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Competitive Benchmarking: Frost Radar™ for Packaging Plastics, 2024

How are top companies in the packaging plastics industry integrating sustainability to maximize their success?

The perception of plastics is undergoing a positive shift, as consumers increasingly recognize their potential as a sustainable material, especially given their high recyclability. This evolving customer preference has ignited a renewed era of disruptive technologies and business model transformation within the packaging plastics industry.

Today, major polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) producers are making significant investments to expand production capacity and meet rising demand. Leading manufacturers are also prioritizing sustainability by investing in chemical and organic recycling technologies and implementing eco-friendly processes to support food-grade packaging requirements. Similarly, strategic alliances between producers and feedstock suppliers are catalyzing greener alternatives like bioplastics.

Despite the emerging growth opportunities, key industry leaders are finding it challenging to respond effectively to increasing competitive intensity in packaging plastics. However, they can leverage perspectives from this Frost Radar™ to build an optimal strategy that will set them up for sustained growth.

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Growth Scenario Revealed: Packaging Plastics
Polyethylene (PE) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Polypropylene (PP)
  • PE, both in high-density (HDPE) and low-density (LDPE) forms, is used for flexible films and rigid containers.

- Global revenue: $19.12 billion
- Revenue potential: $27.68 billion(by 2030)
- Annual growth rate (CAGR): 5.4%.

  • Sustainability Advantage:
    HDPE has well-established recycling infrastructure in many regions. For instance, the recycling rate for HDPE bottles in the US is a decent 29%.
  • PET offers superior clarity and protection against gas and moisture — ideal for beverage and food packaging.

- Global revenue: $31.82 billion
- Revenue potential: $49.94 billion(by 2030)
- Annual growth rate (CAGR): 6.7%.

  • Sustainability Advantage:
    Recycled PET (rPET) is the only recycled polymer approved for food-contact applications, setting the benchmark for safety and hygiene.
  • Known for its thermal resistance, PP is key for containers requiring structural integrity at high temperatures.

- Global revenue: $15.12 billion
- Revenue potential: $23.56 billion (by 2030)
- Annual growth rate (CAGR): 6.4%.

  • Sustainability Advantage:
    PP is replacing polystyrene — a major contributor to plastic pollution — for manufacturing sustainable tethered caps, used in eco-friendly packaging.

Which strategic imperatives are reshaping the packaging plastics industry?

Innovative Business Models    

To reduce waste and support sustainable packaging practices, companies are embracing business models focused on refillable and reusable solutions. From deposit return schemes to at-home refill stations, these innovations are driving a shift toward zero-waste packaging systems.

Geopolitical Chaos

Global polymer supply is being influenced by geopolitical events such as the Russo-Ukraine conflict and economic shifts in Europe. Companies are setting up local manufacturing and mapping regulatory shifts as political climates evolve due to many countries undergoing national elections in 2024.

Industry Convergence

Partnerships between plastics producers and food packaging companies are building synergy across the value chain, particularly in areas like bioplastics and alternative feedstocks, which are gaining momentum in the sustainability drive.

Is your company poised to leverage these strategic imperatives for success in the packaging plastics domain?

Frost Radar™ is an advanced analytical tool designed for a thorough ‘Growth Audit’ across industries, assessing key companies based on crucial innovation and growth criteria. Our aim is to help clients drive innovation and accelerate growth. Leverage this unique benchmarking tool to significantly enhance your future growth potential.

Frost & Sullivan has identified the top 14 companies excelling in growth and innovation in the packaging plastics industries, across the PE, PP, and PET segments.

Companies on the Frost Radar™: Borealis AG, Braskem S.A., Chevron Phillips Chemical, ExxonMobil Corporation, Formosa Plastics Corporation, INEOS Group Limited, LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Reliance Industries Limited, SABIC, SCG Chemicals, The Dow Chemical Company, TotalEnergies SE, Versalis.

Download the Frost Radar for a comprehensive analysis of these companies' profiles, including details on their competitive standing, best practices, innovative approaches, and growth strategies.

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