United Kingdom: Plastic Container Market 2025

Plastic Container Market Size in the UK

The UK plastic container market stood at $X in 2021, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, consumption saw a slight shrinkage. Plastic container consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Plastic Container Production in the UK

In value terms, plastic container production rose modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Plastic Container Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of plastic containers, when their volume increased by 26% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic container exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 44%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Ireland (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main destinations of plastic container exports from the UK, with a combined 40% share of total exports. Poland, Germany, Sri Lanka, Spain, the United States, South Africa, Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Sweden and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the Dominican Republic (with a CAGR of +90.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), the United States ($X) and Ireland ($X) constituted the largest markets for plastic container exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 37% share of total exports. France, Germany, Spain, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Portugal, Sweden, the Dominican Republic and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 43%.

The Dominican Republic, with a CAGR of +70.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average plastic container export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 2.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 30% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Sri Lanka ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Belgium (+18.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Container Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, overseas purchases of plastic containers decreased by -15.4% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after three years of growth. Overall, imports, however, saw a tangible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 50%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, plastic container imports declined slightly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -5.6% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 35% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Ireland (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main suppliers of plastic container imports to the UK, together comprising 47% of total imports. The Netherlands, China, Italy, Turkey, Israel, India, the United Arab Emirates, Poland, France and Greece lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Greece (with a CAGR of +68.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), China ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) appeared to be the largest plastic container suppliers to the UK, with a combined 40% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Turkey, Israel, France, India, the United Arab Emirates, Greece and Poland, which together accounted for a further 40%.

Among the main suppliers, Greece, with a CAGR of +62.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average plastic container import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 18% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, plastic container import price increased by +84.1% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 26%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Ireland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+5.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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