Returnable Packaging Market Analysis

Global Returnable Packaging Market Overview

The Returnable Packaging Market Size was valued at USD 105.63 Billion in 2023. The Returnable Packaging industry is projected to grow from USD 111.64 Billion in 2024 to USD 192.22 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). It has been marked that returnable packaging has been used in various end-user industries which include food and beverages, automotive units, pharma units, and medical sectors along with consumer goods.  The returnable packaging industry in the European region dominates and covers a huge market share during the market forecast period. It was followed by the North American and Asia Pacific regions. Returnable packaging also called reusable packaging is made from materials like polypropylene and plastics which are highly durable. It is used for multiple purposes and has an extended shelf life. Some of the features like spending fewer costs, a rise in the safety of the product, and its reusability.   

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Returnable Packaging Market Trends

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  The increase in demand for the increase food & beverages has boost the market growth

  
  

A rise in awareness about the packaging products of the returnable market drives up market growth. making oneself aware of sustainable packaging and also about the strong industrial base particularly in this region increases the expansion of the returnable packaging market size. Improvement taking place in this region along with the rise in funding facilities becomes a major growth factor in this region. The rise in demand for packaged food and beverages rises market growth. 

Additionally, an increase in awareness for the reduction of packaging waste a and lessening in demand for heavy trans[poratiation are the main lucrative opportunities forcing up the returnable packaging market growth. Expansion in the consumer market and increased unavailability of natural resources are the factors that raise the market size. The emerging economy in some of the regions of Brazil, China, and India augments the opportunity for logistically packaged industrial products. These regions have a high amount of raw materials and also have an enriched economy which increases the demand for the manufacturing sectors including the chemicals, medicals, and material sectors. The high growth of manufacturing units along the upcoming regions to the need for more sustainable and availability at low prices. The rise in urbanization, increase in internet penetration rate, and expanding more of trade commerce rate gives a huge offer to the market for driving up the returnable packaging market size.

From April 2024, Uber Eats will offer takeaway food in reusable containers that can be returned in order to reduce carbon emissions and packaging waste and is expanding the program to LA, San Francisco and other cities on the US West Coast.

In March 2024, a sustainable bottle was introduced for the brewing industry by Brau Union Austria, which boasts a number of benefits. Presented with Vetropack group, it aims at cutting costs as well as reducing CO2 emissions through shorter transport routes because the Austrian brewing industry will get more crates per pallet due to this new 033-litre returnable bottle.

DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, acquired Nefab, one of the best players in the manufacturing of reusable plastic packaging, in March 2023. This purchase allowed DS Smith to widen and solidify its position in the market.

Returnable Packaging Market Segment Insights

Returnable Packaging Product Insights

The Returnable Packaging Market segmentation, based on Product, includes pallets, Crates, IBCs, And Others. The pallets product segment led the market and accounted for quite a 30% share of the worldwide revenue, on account of the in-depth utilization of pallets by multiple end-use industries ranging from food & beverages to petroleum & lubricants. The growing use of reusable pallets over one expendable pallet, as the former is sturdy and economically viable, is predicted to spice up the segment growth. 

Returnable Packaging Material Insights

Based on Material, the Returnable Packaging Market segmentation includes Plastic, Metal, Wood, And Others. Plastic led the market and accounted for quite 63% of the worldwide revenue share. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP) plastics are typically used for manufacturing products, such as pallets, crates, IBCs, and drums, owing to their durability, low weight, and powerful corrosion and solvent resistance. 

Brambles, in April 2023, announced the conclusion of a merger between CHEP China, which is a reusable container manufacturer, and LOSCAM China, a pooling and returnable packaging solutions provider for supply chains. In its supply chain management, Brambles can satisfy the growing demand for returnable packaging options by merging with other companies.

Figure 2: Returnable Packaging Market, by Product, 2023 & 2030 (USD Billion)             Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review 

Returnable Packaging Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The returnable packaging industry in the European region dominates and covers a huge market share during the market forecast period. It was followed by the North American and Asia Pacific regions. The European market projects at a high CAGR and becomes the most dominant region during the market forecast period.

Figure 3: RETURNABLE PACKAGING MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2023 (%)    Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

The returnable packaging market in the North American region is marked to be the large and fastest-growing returnable market. In the Asia Pacific region, the Chinese and Indian regions contribute to covering a significant share of the market. Due to industrialization and more manufacturing activities increase in growth has driven up the returnable packaging market size. Some of the Middle East and African regions raise their raise due to the increasing growth in food and beverage, especially in this region. The manufacturing units here are largely set up which fills advanced technology.

Returnable Packaging Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the Returnable Packaging market grow even more. Market participants are also taking a range of strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the Returnable Packaging industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

The major market players are investing a lot of money in R&D to expand their product lines, which will spur further market growth for Returnable Packaging. With significant market development like new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations, market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their global presence. To grow and thrive in a market climate that is becoming more competitive and growing, competitors in the Returnable Packaging industry must offer affordable products.

Manufacturing locally to cut operating costs is one of the main business tactics manufacturers use in the global Returnable Packaging industry to benefit customers and expand the market sector. The Returnable Packaging market has recently given medicine some of the most important advantages. Major Returnable Packaging market players, including Brambles (Australia), Schoeller Allibert (Netherlands), Menasha Corporation (US), DS Smith (UK), Myers Industries (US), and others, are attempting to increase market demand by funding R&D initiatives.

Brambles is a company that provides supply-chain logistics solutions based on the provision of reusable pallets, crates, and containers for shared use by various participants in the supply chain. It offers pallet and container pooling, and reusable plascrateates pooling services. The company provides its services the customers in the fast-moving consumer goods, fresh produce, beverage, retail, and general manufacturing industries.

Crown Holdings (the world’s largest supplier of canned beverages and aerosol cans) purchased RPC Group (Europe’s biggest producer of returnable plastic containers) in April 2023. Crown Holdings is, therefore, likely to attract customers and expand into the returnable packaging industry through this deal.

Also, Schoeller Allibert is a company that develops and manufactures returnable transit packaging. It offers foldable large containers, plastic pallets, stackable containers, dollies, beverage crates, pails, and more. The company caters to agriculture, automotive, beverages, food, retail, and other sectors.

Key Companies in the Returnable Packaging market include

• Brambles (Australia)


• Schoeller Allibert (Netherlands)


• Menasha Corporation (US)


• DS Smith (UK)


• Myers Industries (US)


• Nefab Group (Sweden)


• Rehrig Pacific Company (US)


• IPL Plastics (Ireland)


• Schutz GmbH & Co. KGaA (Germany)


• Vetropack Holding (Switzerland)

Returnable Packaging Industry Developments

In the year 2021 Scholar Allibert in collaboration used the recycled fishing net for the manufacturing of the pallet box. During these recent years, it has been found that due to this manufacturer, ring this company is celebrating its happiness of sustainability strategy. It focuses on a certain motto and concentrates on manufacturing sustainable packaging products.

In May 2021 Nefab expanded its business to the North American region. It has expanded its business to Texas of Houston, Arizona of Tucson, and Gainsville of Florida region.

In March 2024, French beauty brand Yves Rocher has unveiled new eco-refill packs for its bath and shower gels called Bain de Nature. Apparently, these are made from 90% recycled plastic; what’s more, is that they use four times less plastic than conventional bottles (400ml) do – packaging-wise. In addition, sustainable alternative products as demanded by consumers or required under national & EU regulations regarding plastic use.

In June 2023, Puracy, a brand that deals with plant-based cleaning products, launched new refill packs in the form of aluminum cans and reusable bottles to cut out all the inconveniences/bulkiness associated with prevailing filling agents and make the refilling process more convenient.

In April 2024, IFCO (one of the main suppliers of Returnable Packaging Containers) announced that it had acquired BEPCO, another renowned reusable packing pooling company based in Tallinn, Estonia, that operates meat and dairy crate pools across Baltic countries. This strategic acquisition is targeted at strengthening IFCO’s market presence and enlarging its product portfolio within this region.

Returnable Packaging Market Segmentation

Returnable Packaging Product Outlook

• Pallets


• Crates


• IBCs


• Others

Returnable Packaging Material Outlook

• Plastic


• Metal


• Wood


• Others

Returnable Packaging Regional Outlook

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  North America

  
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


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  Europe

  
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


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  Asia-Pacific

  
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


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  Rest of the World

  
  
  
  
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    Middle East

    
    
  
  
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    Africa

    
    
  
  
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    Latin America