The Future of PCR Packaging to 2031
This report provides a deep dive into the global PCR packaging market to 2030, exploring compliance gaps, growth opportunities, and strategies to meet sustainability targets across Europe, Asia and North America.
PCR Packaging: A Market Outlook
A new infographic draws on the latest primary research from Smithers to map the current state and near-term trajectory of the global post-consumer recycled (PCR) packaging market.
The global market for post-consumer recycled (PCR) packaging is at an inflection point. Legislation is tightening, targets are looming and the economics of recyclate are shifting; yet many brand owners, packaging manufacturers and recyclers are still operating without a clear picture of where the market is heading. While market growth has underperformed earlier forecasts, driven by poor economics for recyclates that triggered closures of recycling plants and materials recovery facilities (MRFs), a return to stronger growth is expected from 2028 onwards.
We have distilled the headline findings from our comprehensive new market study, The Future of PCR Packaging to 2031, into a single, shareable infographic. In one page, you will find the data you need to understand the scale of the opportunity, the depth of the challenge and the technologies and policy frameworks shaping the future of the market.
The infographic covers:
- Global PCR packaging consumption in 2026 and forecast volumes to 2031 across all major regions
- The polymer-by-polymer breakdown showing why rPET is the dominant growth story
- End-use sector analysis
- A clear-eyed view of the closed-loop recycling process that underpins the entire PCR economy.
Behind every number is Smithers primary research, drawn from a global expert network that tracks real-world market conditions as they evolve.
Is your business ready for the PCR packaging revolution?
Whether you are a packaging buyer setting procurement strategy, a brand owner navigating EPR compliance, an investor evaluating recycling infrastructure opportunities, or a policymaker tracking the impact of legislation, this infographic gives you the facts, in context, in a format you can act on immediately.
Download the infographic now and discover what the data says about the road to 2031.