From soaring e-commerce demands fueling a £13.8 billion market to the quiet revolution of sustainable packaging, the UK's packaging sector is a dynamic and complex engine driving countless industries forward.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the total UK packaging market was valued at £13.8 billion, marking a 4.2% year-on-year growth driven by e-commerce demand
- The UK rigid plastic packaging segment reached £3.5 billion in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 3.8% through 2027
- Flexible packaging in the UK grew to £4.1 billion in 2023, fueled by food and beverage sectors at 5.1% growth
- In 2022, UK produced 2.1 million tonnes of plastic packaging, 12% increase from 2019
- UK flexible film production reached 1.2 million tonnes in 2023, food sector 65%
- Rigid plastic packaging output in UK was 850,000 tonnes in 2022, bottles 40%
- In 2022, plastics accounted for 40% of UK packaging materials by weight
- Paper and board made up 38% of UK packaging material usage in 2023, 5.2 million tonnes
- Glass represented 12% of UK packaging materials in 2022, mainly beverages
- UK recycled 1.6 million tonnes of packaging plastics in 2022, rate 44%
- Paper packaging recycling rate in UK reached 82% in 2023, 4.2 million tonnes
- Glass packaging recycling UK 77% in 2022, 2.5 million tonnes collected
- UK packaging industry employed 85,000 direct workers in 2023
- Packaging manufacturing contributed £12.5 billion GVA to UK economy in 2022
- 4,200 companies operate in UK packaging sector in 2023, SMEs 92%
The UK packaging industry is growing steadily, driven by e-commerce and sustainable innovations.
Employment and Economics
1UK packaging industry employed 85,000 direct workers in 2023
Verified2Packaging manufacturing contributed £12.5 billion GVA to UK economy in 2022
Verified34,200 companies operate in UK packaging sector in 2023, SMEs 92%
Verified4Average salary in UK packaging industry £32,500 in 2022, skilled trades £38k
Directional5Exports of UK packaging products £3.2 billion in 2023, EU 55%
Single source6Imports of packaging to UK £4.1 billion in 2022, plastics from Asia 40%
Verified7R&D spend in UK packaging £450 million in 2023, sustainability 60%
Verified8Training apprenticeships in packaging UK 2,500 starts in 2022
Verified9UK packaging supply chain supports 200,000 indirect jobs in 2023
Directional10Investment in UK packaging machinery £850 million in 2022, automation 70%
Single source11Tax contributions from packaging industry £2.8 billion in 2023, VAT/Corporation tax
Verified12Regional employment: South East UK packaging 22,000 jobs 2022
Verified13Midlands packaging firms employ 18,500 in 2023, manufacturing hub
Verified14Scotland packaging industry 7,200 jobs 2022, paper dominant
Directional15Productivity in UK packaging £185,000 GVA per employee in 2023
Single source16Gender diversity: 32% women in UK packaging workforce 2022
Verified17Turnover per employee UK packaging £210,000 in 2023
Verified18Labour turnover rate in packaging 12.5% in 2022, skills shortage 20%
Verified19UK packaging patents filed 1,200 in 2023, sustainable tech 45%
Directional20Venture capital in UK packaging startups £150 million 2022
Single source21Energy costs for UK packaging production rose 28% to £1.2 billion in 2023
VerifiedEmployment and Economics Interpretation
While the UK's packaging industry is a surprisingly robust £12.5 billion backbone of the economy, skillfully employing 85,000 people, it finds itself in a classic British bind: innovating brilliantly for a sustainable future with one hand while desperately wrestling rising energy costs and a skills shortage with the other.
Market Size and Growth
1In 2023, the total UK packaging market was valued at £13.8 billion, marking a 4.2% year-on-year growth driven by e-commerce demand
Verified2The UK rigid plastic packaging segment reached £3.5 billion in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 3.8% through 2027
Verified3Flexible packaging in the UK grew to £4.1 billion in 2023, fueled by food and beverage sectors at 5.1% growth
Verified4UK paper and board packaging market stood at £5.2 billion in 2022, with 2.9% annual growth expected to 2028
Directional5The UK glass packaging industry was valued at £1.9 billion in 2023, declining slightly by 1.2% due to lightweighting trends
Single source6Metal packaging in the UK hit £2.3 billion in 2022, with beverage cans driving 4.5% growth
Verified7Overall UK packaging turnover increased by 6.3% to £15.4 billion in 2023 from e-commerce surge
Verified8UK sustainable packaging market projected to grow from £2.1 billion in 2022 to £3.7 billion by 2030 at 7.2% CAGR
Verified9Food packaging sub-sector in UK valued at £7.8 billion in 2023, 45% of total market
Directional10UK pharmaceutical packaging market reached £1.2 billion in 2022, growing 5.4% YoY
Single source11Beverage packaging in UK was £3.4 billion in 2023, with PET bottles at 28% share
Verified12UK e-commerce packaging demand boosted market by 8.7% to £1.6 billion in 2022
Verified13Corrugated packaging market in UK valued at £2.8 billion in 2023, 4.1% growth
Verified14UK luxury packaging sector hit £850 million in 2022, premium growth at 6.2%
Directional15Protective packaging market in UK reached £1.1 billion in 2023, up 5.9% from logistics boom
Single source16UK personal care packaging valued at £900 million in 2022, 3.7% CAGR forecast
Verified17Industrial packaging in UK at £2.5 billion in 2023, chemicals driving 4.8% growth
Verified18UK fresh produce packaging market £650 million in 2022, sustainable shift at 7.1% growth
Verified19Retail-ready packaging in UK supermarkets valued at £1.4 billion in 2023
Directional20UK contract packaging market grew to £1.8 billion in 2022, 5.3% YoY
Single sourceMarket Size and Growth Interpretation
The UK packaging industry, now a £15.4 billion behemoth, is being stretched, squeezed, and sustainably reshaped by our insatiable need for online deliveries, convenient food, and beverages, proving that what wraps the product is now just as big of business as what's inside.
Material Usage
1In 2022, plastics accounted for 40% of UK packaging materials by weight
Verified2Paper and board made up 38% of UK packaging material usage in 2023, 5.2 million tonnes
Verified3Glass represented 12% of UK packaging materials in 2022, mainly beverages
Verified4Metals comprised 8% of UK packaging by weight in 2023, 1.1 million tonnes
Directional5UK plastic packaging usage split: flexible 62%, rigid 38% in 2022
Single source6PE resin used 1.8 million tonnes in UK packaging 2023, film/sheets 70%
Verified7PP in UK packaging 850,000 tonnes in 2022, tubs/trays leading
Verified8PET usage in UK packaging 550,000 tonnes 2023, bottles 82%
Verified9PVC in UK packaging minimal at 50,000 tonnes in 2022, blisters 60%
Directional10Corrugated board usage 2.7 million tonnes in UK 2023, transit packs 75%
Single source11Cartonboard for UK packaging 1.4 million tonnes 2022, liquids 45%
Verified12UK kraft paper usage in packaging 900,000 tonnes 2023, sacks 50%
Verified13Float glass usage for bottles 2.9 million tonnes UK 2022
Verified14Steel in UK packaging 650,000 tonnes 2023, food cans 55%
Directional15Aluminium in packaging UK 450,000 tonnes 2022, beverage cans 80%
Single source16Bio-based plastics usage in UK packaging 120,000 tonnes 2023, growing 15%
Verified17Barrier coatings usage on paper UK 200,000 tonnes 2022, PE dispersion 70%
Verified18Foil laminates in UK flexible packaging 140,000 tonnes 2023
Verified19Recycled content in UK plastic packaging averaged 28% in 2022
Directional20Virgin plastic in food contact packaging UK 1.2 million tonnes 2023
Single sourceMaterial Usage Interpretation
Despite plastics holding a slight weight advantage, the UK packaging landscape reveals a sobering truth: we’re a nation wrapped in flexible plastic film, hydrating from PET bottles, eating from PP trays, and shipping in corrugated boxes—all while recycled content crawls and virgin plastic for food contact stubbornly remains king, proving our circular economy is still more of a hopeful triangle.
Production Statistics
1In 2022, UK produced 2.1 million tonnes of plastic packaging, 12% increase from 2019
Verified2UK flexible film production reached 1.2 million tonnes in 2023, food sector 65%
Verified3Rigid plastic packaging output in UK was 850,000 tonnes in 2022, bottles 40%
Verified4UK paper packaging production totalled 4.3 million tonnes in 2023, cartons leading
Directional5Glass container production in UK hit 3.8 million tonnes in 2022, 55% for beverages
Single source6Metal can production in UK was 5.2 billion units in 2023, aluminium 70%
Verified7Corrugated board production in UK reached 2.9 million tonnes in 2022, export 25%
Verified8UK PET bottle production totalled 450,000 tonnes in 2023, recycled content 30%
Verified9Foil and laminate production for packaging in UK 180,000 tonnes in 2022
Directional10UK wooden packaging production like crates was 120,000 tonnes in 2023
Single source11Injection moulded packaging output in UK 600,000 tonnes plastics in 2022
Verified12Blow moulded bottles production UK 320,000 tonnes in 2023, HDPE dominant
Verified13Thermoformed trays production in UK 250,000 tonnes in 2022, food use 80%
Verified14UK sack and bag production for packaging 400,000 tonnes paper/plastic in 2023
Directional15Aerosol can production UK 450 million units in 2022, personal care 35%
Single source16UK label production for packaging 150,000 tonnes in 2023, self-adhesive 60%
Verified17Closures and caps production in UK 28 billion units in 2022, plastic 75%
Verified18UK barrier film production 95,000 tonnes in 2023, EVOH layers key
Verified19Multi-layer pouch production UK 80,000 tonnes in 2022, stand-up 45%
Directional20UK plastic packaging production consumed 3.7 million tonnes of resin in 2023
Single source21In 2022, UK consumed 4.5 million tonnes of packaging overall, per capita 67kg
Verified22Food and drink packaging consumption in UK 2.8 million tonnes in 2023
Verified23UK households consumed 1.1 million tonnes plastic packaging in 2022
Verified24Plastic packaging consumption by UK retail 1.9 million tonnes in 2023
Directional25Paper-based packaging consumption UK 5.1 million tonnes in 2022
Single source26Glass packaging consumption in UK 3.2 million tonnes in 2023, food jars 40%
Verified27Metal packaging consumption UK 1.4 million tonnes in 2022, cans 85%
Verified28UK e-commerce packaging consumption rose to 550,000 tonnes in 2023
Verified29Carrier bag consumption in UK dropped to 1.2 billion units in 2022 post-levy
Directional30PET packaging consumption UK 620,000 tonnes in 2023, bottles 90%
Single sourceProduction Statistics Interpretation
We've wrapped an entire mountain range in plastic, boarded up a forest, and bottled a sea of glass, all to package a nation's appetite for consumption—and the receipt for this environmental banquet is now due.
Sustainability and Recycling
1UK recycled 1.6 million tonnes of packaging plastics in 2022, rate 44%
Verified2Paper packaging recycling rate in UK reached 82% in 2023, 4.2 million tonnes
Verified3Glass packaging recycling UK 77% in 2022, 2.5 million tonnes collected
Verified4Metal packaging recycling rate UK 72% in 2023, steel 81%, aluminium 68%
Directional5UK plastic packaging waste generated 2.4 million tonnes household in 2022
Single source6Deposited packaging waste in UK totalled 9.8 million tonnes in 2023
Verified7UK compostable packaging usage 85,000 tonnes in 2022, food waste bags 40%
Verified8Plastic Packaging Tax introduced in UK April 2022, £217/tonne on non-recycled
Verified9UK recycled PET packaging bottles rate 59% in 2023
Directional10Food packaging waste recycled UK 1.1 million tonnes in 2022, 38% rate
Single source11UK kerbside recycling participation for packaging 68% households in 2023
Verified12Reusable packaging trials in UK retail saved 120,000 tonnes plastic in 2022
Verified13UK packaging waste exports dropped 15% to 300,000 tonnes in 2023 post-Brexit
Verified14Biodegradable packaging certifications in UK rose 25% to 450 products in 2022
Directional15Energy recovery from non-recyclable packaging UK 1.2 million tonnes in 2023
Single source16UK deposit return scheme pilots recycled 92% PET in trials 2022
Verified17Recycled paper content in UK packaging averaged 75% in 2023
Verified18UK aluminium can recycling hit 76% in 2022, 14 billion units
Verified19Steel food can recycling UK 80.5% in 2023
Directional20Microplastic reduction targets in UK packaging legislation aim 30% cut by 2030
Single sourceSustainability and Recycling Interpretation
The UK packaging industry presents a tale of two realities: we’re commendably efficient at recycling paper, glass, and metals, yet we remain perpetually entangled in a complex, tax-driven struggle with plastic, where generation still outpaces true recycling, proving that while we can expertly handle a wine bottle, a crisp packet continues to be our collective nemesis.
Sources & References
- Reference 1STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 2IBISWORLDibisworld.comVisit source
- Reference 3PACKAGINGEUROPEpackagingeurope.comVisit source
- Reference 4SMITHERSsmithers.comVisit source
- Reference 5GLASSglass.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 6CANMAKERScanmakers.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 7BPFbpf.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 8MARKETSANDMARKETSmarketsandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 9WRAPwrap.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 10PHARMA-PACKAGINGpharma-packaging.comVisit source
- Reference 11BRITISHSOFTDRINKSbritishsoftdrinks.comVisit source
- Reference 12IMRGimrg.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 13CORRUGATEDcorrugated.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 14LUXURYPACKAGINGluxurypackaging.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 15SEALEDAIRsealedair.comVisit source
- Reference 16COSMETICSDESIGN-EUROPEcosmeticsdesign-europe.comVisit source
- Reference 17INDUSTRIALPACKAGINGindustrialpackaging.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 18FRESHPRODUCEfreshproduce.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 19IOPiop.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 20CONTRACTPACKAGINGUKcontractpackaginguk.comVisit source
- Reference 21FLEXPACKflexpack.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 22PLASTICSEUROPEplasticseurope.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 23CFIBcfib.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 24GLASSBOTTLEglassbottle.orgVisit source
- Reference 25PETCOREpetcore.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 26EUROPEAN-ALUMINIUMFOILeuropean-aluminiumfoil.orgVisit source
- Reference 27TIMBERTPACKAGINGtimbertPackaging.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 28THERMOFORMINGUKthermoforminguk.orgVisit source
- Reference 29PBSAUKpbsauk.orgVisit source
- Reference 30AEROSOLaerosol.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 31Visit source
- Reference 32UNITEDCLOSURESunitedclosures.orgVisit source
- Reference 33POUCHPACKAGINGpouchpackaging.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 34GOVgov.ukVisit source
- Reference 35VALPAKvalpak.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 36GPAgpa.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 37MPMAmpma.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 38ROYALMAILGROUProyalmailgroup.comVisit source
- Reference 39RECYCLEDPLASTICSPACKAGINGrecycledplasticspackaging.orgVisit source
- Reference 40PETUKpetuk.orgVisit source
- Reference 41PVCpvc.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 42PRO-EUROPEpro-europe.orgVisit source
- Reference 43KRAFTPAPERkraftpaper.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 44STEELsteel.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 45ALUMINIUMaluminium.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 46EUROPEAN-BIOPLASTICSeuropean-bioplastics.orgVisit source
- Reference 47PAPERCOATINGSpapercoatings.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 48EAFeaf.comVisit source
- Reference 49RECOUPrecoup.orgVisit source
- Reference 50FDFfdf.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 51ABBEYUKabbeyuk.comVisit source
- Reference 52RESOURCEFUTURESresourcefutures.comVisit source
- Reference 53LOOPloop.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 54TUVSUDtuvsud.comVisit source
- Reference 55EFWefw.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 56INCPENincpen.orgVisit source
- Reference 57TWOBRIDGEStwobridges.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 58ALUPROalupro.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 59PACKAGINGTODAYpackagingtoday.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 60UKTRADEINFOuktradeinfo.comVisit source
- Reference 61INNOVATEUKinnovateuk.orgVisit source
- Reference 62APPRENTICESHIPSapprenticeships.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 63OXFORDECONOMICSoxfordeconomics.comVisit source
- Reference 64PMPSApmpsa.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 65ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 66WMCHAMBERwmchamber.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 67SCOTTISH-ENTERPRISEscottish-enterprise.comVisit source
- Reference 68PRODUCTIVITYINSIGHTSproductivityinsights.orgVisit source
- Reference 69WOMENINPACKAGINGwomeninpackaging.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 70PACKAGINGPROFESSIONSpackagingprofessions.comVisit source
- Reference 71UKIPOukipo.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 72BEAUHURSTbeauhurst.comVisit source
