December 2025 marks the close of a year of steady growth for the global packaging industry, with a strong focus on sustainability, recycled materials, and eco-friendly packaging solutions.
The global packaging market is estimated to reach USD 1.1–1.18 trillion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of approximately 3–4% compared to the previous year. This growth is mainly driven by increasing demand from:
- E-commerce
- Packaged food
- Pharmaceuticals and healthcare
Key Trends Impacting Global Packaging Exports
1. Sustainability and Stricter Environmental Regulations
Environmental regulations such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) continue to expand across Europe and North America, requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for post-consumer packaging waste.
Key impacts include:
- Strong growth in exports of paper packaging, recycled packaging, and biodegradable materials
- Increasing pressure on traditional plastic packaging due to single-use plastic bans and environmental taxes
- Continued growth for recycled plastics, mono-material packaging, and recyclable flexible packaging
2. High-Growth Packaging Segments
🔹 Paper and Carton Packaging
- Global market size in 2025: USD 450–460 billion
- Growth driven by:
- Expansion of e-commerce
- Replacement of plastic with paper-based solutions
- Major export flows from Europe and Asia (China, Vietnam) to the Middle East and other Asian markets
🔹 Plastic Packaging
- Market size: USD 400–500 billion
- Remains the largest segment, though growth has slowed due to environmental regulations
- Flexible packaging (films and pouches) exported from Asia continues to lead due to cost competitiveness and large production capacity
🔹 Caps and Closures
- Market size in 2025: approximately USD 85 billion
- Growth supported by demand from:
- Beverages
- Pharmaceuticals
- Cosmetics
Global Trade and Supply Chain Impact
- The Asia-Pacific region (notably China, India, and Vietnam) remains the largest production and export hub, accounting for over 40% of global packaging output.
- North America and Europe focus on:
- High-value packaging
- Sustainable materials
- Advanced packaging technologies
Major M&A activities, such as Amcor’s acquisition of Berry Global, continue to drive innovation and export of new technologies.
- Trade tensions and geopolitical risks have caused partial supply-chain disruptions; however, strong year-end demand from holidays and e-commerce has largely offset these challenges.
Short-Term Outlook: End of 2025 and Early 2026
- December remains a peak export season due to:
- Christmas
- New Year
- Preparations for Lunar New Year
- Export demand is strongest for:
- Food packaging
- Beverage packaging
- Gift and festive packaging
- Sustainable packaging (paper and recycled materials) is expected to grow faster than conventional plastic packaging.
- Year-end market reports consistently highlight the green transition as a long-term, irreversible trend in the packaging industry.
Conclusion
Overall, the global packaging export market in 2025 remains stable and resilient, with a clear shift toward sustainability and recyclable materials, despite challenges related to regulations and raw material costs.
📌 To remain competitive, packaging exporters should:
Adapt flexibly to market-specific regulations
Accelerate material innovation
Invest in sustainable technologies
How to Contact Us
For more information about our Produce Bags on Roll made by Hanpak, or for any other plastic packaging solutions, please reach out to us:
- Email: info@hanpak.com.vn
- Hotline (Mobile/WhatsApp): +84 898 545 893
Our friendly team is always ready to support you. Contact us today to place your order and experience the quality, reliability, and convenience of Hanpak’s products!