Report

The India Container Glass Market size in terms of shipment volume is expected to grow from 3.93 million tons in 2025 to 5.34 million tons by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.29% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

Key Highlights
- The container glass market in India has experienced substantial growth due to increased alcohol consumption. The liquor industry, which heavily relies on glass containers, directly influences the market's growth rate.
- According to Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, beer consumption in India has been rising. In 2022, beer consumption reached 2.78 billion liters, with projections indicating an increase to 3.6 billion liters by 2026. Dark-colored glass bottles are preferred for beer packaging to protect contents from UV light spoilage.
- The Indian soft drink market is expected to maintain strong growth. Varun Beverages Ltd, PepsiCo India's bottling partner, reported that annual per-capita bottle consumption was anticipated to reach approximately 84 by 2021, with further increases in 2022. PepsiCo aims to reduce plastic packaging in its soft drinks, targeting a reduction of up to 67 billion plastic bottles by 2025. The company's acquisition of SodaStream is expected to increase the use of glass bottle packaging in its product offerings.
- Plastic bans in India and other countries have significantly contributed to increased glass container usage. As a direct substitute for plastic containers, glass has become a primary alternative packaging material. Despite low per capita consumption, the market is experiencing robust growth due to demand from local beverage, alcohol, food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.
- The main obstacle to market growth is the higher carbon footprint associated with glass production. Glass manufacturing requires an energy-intensive process with furnace temperatures ranging from 1,300C to 1,650C and flames up to 2,000C. Additionally, glass packaging is 12 times heavier than carton-based alternatives. A Thinkstep study revealed that material weight significantly contributes to the carbon footprint from production to retail distribution.


India Glass Container Market Trends

Alcoholic Segment to Hold Significant Market Share


- Alcohol, such as wine and spirits, is usually stored in glass. The glass bottle is most favored in wine packaging, especially colored glass because wine should not be exposed to sunlight. If exposed to sunlight, the wine will get spoiled. The increasing consumption of wine is expected to spearhead the glass packaging demand during the forecast period.
- India's alcohol consumption has doubled over the past decade. The market is experiencing a dual focus: expansion of the premium segment and increased penetration of the routine category, both aimed at boosting per capita consumption. Vendors are noting a growing demand from the wine and spirits industry. For example, Piramal Glass, which supplies to major brands like Diageo, Bacardi, and Pernod Ricard, reports an uptick in demand for short-run specialty bottles for spirits.
- India is one of the fastest-growing alcoholic beverage markets globally. Moreover, ICRIER (Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations) said that over 70% of the growth in alcoholic beverage consumption in India in the next decade would be driven by the lower middle and upper middle-income groups, and there is a growing trend toward product premiumization.
- The sector is open to foreign investments, and many states offer subsidies for local manufacturing (for example, Maharashtra and Karnataka for wines). From the demand side, factors such as rapid urbanization, changing consumer preferences, and a sizeable and growing middle-class population with increased purchasing power have contributed to the growth in demand for alcoholic beverages.
- In addition, the government should focus on phased tariffs and other duties reductions, and Indian companies should be encouraged to export to improve the trade balance. Duty reduction for intermediate products can enhance value addition in India and boost domestic manufacturing potential.
- Alcoholic beverages, particularly premium products, often use glass containers due to their aesthetic appeal, durability, and inert nature, which preserves the quality of the contents. As export volumes rise, demand for high-quality glass bottles for spirits, wines, and beers will likely increase to meet international standards and consumer preferences.
- According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in financial year 2024, the export value of alcoholic beverages from India reached USD 375 million, marking an increase from the previous year.


Pharmaceutical Industry to Register Significant Growth


- India is one of the major suppliers of generic medicines worldwide. As exports increase, demand for high-quality glass packaging that meets international standards also rises. This stimulates growth in the glass container market, as manufacturers ramp up production to cater to both domestic and global markets.
- The healthcare sector's growth encourages investments in R&D, especially for more sustainable, lightweight, and durable glass packaging solutions. This aligns with the healthcare industry's need for efficient and safe packaging, promoting advancements in the glass container market.
- According to India Brand Equity Foundation, in 2023, India's healthcare sector was valued at roughly USD 372 billion. It was an increase in comparison to 2020, showcasing significant growth. The sector is one of the largest contributors in terms of revenue and employment in the country.
- Moreover, India has emerged as a medical tourism hub, providing cost-effective treatments with the latest technology enabled by several pathbreaking reforms and provisions. India is one of the biggest suppliers of low-cost medicines in the world. Because of their low price and high quality, Indian medicines are preferred worldwide, rightly making the country the 'Pharmacy of the World'.
- The expansion in healthcare services and pharmaceuticals directly boosts demand for glass containers, especially for packaging medicines, vaccines, and medical vials. Glass is commonly used in these applications due to its non-reactive nature, helping preserve the quality and efficacy of medicines, which is crucial for the healthcare industry.


India Glass Container Industry Overview

The glass packaging market in India is fragmented, featuring several key players. Manufacturers include SCHOTT POONAWALLA PRIVATE LIMITED, AGI glaspac (A HSIL Company), CANPACK S.A., and Emerge Glass India Pvt Ltd. These companies significantly influence market dynamics. To maintain their competitive edge, vendors in the Indian container glass market are pursuing various strategies such as expansion, mergers and acquisitions, and product innovations.

These activities aim to strengthen their positions within the Indian market, address local demand, and adapt to regional regulations and sustainability requirements. Indian container glass manufacturers are also focusing on enhancing their production capabilities and developing eco-friendly glass solutions to meet the country's growing environmental concerns.

Additional Benefits:

- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
- 3 months of analyst support