South Korea's packaging exports reached USD 4.2 billion against USD 3.8 billion in imports. The domestic market stands at KRW 28.5 trillion. Paper and plastic together account for over 70 percent of material consumption.
Key Takeaways
- South Korea exported packaging materials worth USD 4.2 billion in 2022
- In 2022, the South Korean packaging market was valued at approximately KRW 28.5 trillion (USD 22.1 billion)
- Paper packaging holds 35% of total packaging material usage in Korea 2022
- South Korea produced 1.28 million tons of plastic packaging in 2022
- South Korea's packaging waste recycling rate reached 82% in 2022
Korea’s packaging industry is expanding, driven by rising demand and steady growth across key sectors.
Related reading
01 · Category
Export and Import28 stats
01
South Korea exported packaging materials worth USD 4.2 billion in 2022
02
Packaging imports to Korea totaled USD 3.8 billion in 2023
03
Corrugated packaging exports from Korea: USD 1.1 billion in 2022
04
Plastic packaging exports grew 8.5% to USD 2.3 billion in 2023
05
Top export destination for Korean packaging: USA with USD 850 million in 2022
06
Imports of paper packaging materials: KRW 2.1 trillion in 2022
07
Flexible packaging exports to China USD 650 million in 2023
08
Trade surplus in packaging industry USD 450 million in 2022 Korea
09
PET preform exports 120,000 tons valued USD 280 million in 2022
10
Glass packaging imports from Japan USD 150 million in 2023
11
Metal packaging exports to Vietnam USD 200 million in 2022
12
Packaging machinery exports USD 1.2 billion in 2023
13
Imports of aluminum foil for packaging 45,000 tons in 2022
14
Top import source for plastics packaging: China 55% share USD 1.5 billion 2023
15
Export growth rate of paper packaging 7.2% YoY in 2023
16
Total packaging trade volume KRW 10.5 trillion in 2022
17
Rigid plastic exports to EU USD 180 million in 2023
18
Imports of flexible films USD 900 million in 2022 Korea
19
Packaging export destinations: Asia 68%, Americas 15% in 2023
20
Steel packaging imports declined 3% to USD 120 million in 2023
21
E-commerce packaging exports surged 22% to USD 300 million in 2022
22
Trade balance for glass packaging positive USD 50 million 2023
23
Packaging materials import tariff average 4.2% in Korea 2022
24
Exports to ASEAN countries USD 750 million packaging in 2023
25
Plastic recycling materials imports 80,000 tons USD 150 million 2022
26
Year-on-year export increase 9.1% for all packaging categories 2023
27
Imports from USA packaging USD 250 million in 2022
28
South Korea plastic packaging export volume 1.05 million tons in 2023
Interpretation
Export and Import Interpretation
Korea's packaging industry has deftly wrapped up a tidy trade surplus, proving that while they import billions in materials, they expertly box up and export even more value, particularly in plastic and to America, making them global masters of both containment and commerce.
02 · Category
Market Size and Growth30 stats
01
In 2022, the South Korean packaging market was valued at approximately KRW 28.5 trillion (USD 22.1 billion)
02
The packaging industry in South Korea is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2028, reaching USD 27.8 billion by 2028
03
Paper and cardboard packaging accounted for 42% of the South Korean packaging market revenue in 2023
04
Plastic packaging segment in South Korea generated USD 8.2 billion in revenue in 2023
05
South Korea's flexible packaging market size reached KRW 5.1 trillion in 2022
06
Rigid plastic packaging in Korea saw a market value of USD 3.4 billion in 2021, growing 5% YoY
07
The overall packaging market in South Korea expanded by 3.8% in 2022 compared to 2021
08
Food packaging sub-sector contributed 55% to total packaging market revenue in Korea in 2023
09
Beverage packaging market in South Korea valued at KRW 4.2 trillion in 2022
10
Pharmaceutical packaging market in Korea grew to USD 1.8 billion in 2023, CAGR 6.1%
11
E-commerce packaging demand drove 12% growth in flexible packaging in Korea in 2022
12
South Korea's packaging industry GDP contribution was 1.2% in 2022
13
Corrugated box market in Korea reached 2.5 million tons production value equivalent to KRW 6 trillion in 2022
14
Metal packaging segment valued at USD 2.1 billion in South Korea 2023
15
Glass packaging market in Korea was KRW 1.8 trillion in 2022
16
Sustainable packaging market projected to grow at 7.5% CAGR to 2030 in Korea
17
Total packaging consumption per capita in South Korea was 65 kg in 2022
18
Packaging R&D investment by Korean firms reached KRW 1.2 trillion in 2023
19
Smart packaging market in Korea valued at USD 450 million in 2023
20
Industrial packaging segment grew 4.5% to KRW 3.7 trillion in 2022
21
Cosmetics packaging market in South Korea hit USD 1.5 billion in 2023
22
South Korea packaging market share of Asia-Pacific was 5.2% in 2022
23
Post-COVID recovery boosted packaging sales by 6.3% in Korea 2022
24
Online retail packaging demand increased 18% YoY in Korea 2023
25
Total market volume for packaging in Korea was 12.5 million tons in 2022
26
Forecasted packaging market revenue USD 25.6 billion by 2027 in South Korea
27
Household packaging consumption rose 3.2% to KRW 9.8 trillion in 2022
28
Packaging for electronics sector valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2023
29
Growth rate of aseptic packaging market 5.8% CAGR to 2028 in Korea
30
Total industry revenue KRW 32.1 trillion projected for 2025
Interpretation
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
South Korea's packaging market, a robust KRW 28.5 trillion behemoth where nearly half the wrapping is still endearingly old-school paper, is being vigorously reshaped by an insatiable appetite for online shopping, a relentless demand for food and beverage containers, and a conscientious, if plastic-heavy, march toward sustainability.
03 · Category
Material and Type Breakdown27 stats
01
Paper packaging holds 35% of total packaging material usage in Korea 2022
02
Plastics constitute 38% of packaging materials consumed in South Korea 2023
03
Glass usage in packaging 8% of total volume 12 million tons in 2022
04
Metal materials account for 12% in Korean packaging industry 2023
05
PET plastic share in beverage packaging 72% in Korea 2022
06
Corrugated board usage 4.8 million tons for shipping packaging 2023
07
PP materials used 450,000 tons in flexible packaging 2022
08
Aluminum in food cans 180,000 tons consumption Korea 2023
09
LDPE film usage 320,000 tons for retail packaging 2022
10
Recycled PET content in bottles averaged 25% in Korea 2023
11
Paper-based flexible packaging share 28% in total flexibles 2022
12
Steel for packaging 280,000 tons used annually 2023
13
BOPET film consumption 85,000 tons for labels and laminates 2022
14
Tin-free steel usage 90,000 tons in cans Korea 2023
15
Biodegradable plastics usage 15,000 tons in packaging 2022
16
Carton board for cosmetics 120,000 tons consumption 2023
17
HDPE for containers 380,000 tons used in Korea 2022
18
Multi-layer films PE/PA usage 200,000 tons 2023
19
Glass for pharmaceuticals 45,000 tons in Korea 2022
20
Woven polypropylene sacks 220,000 tons for industrial 2023
21
Foil-laminated paper 110,000 tons in food packaging 2022
22
PS foam trays usage declined to 50,000 tons 2023 due to regulations
23
PVC for blister packs 25,000 tons consumption Korea 2022
24
Kraft paper for bags 1.2 million tons 2023
25
EVOH barrier resins 12,000 tons used in high-barrier packs 2022
26
65% of food packaging in Korea uses plastic materials in 2023
27
Compostable materials share increased to 3.5% in packaging 2022
Interpretation
Material and Type Breakdown Interpretation
Korea's packaging scene is a high-stakes tug-of-war where plastics cling to a dominant but embattled lead, while paper mounts a noble comeback and new sustainable players elbow their way into the ring, all under the watchful eye of increasingly strict regulations.
More related reading
04 · Category
Production and Capacity28 stats
01
South Korea produced 1.28 million tons of plastic packaging in 2022
02
Corrugated cardboard production capacity in Korea reached 8.5 million tons annually in 2023
03
Annual production of PET bottles in South Korea was 650,000 tons in 2022
04
Glass container production totaled 1.2 million tons in Korea 2022
05
Flexible packaging film production volume 1.1 million tons in 2023
06
Metal can production in South Korea hit 2.3 billion units in 2022
07
Paper packaging production grew 4.1% to 5.2 million tons in 2022
08
Injection molded plastic packaging output 850,000 tons in Korea 2023
09
Number of packaging manufacturers in South Korea: 4,500 in 2023
10
Capacity utilization rate in Korean packaging plants averaged 78% in 2022
11
Aluminum foil production for packaging 120,000 tons annually in Korea
12
Blow-molded container production 420,000 tons in 2022 South Korea
13
Total plastic resin for packaging production 3.1 million tons in 2023
14
Carton board production capacity 1.8 million tons per year in Korea
15
Steel packaging production volume 450,000 tons in 2022
16
Number of packaging production facilities: 2,100 large-scale plants in 2023
17
PP woven sack production 250,000 tons in South Korea 2022
18
LDPE film production for packaging 380,000 tons annually
19
Aseptic carton production 180 million packs in 2023 Korea
20
Total packaging machinery production value KRW 1.5 trillion in 2022
21
BOPET film output 95,000 tons for packaging in 2023
22
Number of employees in packaging production: 180,000 in 2022
23
Extrusion coating production 150,000 tons in Korea 2022
24
Tinplate production for cans 320,000 tons annually
25
Recycled paper packaging production 2.1 million tons in 2023
26
Thermoforming packaging trays output 200,000 tons in 2022
27
Total production value of flexible packaging KRW 7.2 trillion in 2023
28
Packaging production index rose 5.2% in 2023 vs 2022
Interpretation
Production and Capacity Interpretation
South Korea's packaging sector is a masterclass in coordinated plenty, wrapping everything from tomorrow's lunch to next year's electronics in a mountain of materials so vast that you'd think the entire nation was prepping for a very stylish, very long-lasting apocalypse.
05 · Category
Sustainability and Innovation30 stats
01
South Korea's packaging waste recycling rate reached 82% in 2022
02
Plastic packaging recycling rate 58% in Korea 2023, up from 52% in 2021
03
Paper packaging recyclability 95% with 75% actual recycled content 2022
04
Government target: 70% plastic packaging recycling by 2030 in Korea
05
Biodegradable packaging adoption rate 4.2% in food sector 2023
06
CO2 emissions from packaging production reduced 15% since 2018 in Korea
07
1,200 companies certified for eco-friendly packaging in 2023 Korea
08
Single-use plastic ban affected 25% of packaging types since 2021
09
R&D spending on sustainable packaging KRW 800 billion in 2022
10
Active packaging technologies implemented in 15% of meat products 2023
11
Water usage in packaging production down 20% to 1.2 billion m3 in 2022
12
Nano-technology in barrier films used by 30 firms in Korea 2023
13
EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) covers 90% of packaging waste 2022
14
Intelligent packaging sensors market growth 12% CAGR to 2028 Korea
15
40% reduction in virgin plastic use targeted by 2030 major firms
16
Compostable pouch usage up 35% in cosmetics 2023
17
Energy-efficient packaging lines adopted by 65% of large plants 2022
18
Blockchain traceability in supply chain for 10% sustainable packs 2023
19
Mycelium-based packaging trials by 5 Korean startups in 2023
20
Plastic tax introduced on non-recyclable packs KRW 10/kg 2022
21
75% of beverage companies using rPET >30% content 2023
22
Zero-waste packaging initiatives by 200 firms in Korea 2022
23
AI-optimized material usage reduced waste 18% in pilots 2023
24
Marine plastic from packaging reduced 22% via cleanup 2022
25
Edible films R&D funded KRW 50 billion government 2023
26
55% consumer preference for eco-packaging in surveys 2023 Korea
27
Carbon-neutral packaging certified 150 products 2022
28
Microplastic reduction in washes from packs 12% lower 2023
29
Circular economy model adopted by packaging association 2023
30
Plant-based inks usage 60% in labels 2022 Korea
Interpretation
Sustainability and Innovation Interpretation
Korea’s packaging sector is a high-wire act of impressive recycling acrobatics, urgent plastic targets, and clever innovations—yet still wrestles with the stubborn cling wrap of reality, where biodegradable options barely get a seat at the table and virgin plastic’s final bow is still a distant encore.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Timothy Grant. (2026, February 13). Korea Packaging Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korea-packaging-industry-statistics
MLA
Timothy Grant. "Korea Packaging Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/korea-packaging-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Timothy Grant. 2026. "Korea Packaging Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/korea-packaging-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
90 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level