India Sustainable Packaging Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Material, Type, Packaging Format, Process, Application, and Region, 2026-2034

India Sustainable Packaging Market Overview:

The India sustainable packaging market size reached USD 10,226.21 Million in 2025. The market is projected to reach USD 17,732.87 Million by 2034, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 6.31% during 2026-2034. The market is driven by stringent government regulations mandating extended producer responsibility and recyclable content requirements, which are compelling companies to transition toward eco-friendly packaging solutions. Additionally, national research and development (R&D) initiatives are fostering innovation in biodegradable and compostable materials, while rising corporate commitments and heightened consumer awareness about environmental sustainability are collectively expanding the India sustainable packaging market share.

India Sustainable Packaging Market Trends:

Government Regulatory Push and Extended Producer Responsibility

The Indian government has implemented comprehensive regulatory frameworks that are fundamentally reshaping the sustainable packaging landscape through stringent compliance requirements and accountability mechanisms. In July 2025, the government introduced the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, mandating QR code traceability on all plastic packaging starting from July 1, 2025, requiring every producer, importer, and brand owner to register on the Central Pollution Control Board portal and ensure machine-readable codes on packaging to track the entire lifecycle. The regulations require brands to incorporate at least 30% recycled content by 2025 and hold producers, importers, and brand owners accountable for collection, recycling, and safe disposal of the same amount of plastic packaging they introduce into the market. These Extended Producer Responsibility provisions are creating a paradigm shift in how companies approach packaging design, material selection, and end-of-life management. The regulatory environment also includes the ban on single-use plastics implemented in 2022, which prohibited items with low utility and high littering potential, further accelerating the transition toward sustainable alternatives. Additionally, in March 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) enacted new regulations allowing the use of rPET plastics in food contact materials and products, as long as they meet the relevant national standards or regulations. These comprehensive regulatory measures are incentivizing significant investments in recycling infrastructure, driving innovation in sustainable materials, and compelling businesses across sectors to fundamentally reimagine their packaging strategies to ensure compliance while meeting environmental objectives and consumer expectations for responsible packaging practices.

National R&D Initiatives Encouraging Innovation in Sustainable Materials

India's sustainable packaging sector is experiencing a transformational boost through dedicated national R&D initiatives that are fostering indigenous innovation in eco-friendly materials and technologies. In July 2024, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research launched the National Mission on Sustainable Packaging Solutions, led by CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, bringing together eight CSIR laboratories and industry partners to develop indigenous alternatives to multilayer packaging, PET and glass bottles, new biobased and biodegradable materials, and blockchain-based traceability solutions addressing critical challenges including microplastics and packaging waste utilization. This mission represents a concerted national effort to transition toward a net-zero future through domestic, advanced, and integrated innovations, with ambitious delivery plans that include developing comprehensive alternatives to conventional packaging materials and integrated solutions for smart packaging in the food industry. The research initiative is addressing fundamental issues related to microplastics, which have been detected in human tissues including brain, liver, and kidneys, highlighting the urgency of developing safer alternatives. The collaborative framework involving multiple research institutions and industry stakeholders is facilitating the rapid commercialization of laboratory innovations into market-ready sustainable packaging solutions. These research initiatives are positioning India as a potential global leader in sustainable packaging innovation, creating opportunities for technology exports while simultaneously addressing domestic environmental challenges through cutting-edge scientific solutions that balance functionality with ecological responsibility.

Rising Corporate Commitments and Consumer Demand for Eco-Friendly Packaging Solutions

The convergence of corporate sustainability commitments and evolving consumer preferences is driving unprecedented adoption of eco-friendly packaging solutions across India's diverse industrial landscape. Major multinational corporations operating in India have announced commitments to transition to 100 percent recyclable packaging for their Indian product portfolios, demonstrating the scale of corporate transformation underway. Consumer awareness about environmental issues including plastic pollution and climate change has reached unprecedented levels, with individuals increasingly favoring sustainable packaging options crafted from biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable materials instead of harmful plastics. This shifting preference is particularly pronounced among millennials and Generation Z consumers, whose lifestyles tend to be more eco-conscious and who actively seek brands that align with their environmental values. The beverage industry is witnessing significant transformation, with brands transitioning to eco-friendly options like biodegradable bottles, paper cartons, and recycled plastics to comply with government regulations and consumer expectations. Companies are recognizing that sustainable packaging is no longer merely a corporate social responsibility initiative but a strategic business imperative that influences brand perception, customer loyalty, and market competitiveness in an increasingly environmentally conscious marketplace where sustainability credentials can differentiate products and drive consumer choice.

India Sustainable Packaging Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2026-2034. Our report has categorized the market based on material, type, packaging format, process, and application.

Material Insights:

• Plastics
• Paper and Paperboard
• Glass
• Metal

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the material. This includes plastics, paper and paperboard, glass, and metal.

Type Insights:

• Rigid
• Flexible

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the type have also been provided in the report. This includes rigid and flexible.

Packaging Format Insights:

• Primary Packaging
• Secondary Packaging
• Tertiary Packaging

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the packaging format. This includes primary packaging, secondary packaging, and tertiary packaging.

Process Insights:

• Recyclable
• Reusable
• Biodegradable

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the process have also been provided in the report. This includes recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable.

Application Insights:

• Food and Beverages
• Personal Care and Cosmetics
• Healthcare
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application. This includes food and beverages, personal care and cosmetics, healthcare, and others.

Regional Insights:

• North India
• West and Central India
• South India
• East and Northeast India

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North India, West and Central India, South India, and East and Northeast India.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

India Sustainable Packaging Market News:

• March 2025: Oji India Packaging Private Limited inaugurated its fifth and largest manufacturing plant in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. The facility spans 43,000 square meters and has an annual production capacity of 100 million square meters of corrugated boxes and packaging accessories, making it the second-largest corrugated plant in South Asia. The automated plant specializes in heavy-duty boxes and sustainable packaging solutions for various industries, reinforcing Oji India's commitment to meeting the escalating demand for sustainable and high-quality corrugated packaging across South India.
• October 2024: ITC Packaging partnered with UK-based Frugalpac to introduce the Frugal Bottle, a sustainable paper packaging solution made from 94% recycled paperboard, to India and South Asia. This innovative bottle is five times lighter than glass and reduces carbon emissions by 84% compared to traditional glass bottles, while also achieving a water footprint four times lower.

India Sustainable Packaging Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the India sustainable packaging market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the India sustainable packaging market on the basis of material?
• What is the breakup of the India sustainable packaging market on the basis of type?
• What is the breakup of the India sustainable packaging market on the basis of packaging format?
• What is the breakup of the India sustainable packaging market on the basis of process?
• What is the breakup of the India sustainable packaging market on the basis of application?
• What is the breakup of the India sustainable packaging market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the India sustainable packaging market?
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the India sustainable packaging market?
• What is the structure of the India sustainable packaging market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the India sustainable packaging market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC's industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the India sustainable packaging market from 2020-2034.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the India sustainable packaging market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the India sustainable packaging industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.