Report

The India Metal Packaging Market size is worth USD 10.23 Billion in 2025, growing at an 5.75% CAGR and is forecast to hit USD 13.52 Billion by 2030.

The metal packaging market in India is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand across the food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and personal care industries.

Key Highlights
- Metals like aluminum and steel are preferred for their durability, safety, and preservation capabilities. The expanding middle-class population and consumer preferences for packaged goods fuel market growth.
- Aluminum dominates the Indian metal packaging market, particularly in the beverage sector. The increased consumption of soft drinks, energy drinks, and alcoholic beverages has boosted aluminum can usage. The material's recyclability has enhanced its adoption as an environmentally responsible choice. Companies are developing innovative designs and improving aluminum can technology to ensure convenience, product safety, and sustainability.
- Metal packaging is essential for quality preservation and shelf life extension in the food sector. Cans and tins are ordinary for packaging ready-to-eat meals, processed foods, fruits, and vegetables. The rise in convenience food consumption and the growing working professional population have increased the demand for canned foods. The healthcare sector also contributes significantly, using metal packaging for medicines, ointments, and creams due to its protective properties.
- Sustainability is driving the growth of India's metal packaging market. Environmental awareness has increased consumer and business preference for recyclable and reusable packaging. Metal packaging, especially aluminum, maintains its quality through multiple recycling cycles, making it a preferred choice for brands. The market evolution indicates a continued focus on innovation, with new technologies and designs enhancing metal packaging functionality and appeal in India.
- Companies in India are increasing their investments in metal packaging, particularly cans, to meet the growing demand across beverages, food, personal care, and household products industries. These companies are improving can design, upgrading technology, and implementing eco-friendly practices to provide sustainable and efficient packaging solutions. In May 2024, Ball Corporation partnered with CavinKare to introduce retort aluminum cans for milkshakes in India's dairy sector. This development addresses the increasing demand for ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages while meeting consumer preferences for convenience and sustainability.
- In India, the metal packaging market faces growth challenges, mainly due to the rise of alternative packaging solutions. Metal packaging, particularly cans, boasts durability, recyclability, and practical product preservation. However, alternatives like plastic, glass, and flexible packaging are emerging as formidable competitors. These alternatives are frequently chosen for their cost-effectiveness, versatility, and distinct benefits in specific industries, posing a challenge to the widespread acceptance of metal packaging.


India Metal Packaging Market Trends

Beverage Cans are Expected to Hold Significant Share


- In India, the metal packaging market is increasingly dominated by beverage cans, fueled by a rising appetite for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The surging consumption of soft drinks, energy drinks, iced teas, and alcoholic options like beer and ready-to-drink cocktails underscores the trend. Aluminum and steel cans are favored for their convenience, portability, and prowess in preserving product quality. As on-the-go consumption surges, especially among the younger urban demographic, beverage cans have become India's go-to packaging for ready-to-drink beverages.
- When it comes to non-alcoholic drinks, cans shine as a practical choice. They are adept at preserving the taste, carbonation, and freshness of sodas, energy drinks, and fruit juices. Their sealed, airtight nature safeguards the integrity of carbonated and flavored beverages. Moreover, the recyclability of aluminum cans resonates with the rising consumer demand for sustainability, bolstering their appeal in the non-alcoholic segment. With sustainability gaining traction in India, brands increasingly gravitate towards aluminum cans, viewing them as a greener alternative to plastic bottles.
- India's alcoholic beverage sector is also pivoting towards cans, especially in the beer and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail arenas. Beer producers are turning to aluminum cans, valuing their ability to maintain carbonation and freshness while shielding the product from light and air degradation. The lightweight nature of cans further enhances their appeal for distribution and consumption, particularly in outdoor and event contexts. As urban alcohol consumption trends evolve, cans emerge as a favored choice, offering convenience, portability, and cost-effectiveness to a diverse audience.
- India's beer consumption is rising, with volumes jumping from 1.63 billion liters in 2020 to an anticipated 3.40 billion liters by 2025. This surge underscores the growing allure of beer in the country, spurred by urbanization, evolving lifestyles, and rising disposable incomes, especially among the youth. The influx of diverse domestic and international beer brands has further fueled this trend. As beer consumption escalates, so does the demand for efficient and sustainable packaging solutions. Metal cans, known for their lightweight nature and ability to preserve beer's quality and freshness, are becoming increasingly popular. This burgeoning beer market signals a bright future for manufacturers and the packaging industry in India.
- Manufacturers of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are harnessing the branding potential of cans to engage consumers. The smooth aluminum surface lends itself to vibrant, high-quality designs, ensuring they can catch the eye of crowded store shelves-a vital edge in a competitive landscape. Innovations like easy-open tabs and distinctive shapes amplify consumer convenience. As both beverage sectors expand, the dominance of cans in India's metal packaging market seems assured, bolstered by their functional, eco-friendly, and aesthetic merits.


Food Industry is Expected to Witness Significant Growth


- In India, the food industry's demand for metal packaging is rising, spurred by a growing appetite for convenience, extended shelf life, and enhanced product preservation. Metal packaging, notably cans, tins, and jars, safeguards food from contamination, light, air, and moisture, ensuring freshness and longevity. With a surge in demand for ready-to-eat meals, canned vegetables, fruits, sauces, and snacks, metal packaging has cemented its place in the food sector.
- Consumers increasingly gravitate towards convenience and processed foods, so the appetite for metal packaging solutions has intensified. Metal cans are the go-to choice for packaging canned soups, ready-to-eat meals, beverages, and even pet food, owing to their sealed environment that safeguards taste, nutrition, and safety. Moreover, the recyclability of metal packaging resonates with the rising consumer demand for sustainable solutions, further cementing its role in the food industry.
- Factors like a burgeoning middle class, urbanization, and evolving lifestyles drive India's appetite for packaged food. With a growing preference for convenient, ready-to-eat meals, metal packaging is the ideal blend of practicality and sustainability. Innovations like lightweight cans, easy-open lids, and versatile designs have further enhanced metal packaging's appeal, boosting its adoption in the food sector.
- India's packaged food market, valued at USD 51.3 billion in 2022, is set to reach an estimated USD 70.2 billion by 2024. This surge is intricately tied to a rising preference for metal packaging solutions. With consumers gravitating towards convenient, ready-to-eat meals and processed foods, metal packaging emerges as a key player, ensuring food quality, safety, and extended shelf life. Popular choices like cans, tins, and aluminum packaging shield products from light, air, and moisture, safeguarding taste and nutrition.
- The uptick in packaged food consumption has amplified the demand for efficient, sustainable packaging. Metal cans, favored for their airtight seals and recyclability, have become the go-to option. As the market expands, manufacturers increasingly turn to metal packaging, underscoring its pivotal role in the evolving food industry, driven by demands for convenience, sustainability, and product preservation.
- As India's appetite for processed and packaged foods grows, so does the demand for metal packaging. With a keen focus on product quality, safety, and sustainability, manufacturers increasingly turn to metal packaging, especially cans and tins, for their durability, recyclability, and superior preservation qualities.


India Metal Packaging Industry Overview

The Indian metal packaging market is fragmented and consists of significant individual players, such as Hindustan Tin Works Ltd., Deccan Cans & Printers Pvt. Ltd., Zenith Tins Private Limited, Ball Corporation, NIKITA CONTAINERS PVT. LTD. Many companies are increasing their market presence by expanding their operations or entering into strategic mergers and acquisitions.

Additional Benefits:

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