UK Sustainable Packaging Market

UK Sustainable Packaging Market Overview:

The UK sustainable packaging market size reached USD 9.71 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 18.70 Billion by ​2033​, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 7.56% during 2025-2033. The market is driven by the rising government regulatory measures on plastic utilization and waste management, the rising consumer demands for environmentally friendly and recyclable packaging, heightened awareness regarding environmental degradation and carbon footprint minimization, and developments in biodegradable and compostable packing materials.

UK Sustainable Packaging Market Trends:

Increasing Government Regulations and Environmental Policies

The UK sustainable packaging market is primarily driven by the increasing government regulations aimed at reducing plastic waste and encouraging environmentally friendly packaging practices. The government in the UK has introduced several initiatives, including the Plastic Packaging Tax, which became operational in April 2022. This tax targets plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled material, encouraging businesses to use more environmentally friendly materials. Additionally, bans on single-use plastics and increased recycling rates have encouraged companies to reconsider how they package. The growing interest in sustainable products is also being driven by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative, which makes producers responsible for the environmental footprint of their packaging. These regulations are forcing businesses in numerous industries to adopt environmentally friendly packaging solutions so that they can meet the laws and prevent economic sanctions, enabling the implementation of sustainable packaging solutions.

Growing Consumer Demand for Eco-Friendly Products

The growing consumer interest in environmentally friendly products is heavily impacting the UK sustainable packaging industry. The concern for environmental degradation and the harmful effects of plastic pollution is on the rise. Due to this, consumers are turning toward products that are packaged in sustainable materials. Many individuals are actively seeking brands that prioritize eco-friendly packaging processes. According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2023, 86.5% of the UK adults reported making lifestyle changes to address environmental issues, reflecting the growing focus on sustainability, which has become a major purchasing criterion. As a result, companies are embracing greener packaging solutions to cater to this demand and strengthen their position in the market. This trend is particularly prominent in the food, beverage, and personal care sectors, where packaging plays a significant role in consumer perception. The demand for recyclable, compostable, and biodegradable packaging materials is increasing as companies seek to align with the expectations of environmentally conscious consumers, creating a favorable market outlook overall.

UK Sustainable Packaging Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the region level for 2025-2033. 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:

• London
• South East
• North West
• East of England
• South West
• Scotland
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire and The Humber
• East Midlands
• Others

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include London, South East, North West, East of England, South West, Scotland, West Midlands, Yorkshire and The Humber, East Midlands, and others.

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.

UK Sustainable Packaging Market News:

• In July 2024, UK chemical corporation, 2M Group of Companies, announced the start of Sustainable Packaging Technologies, a new business division dedicated to eco-friendly packaging. The unit aims to showcase the expanding range of biomaterial solutions offered by the company.
• In June 2024, West London sustainable packaging startup Aeropowder has secured an investment of £150,000 from the British Design Fund. The feather-based firm plans to use the funding to help launch its new thermal packaging solution, “PluumoPlus.

UK Sustainable Packaging Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the UK sustainable packaging market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the UK sustainable packaging market on the basis of material?
• What is the breakup of the UK sustainable packaging market on the basis of type?
• What is the breakup of the UK sustainable packaging market on the basis of packaging format?
• What is the breakup of the UK sustainable packaging market on the basis of process?
• What is the breakup of the UK sustainable packaging market on the basis of application?
• What is the breakup of the UK sustainable packaging market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the UK sustainable packaging market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the UK sustainable packaging market?
• What is the structure of the UK sustainable packaging market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the UK 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 UK sustainable packaging market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the UK 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 UK 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.