United Kingdom Packaging Market Insights Forecasts to 2033

• The U.K. Packaging Market Size was valued at USD 58.3 Billion in 2023.
• The Market is growing at a CAGR of 2.16% from 2023 to 2033
• The U.K. Packaging Market Size is expected to reach USD 72.2 Billion by 2033

The United Kingdom Packaging Market is anticipated to exceed USD 72.2 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 2.16% from 2023 to 2033. The growing demand for luxury packaging, e-commerce packaging, and flexible packaging are driving the growth of the packaging market in the UK.     

Market Overview

Packaging is the process of encasing products in a bottle or wrapping them to prevent damage during storage and transit. It aids in identifying, characterizing, and promoting a product while keeping it safe and marketable. Packaging comprises a part of the complex system that provides goods from the point of manufacture to the point of consumption. Its main purpose is to protect and ensure the product’s safety and secure delivery to the final users (the product’s manufacturer or customer) in perfect and intact condition. Its function in a circular economy is to assist in eliminating product waste and preserve a product’s value for as long as necessary. There is a rising demand for eco-friendly materials due to their smaller environmental impact. The use of paper-based packaging- such as bags, pouches, and cartons has increased dramatically. Further, eco-friendly paper packaging solutions are in high demand due to the growing trend of online retail and environmental laws on non-biodegradable and non-recyclable packaging solutions. There is an increased trend for flexible and rigid packaging that meets diverse industry needs, with enhanced innovation in advanced printing technologies like flexography.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the UK packaging market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the United Kingdom packaging market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the UK packaging market.

Driving Factors

The increased manufacturing activities in the country surges the need for packaging and labelling. Factors including a rise in e-commerce sales, the need for recyclable and environmentally friendly packaging in the food & beverage sector, the growing need for product customization, and the expanding industrial packaging sector are driving up the expansion of the UK packaging market. The rise in regulations for plastic use has a significant effect on the market.          

Restraining Factors

The high cost of development the rising concept of recycling and the rising environmental concerns are restraining the market for packaging.

Market Segmentation

The United Kingdom Packaging Market share is classified into pack material and end-user vertical.

• The rigid plastics segment dominated the UK packaging market during the forecast period.

The United Kingdom Packaging market is segmented by pack material into rigid plastics, rigid metal, paper & board, flexible packaging, and glass. Among these, the rigid plastics segment dominated the UK packaging market during the forecast period. Rigid plastics are lightweight, portable, and convenient for on-the-go consumption, they are typically used for packaging of food and non-alcoholic beverage industries. The significant benefits of rigid packaging like excellent barriers, high stiffness, high strength, and recyclable properties are driving the market growth.

• The food segment is anticipated to grow at a rapid pace in the UK packaging market during the forecast period.

The United Kingdom packaging market is segmented by end-user vertical into food, beverage, healthcare, industrial, cosmetics, personal care & household care, and industrial care. Among these, the food segment is anticipated to grow at a rapid pace in the UK packaging market during the forecast period. Stand-up pouches are used for food packaging as they bear the capacity to maintain the freshness of food products and increase product shelf life. The rising demand for processed and frozen food as well as the increasing adoption of lightweight flexibles drive the market growth.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the U.K. packaging market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Amcor PLC
• DS Smith PLC
• Owens Illinois Inc.
• Crown Holdings Inc.
• Sealed Air Corporation
• Sonoco Products Company
• Graphic Packaging International LLC
• Ball Corporation
• Greif Inc.
• Westrock Company
• Silgan Holdings Inc.
• Can-Pack UK Ltd
• Mondi Group
• Huhtamaki Oyj
• Tetra Pak International SA
• Ardagh Group
• AptarGroup Inc.
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Recent Developments

• In April 2022, Responding to the increased market demand for post-consumer recycled (PCR) packaging solutions, flexible packaging leader, ProAmpac, announced the launch of its unique ProActive PCR Retort pouches. Both EU and FDA-compliant for food contact in retort applications, ProActive PCR Retort pouches are designed for pet and human food packaging.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at U.K., regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the United Kingdom Packaging Market based on the below-mentioned segments:

UK Packaging Market, By Pack Material

• Rigid Plastics
• Rigid Metal
• Paper & Board
• Flexible Packaging
• Glass

UK Packaging Market, By End-User Vertical

• Food
• Beverage
• Healthcare
• Industrial
• Cosmetics, Personal Care & Household Care
• Industrial Care