Intermediate Bulk Container Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material (Plastic, Metal, Corrugated), By End-use (Food, Chemicals & Petroleum, Pharmaceuticals, Others), By Region And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global intermediate bulk container market size was estimated at USD 13.4 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2022 to 2030. The factors attributed to drive the market are wide adoption in various industries and expanding global trade. However, volatile prices of IBC’s raw materials can impact the market growth to some extent.

An intermediate bulk container is a revolutionary container system that exhibits numerous potential applications in various end-use industries. IBC is a pallet-mounted, industrial-grade reusable sustainable container that is used for transporting and storing bulk liquids, powders, and other materials. IBC is capable of stacking which enhances space optimization and can be moved by a pallet jack or forklift. Hence, demand is increasing for shipping.

The U.S. represents the largest market in North America for the intermediate bulk container market as of 2021. The significant growth of the pharmaceutical and chemical sector in the country is driving the market demand. In addition, the increase in agriculture production and the rise in food processing companies are considered to be a vital factor to stimulate the growth of the IBCs market in the U.S.

The U.S. is home to some of the world’s largest chemical manufacturers including Dow Chemical Company, ExxonMobil, and DuPont. This attributes to the significant share in the chemical segment, as IBCs are the preferred packaging solution in the chemical industry.

The application of IBC in the pharmaceutical industry is anticipated to progress at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is largely due to the presence of a large number of pharmaceutical manufacturers in the U.S. In addition, the pharmaceuticals industry is growing at a high rate on account of rising chronic diseases. This is anticipated to result in a rise in the increasing demand for intermediate bulk containers from the pharmaceutical industry during the forecast period. IBCs are also widely utilized for flood control activities in the country.

Material Insights

Based on material, plastic commanded the largest share of 67.5% in terms of revenue in 2021. The IBCs are majorly made up of high-density polyethylene and propylene. Plastic IBCs are lightweight, offer high aesthetic appeal along with robust barrier properties with high tensile strength, and are less expensive compared to metals.

HDPE material-based intermediate bulk containers are one of the popular plastic types used in the market. These IBCs can withstand all types of weather conditions and are considered to be strong and sturdy for storing hazardous chemicals and sensitive ingredients, especially in the manufacturing sectors. These factors are attributable to the widespread penetration of plastic IBCs.

The demand for metal IBCs is expected to expand at a fast pace in the coming year owing to their reusable benefits. These IBCs are prominently used for transporting bulk liquids and powders and are also advantageous in stacking while transporting.

End-use Insights

The chemicals & petrochemicals segment emerged as the largest application segment in 2021. This segment is expected to claim a market share of 37.4% by 2030 to retain its pole position. IBCs are among the most widely used storage units in the chemicals & petrochemicals industry. These containers are considered ideal for the transportation and storage of petrochemicals and hazardous chemicals.

The pharmaceutical segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. The rising need for hygiene in the pharmaceutical industry has been necessitating the employment of industrial bulk containers over the years. Noticing a rising demand for these products from the pharmaceutical industry, key players are increasingly focusing on offering medical-grade IBCs.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific emerged as the largest market for industrial bulk packaging in 2021 with a share of 43.7%. Japan, China, and India are among the major markets in this region. Rising industrial spending has been the key factor driving the growth of the regional market. The region also encourages the entry of small- and medium-sized industries owing to various factors such as the availability of cheap land and labor. Such factors have further strengthened market growth in APAC.

Europe was the second-largest market for industrial bulk packaging in 2021. The region is driven by the healthy growth of the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, the presence of a large geriatric population in this region is expected to offer attractive growth opportunities for the market owing to the increasing production and consumption of pharmaceutical products.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is highly fragmented in nature with the presence of several medium and small-sized players. Most of the companies a hold strong footprint in the domestic markets. The competition is high between the players due to narrow product differentiation; however, the players compete in terms of the price of the product and services they offer. Several companies have been focusing on technological advancements such as tracking and temperature control aiming to capture market share. Some of the prominent players in the global intermediate bulk container market include:

• Greif, Inc.

• Mauser Packaging Solutions

• Schuetz Container System

• Synder Industries System

• Schafer Werke Gmbh

• DS Smith PLC.

• Mondi

• Thielmann- The Container Company

• Bulk Lift International LLC

• Schoeller Allibert

Intermediate Bulk Container Market Report Scope

Global Intermediate Bulk Container Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global intermediate bulk container market report based on material, end-use, and region:

• Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Plastic

  • Metal

  • Corrugated

• End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Food

  • Chemicals & Petroleum

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Others

  • Construction

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Million Units, Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • U.K.

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • South Korea

    • Australia

  • Central & South America (CSA)

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa (MEA)

    • Saudi Arabia