Abhinav Kumar Singh

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Packaging Material: Global Trends, India Outlook & Why IntraPac India 2025 Matters


If you make, move, or market products, packaging material is now a boardroom topic—not just an operational cost. Sustainability targets, new food-safety rules, e-commerce growth, and smart supply chains are reshaping what we pack with: paper & paperboard, rigid and flexible plastics, glass, metal, and new bio-based options. This blog brings you the latest, data-backed view of the packaging material market worldwide and in India—plus a clear reason to be at IntraPac India 2025, India’s leading Packaging and Processing Expo.


Sep 17, 2025

The global packaging materials market: steady, greener, smarter

● The global packaging materials market was about USD 599.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 801.1 billion by 2030 (CAGR ~4.4%). Paper & paperboard, plastics, glass and metals remain the core materials, with rapid innovation in recyclability and lightweighting. Grand View Research

● If you consider total packaging (materials, formats, and systems), the broader market was approximately USD 1.08 trillion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 1.45 trillion by 2032, indicating ongoing, secular growth across end-use sectors. Fortune Business Insights

● Flexible packaging continues to outgrow many material segments, moving from ~USD 281.8 billion in 2024 towards ~USD 373.3 billion by 2030 (CAGR ~4.8%), driven by convenience, shelf life, and footprint advantages. Grand View Research

● Paper & paperboard are benefiting from plastic substitution and e-commerce. Global paper packaging was ~USD 397.5 billion in 2024 and could reach ~USD 527.1 billion by 2030. Grand View Research

What this means for corporates: across materials, the direction is the same—less weight, more circularity, better printing, and smarter tracking (QR/NFC/RFID). Expect suppliers to talk about recyclability, PCR (post-consumer recycled) content, and digital traceability by default.

India’s packaging materials momentum

India isn’t just catching up—it’s setting the pace in many categories:

● India's packaging market size is ~USD 101.1 billion in 2025 and could reach ~USD 169.7 billion by 2030 (CAGR ~10.7%), supported by rising consumption, formal retail, pharma, and food processing. Mordor Intelligence

● Specifically for packaging materials in India, estimates indicate USD 44.4 billion in 2024, with a path to USD 66.6 billion by 2030. Rigid plastics lead by revenue today, while paper & paperboard is the fastest-growing segment through 2030. Grand View Research

● In glass, India reached ~USD 6.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow steadily on the back of beverages, pharma, and premiumization. IMARC Group

Takeaway: India’s demand profile is diversifying—hygienic food packaging, pharma compliance, premium personal care, and e-commerce all push materials in different directions. Procurement leaders increasingly dual-track: one stream for cost and speed, another for ESG and compliance. 

Regulation & compliance: the new performance specs 
 
Two regulatory pillars are shaping material choices in India: 
 
1. Plastic Waste Management & EPR 
 
India’s Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 cement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): PIBOs must register, report, and meet yearly targets 
for plastic packaging waste collection, processing, and use of recycled content—via the centralised CPCB EPR portal. This is moving the market towards design for 
recyclability and PCR content. Department of Environment DelhiEPR Plastic 
 
2. Food packaging safety—FSSAI 
 
The Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations require only safe, compliant materials for food contact and reference relevant Indian/International standards where applicable. Recent updates and ongoing work around front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) are also pushing clarity and consumer trust. FSSAIThe Economic TimesThe Times of India 
 
What to do now: 
 
● Audit SKUs for EPR compliance and PCR feasibility. 
● Align spec sheets to FSSAI packaging regulations and relevant BIS/ISO standards. 
● Build traceability: material sources, recycled content, and end-of-life pathways. 
● Engage suppliers on mono-material structures and labelling that aids collection. 
 
Material-by-Material Snapshot (what’s trending) 
 
Paper & Paperboard 
● Benefiting from plastic substitution, e-commerce shippers, and retail-ready packs. 
● Focus areas: barrier coatings (moisture/grease), high-speed digital print, and 
recyclable laminations. 
● Market trajectory: ~USD 397.5B (2024) → ~USD 527.1B (2030) globally. Grand View Research
 
Flexible Packaging 
● The workhorse for snacks, staples, and personal care. 
● Focus: material reduction, recyclable mono-PE/PP, and PCR incorporation. 
● Market trajectory: ~USD 281.8B (2024) → ~USD 373.3B (2030) globally. Grand View Research 
 
Rigid Plastics 
● Dominant in India by revenue, moving toward PCR, returnable crates, and design for recycling to satisfy EPR. Grand View Research 
Glass Packaging 
● Premium, inert, and infinitely recyclable; buoyed by beverages and pharma. 
● India: ~USD 6.5B (2024) with a steady growth outlook. IMARC Group 
Metals (Aluminium/Steel) 
● Strong in beverages, aerosols, and high-barrier cans; push on light-gauge and recycled content continues (supporting circularity narratives). 
 
Bio-Based & Biodegradable 
● Fast innovation but mixed signals: performance varies, industrial composting is often needed, and certification is critical. Still, momentum builds for specific use cases. 
Financial Times 
● Forecasts diverge depending on definitions, but consensus is continued growth as regulations tighten and costs improve. Towards PackagingFuture Market Insights 
What corporate packaging leaders are prioritising 
(2025–2030) 
● Total cost of sustainability (TCoS): Optimising not only material price but also EPR fees, logistics, returns, wastage, and reputational risks. 
● Spec simplification: Moving to fewer, more recyclable structures and inks. 
● Digital identity: QR/NFC/RFID to power recall readiness, anti-counterfeit, and D2C engagement. 
● Supplier diversification: India + Near-Asia print/conversion capacity for resilience. 
● Automation & quality: Case-erectors, form-fill-seal, vision systems, and inline QA to protect margins. 
 
Where to benchmark & buy smarter: IntraPac India 2025
 
If you’ve read this far, you need to be in the aisles. Procurement, R&D, operations, and brand leaders will get more done in four days at IntraPac India 2025 than in months of email threads. 
 
Why attend 
 
● True 360° view of packaging materials
Compare paper & paperboard, rigid plastics, flexible laminates, glass, metals, and sustainable alternatives side-by-side—plus adhesives, inks, coatings, and auxiliaries—at India’s best packaging expo and best processing expo. 
● Live trials & machine demos 
See downstream impact on seal strength, barrier, machinability, print fidelity—live. Reduce the risk of plant surprises later. 
● Regulatory + sustainability alignment 
Meet suppliers ready for FSSAI-compliant food contact, EPR reporting, and PCR roadmaps. Build a 2026-ready material portfolio today. 
● Packaging + Processing, together 
It’s a true Packaging and Processing Expo—from pouching/FFS/filling to case packing, coding, intralogistics, and quality systems. Source materials and the machines that run them—same hall, same day. 
● Serious business audience
Expect 250+ exhibitors, 20,000+ trade visitors, high-quality buyer programs, and a high-level conference synchronised with the show—ideal for learning and networking. 
 
Quick facts: IntraPac India 2025 (bookmark this) 
● Dates: 10–13 December 2025 
● Venue: India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR 
● Show scale: ~17,400 sq. m exhibition area 
● Who exhibits: Packaging materials, converters, machinery makers, printing & finishing, labels/coding, automation, warehousing, intralogistics, sustainability solutions 
● Who visits: Brand owners, manufacturers, procurement, packaging development, QA/RA, plant heads, logistics, start-ups, MSMEs 
● Also happening: Live machine demos and a high-level conference aligned with the exhibition 
● MSME-friendly: Show approved/endorsed for MSME participation benefits; check your eligibility via official channels 
 
Disclaimer: 
This blog is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The data and insights presented are based on third-party sources, which have been duly referenced. IntraPac India bears no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided.