GVR Report cover Post-consumer Recycled Plastics Market Size, Share & Trends Report

Post-consumer Recycled Plastics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Source (Bottles, Non-bottle Rigid), By Type (Polypropylene, Polystyrene, Polyethylene), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027

  • Report ID: GVR-4-68038-806-0
  • Number of Pages: 110
  • Format: Electronic (PDF)

Report Overview

The global post-consumer recycled plastics market size to be valued at USD 16.7 billion by 2027 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6% during the forecast period. Increasing plastic consumption in the production of lightweight components, which are used in various industries including construction, automotive, and food processing, is projected to support the growth of the market over the forecast period. Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic situation, demand for various packaging products has increased owing to the rise in the online purchase of electrical and electronics, cosmetics, personal care products, and personal protective equipment products, such as gloves, face masks and various products. This, in turn, is driving the demand for post-consumer recycled plastics in packaging applications.

Post-consumer Recycled Plastics Market size, by source

Stringent regulations on post-consumer plastic recycling in China, which accounts for a significant share in the plastic recycling industry, is driving the plastic recyclers to shift to Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia. With the growing purchasing power and disposable income in the Southeast Asian countries, automotive, building and construction, and packaging industries are anticipated to drive the demand over the forecast period owing to the ability of plastic to replace the conventional metal and wooden parts in the vehicle. The development of residential, industrial, commercial, and public infrastructure is further aiding the market growth.

Growth of the construction industry in emerging markets, such as Brazil, China, India, and Mexico, is expected to drive the demand for post-consumer recycled plastics in the manufacturing of components, such as insulation, fixtures, and safety products, such as safety vest and belts and gloves over the forecast period.

Growth of the recycled plastic in the personal protective equipment market can be attributed to increased foreign investment in the construction markets of the above-mentioned countries as a result of easing FDI norms and requirements for redevelopment of public and industrial infrastructure.

Post-consumer Recycled Plastics Market Trends

The expansion of the global market is being fueled by an increase in the use of plastics in the creation of lightweight components used in various industries such as construction, automotive, food processing, and others. Furthermore, the industry's growth has been aided by an increase in demand for packaging products due to an increase in online purchases, and industrial, residential, commercial, automotive, and public infrastructure developments.

Increasing inclination in the market has been seen in terms of collecting, domestic recycling, plastic recovery, plastic waste export, and legislative laws implementation. These activities have contributed significantly to the increase in demand for plastic waste management methods, solutions, and services, which have improved the market. 

The market is predicted to be hindered by the high costs of recyclable plastic and the low involvement of the residential sector in the management of plastic trash. The market is expected to hamper due to a lack of essential structure for waste plastic collection and sorting, as well as a lack of experience in plastic trash recycling.

Waste transportation, collection, and disposal are not well-organized in poor countries. Waste is frequently dumped on the fringes of cities, resulting in overflowing landfills. While growth in North America and Europe has reached saturation and markets like India, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, Argentina, and the Middle East continue to rise. This factor is expected to provide opportunities to the industry.

Source Insights

The bottle source segment led the market and accounted for more than 70.0% share of the global revenue in 2019. Plastic bottles are the major sources of post-consumer recycled products. Plastic bottles are used in various applications across various industries in the packaging of water, oils, pharmaceuticals, and carbonated drinks. SKS Bottle & Packaging, Inc., CABKA Group, Maynard & Harris Plastics, and Placon are some of the key post-consumer recycled plastic bottle manufacturers.

The non-bottle rigid source includes post-consumer plastic foam and sheets, which is widely used in packaging. Expanded polystyrene is the most common type of post-consumer recycled plastic foam. Automobile and electrical and electronics manufacturers, such as Panasonic Corporation; SONY Electronics Inc., Ltd.; Hitachi, Ltd.; and Honda Motor Company Ltd., are moving toward adoption of post-consumer recycled plastics foam over virgin plastics.

Type Insights

The polyethylene type segment led the market and accounted for more than 20.0% share of the global revenue in 2019. This is attributed to its properties such as excellent resistance to chemicals, such as solvents, alcohols, alkalis, and dilute acids. Polyethylene is primarily used to produce films, tubes, laminates, and plastic components, which are used in various industries, such as packaging, electrical and electronics, and automotive.

Polypropylene is extensively used in manufacturing automotive components, packaging and labeling, medical devices, and diverse laboratory equipment owing to its excellent chemical and mechanical properties. It is resistant to several chemical solvents, acids, and bases and has excellent mechanical strength. It is used in the manufacturing of plastic hinges, piping systems, consumer goods, floor mats, carpets, and rugs among various other applications. Rising demand for the products will drive the demand for post-consumer recycled polypropylene over the forecast period.

Post-consumer Recycled Plastics Market share, by type

Polystyrene is the fastest-growing type segment in the market. Rising demand for polyester can be attributed to rising demand for enclosures, containers, and water tanks in various industries, such as packaging, electrical and electronics, and construction. It is resistant to photolysis and hence is non-degradable in nature. In addition, conventional polystyrene production contributes to global warming way higher than carbon dioxide emissions. These factors have been a basis for the formulation of various policies aimed at recycling post-consumer recycled polystyrene in takeaway containers (food packaging).

Demand for post-consumer recycled polystyrene in packaging applications is expected to increase significantly, particularly in developing nations of Africa and Asia Pacific. Polystyrene is widely used in the automotive sectors for bumper cores, roof liners, sun visors, car seating, and under bonnet sound deadening.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominated the market and accounted for over 45% share of global revenue in 2019. The construction industry in Asia Pacific is expected to witness considerable growth in the years to come owing to increasing demand for non-residential construction projects, such as hospitals, schools, and colleges, over the forecast period. This, in turn, will drive the demand for personal protective equipment products, such as safety vests, helmets, safety belts, and various other products, thus propelling industry growth.

Europe emerged as the second-largest regional market in 2019. The market is driven by the adoption of circular economy practices to reduce the carbon footprint associated with plastic production by increasing post-consumer plastic recycling in the region.

Post-consumer Recycled Plastics Market Trends by Region

Landfill bans have resulted in weak production growth in European countries owing to the growing post-consumer plastic recycling industry. As landfill taxes in some European countries are extremely high, the cost of dumping sometimes becomes more expensive as compared to plastic recycling. This scenario is encouraging the involvement of the European population in the collection and recycling of post-consumer plastics.

North America ranks third in terms of revenue. The market is driven by the growth of the major end-use industries, such as electrical and electronics, construction, and packaging. Rising demand for packed and processed food and the rising construction industry in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada are anticipated to augment market growth in the near future.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is fragmented with the presence of various small-sized and medium-sized players. Companies in the market compete on the basis of technology used for the recycling of post-consumer plastic waste. Major players are involved in the expansion of their plastic recycling facilities, infrastructural development, investments in research and development facilities, and seeking opportunities to vertically integrate across the value chain. These initiatives help them cater to the increasing global recycled plastics demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, enhance their operations planning, develop innovative products and technologies, bring down their recycling costs, and expand their customer base.

Recent Developments

  • In June 2022, SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry gas collaborated with UPM Raflatac to help them to launch the world's first packaging label material made from recovered ocean-bound plastic. This shows these plastics can be used in a sustainable form

  • In September 2021, Biffa, a leading waste management company in the U.K. acquired the recycling assets of Viridor Waste Management Ltd. This acquisition will broaden its customer base, and solidify its position in sustainable waste management in the U.K.

  • In December 2020, Lavergne collaborated with Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP), Canada. This collaboration provided Lavergne to support its partner brands to embrace the circular economy and start a process where plastics are recycled and given a new usable form.

Some of the prominent players in the post-consumer recycled plastics market include:

  • Republic Services, Inc.

  • WM Intellectual Property Holdings, L.L.C.

  • Veolia

  • Shell International B.V.

  • Waste Connections

  • CLEAN HARBORS, INC.

Post-consumer Recycled Plastics Market Report Scope

Report Attribute

Details

Market size value in 2020

USD 8.2 billion

Revenue forecast in 2027

USD 16.7 billion

Growth Rate

CAGR of 10.6% from 2020 to 2027

Market demand in 2020

17650.9 kilotons

Volume forecast in 2027

27530.5 kilotons

Growth Rate

CAGR of 6.6% from 2020 to 2027

Base year for estimation

2019

Historical data

2016 - 2018

Forecast period

2020 - 2027

Quantitative units

Volume in kilotons, revenue in USD million and CAGR from 2020 to 2027

Report coverage        

Volume forecast, revenue forecast, competitive landscape, growth factors and trends

Segments covered

Source, type, region

Regional scope

North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Central & South America; Middle East & Africa

Country Scope

U.S.; Canada; Mexico; Germany; U.K.; France; Italy; China; India; Japan; Malaysia; Brazil; Saudi Arabia

Key companies profiled

REMONDIS SE & Co. KG; Biffa; Stericycle; Republic Services, Inc.; WM Intellectual Property Holdings, L.L.C.; Veolia; Shell International B.V.; Waste Connections; CLEAN HARBORS, INC.; Covetsro AG

Customization scope

Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope.

Pricing and purchase options

Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options


Global Post-consumer Recycled Plastics Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue and volume 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 2016 to 2027. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global post-consumer recycled plastics market report on the basis of source, type, and region:

Global Post-consumer Recycled Plastics Market Segmentation

  • Source Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

    • Bottles

    • Non-bottle Rigid

    • Others

  • Type Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

    • Polypropylene (PP)

    • Polystyrene (PS)

    • Polyethylene (PE)

    • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

    • Polyurethane (PUR)

    • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

    • Others

  • Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

    • North America

      • The U.S.

      • Canada

      • Mexico

    • Europe

      • Germany

      • The U.K.

      • France

      • Italy

    • Asia Pacific

      • China

      • India

      • Japan

      • Malaysia

    • Central & South America

      • Brazil

    • Middle East & Africa

      • Saudi Arabia

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