solutions to meet consumer demand. These factors are anticipated to boost the green packaging industry growth in the upcoming years.

However, the lack of government initiatives such as recycling subsidies particularly in developing countries is expected to hinder the market growth. Also, natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes have an impact on the availability of raw materials for bioplastic and biodegradable packaging solutions because these raw materials are often generated from fruits and vegetables. In addition to production costs, the mechanical strength of bioplastics is lower than that of their petrochemical-based counterparts, which is expected to restrict the market growth in the future.

Governments of various countries are increasingly implementing green procurement policies, which require public agencies to prioritize sustainable products and services in their procurement processes. This is driving the demand for green packaging solutions in the public sector. Some governments are implementing eco-labeling schemes, which provide information to consumers about the environmental impact of products and packaging. This is driving the demand for packaging that can be labeled as eco-friendly. Moreover, governments are implementing taxes on carbon emissions, which incentivizes companies to reduce their carbon footprint. All of these factors are predicted to create significant growth opportunities for the key players operating in the green packaging market.

According to regional analysis, the Europe green packaging market accounted for the highest market share in 2021. Europe is the world's largest market for green packaging due to stringent regulations imposed by the European Union and other European countries concerning the use of single-use plastics. The European Directive introduced the concept of a circular economy, along with sustainability guidelines and goals.

Green Packaging Market Overview

Green packaging refers to the use of environmentally friendly, sustainable materials and products that have a minimal impact on the environment throughout their lifecycle. Green packaging aims to reduce the use of nonrenewable resources, waste, and the packaging industry's carbon footprint. Green packaging can be achieved in a variety of ways, including the use of recycled materials, biodegradable plastics, sustainable materials like bamboo or sugarcane, and other environmentally friendly solutions. Food & beverage packaging, cosmetics & personal care products, electronics, and other products are expected to benefit from green packaging.

COVID-19 Impact on Global Green Packaging Market

The COVID-19 pandemic had a moderate impact on the green packaging market. During the pandemic, people shifted their shopping preferences from offline shopping to online shopping. Moreover, e-commerce companies use paper-based packaging for delivering products. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic brought several uncertainties, leading to severe economic losses as various businesses across the world were standstill.  The outbreak led to a rise in demand for green packaged products, such as beverages, as consumers stocked up on essential goods. The global green packaging market witnessed significant growth due to the rise in demand for safe, hygienic, and disposable packaging. As a result of many governments' lockdown restrictions, countries around the globe shifted to online shopping for both essential and non-essential goods.

Governments across the globe had implemented lockdowns due to the high rate of coronavirus transmission and the prevalence of serious symptoms. Therefore, numerous industries stopped operating their industrial facilities, which resulted in a sharp decline in the need for green packaging materials for product packaging. This further reduced the market share growth for green packaging during the pandemic period. Therefore, the majority of the e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, and others increased their focus on the use of protective packaging. Many companies have increased their production capabilities to meet the growing demand for green packaging. The COVID-19 pandemic had both positively and negatively impacted the green packaging market. Companies in the green packaging industry have responded to these challenges by developing innovative and sustainable solutions that can meet the demand for packaging while minimizing their environmental impact.

Increase in Awareness Regarding the Negative Environmental Effects of Plastic and Other Non-Biodegradable Materials to Drive the Market Growth

Green packaging has immense applications across day-to-day products. For instance, the increase in awareness about the environmental impact of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials has led to a rise in demand for green packaging. Consumers are increasingly looking for sustainable and eco-friendly products, and green packaging is considered as an effective way to reduce the amount of waste generated. Green packaging offers several benefits over traditional packaging materials. Green packaging also reduces the amount of waste generated by products, as it can be easily recycled or composted. In addition, it helps businesses reduce their carbon footprint and meet their sustainability goals. There has been a significant shift towards the use of green packaging in recent years. Companies are now investing in sustainable packaging solutions to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly products. This has led to the development of new and innovative packaging materials and designs that are both functional and environmentally friendly. These are the major factors projected to drive the green packaging market growth during the forecast period.

To know more about global green packaging market drivers, get in touch with our analysts here.

High Cost of Raw Materials to Restrain the Green Packaging Market Growth 

The high cost of raw materials used to manufacture food packaging cartons is projected to hamper the green packaging market growth. Raw materials used in the production of green packaging can vary depending on the type of packaging, the intended use, and the market demand. Sustainable packaging materials are usually more expensive than traditional materials, making it difficult for businesses to implement green packaging practices while remaining competitive in their pricing. The cost of these materials can fluctuate depending on factors such as supply and demand, transportation costs, and government regulations. These are the major factors anticipated to hamper the green packaging market growth during the forecast period.

Growing Demand for Sustainable Packaging to Drive Excellent Opportunities in the Market   

Sustainable packaging is becoming increasingly important in the packaging industry as consumers demand environmentally friendly products. Consumers are increasingly looking for eco-friendly and sustainable products, and packaging is no exception. Sustainable packaging options like biodegradable, compostable, and reusable packaging are becoming more popular in the industry. Also, sustainable packaging options can often be cost-effective in the long run. For example, reusable packaging can reduce the need for constant replacements and save money on shipping costs. Sustainable packaging options help to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimize the environmental impact of packaging. Many countries and regions are implementing regulations and policies to reduce the use of single-use plastics and promote sustainable packaging. The sustainable and green packaging market presents a range of opportunities for companies to meet customer demand, save costs, differentiate themselves, comply with regulations, and reduce their environmental impact. All these factors are projected to create several growth opportunities for the major players operating in the market during the forecast period.

To know more about global green packaging market opportunities, get in touch with our analysts here.

Global Green Packaging Market, by Packaging Type

Based on packaging type, the market has been divided into recyclable, reusable, and degradable. Among these, the recyclable sub-segment accounted for the highest market share in 2021 and is estimated to show the fastest growth during the forecast period.

Global Green Packaging Market Size, by Packaging Type, 2021

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The recyclable sub-segment accounted for the highest market share in 2021 and is anticipated to show the fastest growth by 2031. Recycled content packaging makes better use of environmentally friendly techniques and resources. It is made up of a variety of materials such as paper, plastic, metal, glass, and others. These materials are reused as raw materials by manufacturers to create new packaging products, reducing excess pollution produced by packaging waste. Efforts by industry groups, brand owners, packaging companies, and others to promote sustainability programs aimed at increasing recycling rates of several types of packaging materials are expected to benefit the segment growth.

Global Green Packaging Market, by Application

Based on application, the market has been divided into food & beverage industry, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, personal care, and others. Among these, the food and beverage industry sub-segment accounted for the highest revenue share in 2021.

Global Green Packaging Market Growth, by Application, 2021

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The food & beverage industry sub-segment accounted for the highest market share in 2021. Many restaurants, fast food chains, packaged food companies, and casual dining venues are adopting molded pulp packaging and compostable packaging, which is expected to drive the food and beverages segment growth. Convenience food is driving the demand for food and beverage packaging owing to its portability, long shelf life, and ease of manufacturing. Frozen foods, snacks, finger foods, beverages, and other items are examples of convenience foods. Food products are typically served in hot, ready-to-go containers and require less preparation time. Consumers' hectic lifestyles, combined with the geriatric population, have resulted in the high use of convenience food.

Global Green Packaging Market, Regional Insights

The green packaging market was investigated across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Global Green Packaging Market Size & Forecast, by Region, 2021-2031 (USD Billion)

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The Market for Green Packaging in Europe was the Most Dominant

The Europe green packaging market accounted for the highest market share in 2021. Stringent government regulations governing the use of single-use plastics, as well as increased awareness about sustainability, have boosted the demand for green packaging across Europe. Government initiatives to encourage the use of green packaging solutions are a major factor driving the growth of the Europe green packaging market. Technological advancements and the implementation of stringent government regulations in various countries such as Germany, the UK, Italy, and France are expected to drive the regional market growth in the upcoming years.

Competitive Scenario in the Global Green Packaging Market

Investment and agreement are common strategies followed by major market players. For instance, in October 2019, L’Oréal announced the development of the first cosmetic tube made of paper to reduce the environmental impact of packaging.

Source: Research Dive Analysis

Some of the leading green packaging market players are Amcor, Tetra Laval, DuPont, Evergreen Packaging, Mondi, DS Smith, Nampak, Ball Corp., Sealed Air, and Be Green Packaging.