Report

The MEA Plastic Bottles And Containers Market size in terms of shipment volume is expected to grow from 1.84 million metric tons in 2025 to 2.14 million metric tons by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.03% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

Key Highlights
- Plastic packaging is becoming popular among consumers as it is lightweight and easy to handle. Similarly, even major manufacturers prefer to use plastic packaging solutions owing to their lower production costs. Moreover, the introduction of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) polymers is expanding the plastic bottling applications. The market is witnessing an increasing demand for PET bottles in the bottled water and soft drink markets.
- The region has a considerable consumer base that pushes the demand for plastic packing formats for different end users, mainly food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors. ?The urban-centric Middle Eastern population is increasingly influenced by global culture, leading to a heightened demand for international cuisines, ready-to-eat meals, and food delivery platforms. This trend toward modernization is fueling the demand for convenient food packaging products. With the constant demand for plastic bottles and containers, there is also an organic expansion for large-scale production in the region.
- Furthermore, the beverage business is one of the fastest growing in the Arab world, according to the Arab Beverages Association (ABA). The significant products offered at UAE's marketplaces include juices, malt, non-alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water, sports drinks, and cordials. The manufacturers are actively investing in the market, observing significant growth rates in the country. For instance, recently, Sidel installed one of the fastest single lines for a PET bottle company in Dubai. The line was created for Mai Dubai, a water bottle manufacturer in the United Arab Emirates, and is one of Sidel's Super Combi solutions.
- The market is anticipated to be significantly challenged owing to the dynamic changes in regulatory measures, primarily due to increasing environmental concerns. Governments across the region are responding to public problems regarding plastic packaging waste, especially plastic packaging waste, and implementing regulations to minimize environmental waste and improve waste management processes.
- Although there has been slow down in the overall plastic packaging businesses in the Middle East and Africa owing to the breakout of the pandemic, plastic packaging options like bottles and containers have consequently become a popular choice for e-commerce products as it is lightweight and indestructible, making it easy for consumers to use. Also, major manufacturers prefer plastic packaging due to the low cost of production.


MEA Plastic Bottles And Containers Market Trends

The Beverages Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth


- The demand for health drinks is expected to increase, influenced by the campaigns led by the ministries of health in various countries in the region. Due to the ban on alcohol in many countries in the region, soft drinks, such as energy and health drinks, are considered substitutes. Also, according to the World Travel Market article published in March 2023, more than alcohol, Gen Z consumers prefer newer categories of drinks like mocktails, cannabis-infused drinks, kombucha, and new soda.
- The demand for bottled water increased significantly in the region. In addition, consumers are more conscious of the need for healthier diets. The increased demand for bottled water, in turn, is expected to augment the growth of the bottled water packaging market in the region. Moreover, there is a significant demand for PET bottles for water and other soft drinks packaging. For instance, Almarai developed its business through strategic investments.
- Moreover, the emergence of biodegradable plastics is also expected to impact the growing consumer markets. According to Sidel, the demand for healthier products and sustainability are the two biggest trends impacting the PET packaging industry in Middle East and Africa. Since consumers are becoming more health conscious, moving toward nutritional products and away from sugary soft drinks, etc. These trends can impact the growth of the studied market in the long term.
- According to packaging equipment manufacturer Krones, the consumption of packed beverages in Middle East and Africa is expected to increase from 118.4 billion liters in 2021 to 127.1 billion liters in 2024. This consistent growth of packaged beverages is expected to bolster the demand for plastic bottles in the region during the forecast period.
- Stringent regulations for the use of plastic are imposed in the country. This forces manufacturers to opt for new packaging alternatives, such as oxo-degradable plastics. Companies are increasingly focusing on the urgency of recycling PET into food-grade products, such as beverage containers. For instance, The Coca-Cola Company intends to use 50% recycled PET in its containers by 2030.


South Africa is Anticipated to Hold a Substantial Market


- South Africa is a major contributor to Middle East and Africa. The market is expanding due to rising disposable income and the acceptability of occasional drinking. The profitable prospect for developing the South African beverage market is being provided by increasing urbanization and manufacturers' growing launch of new products.
- According to InterGest South Africa, the e-commerce sector of the food and beverage industry is rising. In 2021, the e-commerce sector grew by approximately 12.2%, resulting in a market volume of approximately EUR 95.25 million (USD 104.44 million). From 2021 to 2025, the food and beverage e-commerce sector is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 7.66%.
- Moreover, in South Africa, bottled water is witnessing an increase in demand for high-end goods and experiences. Bottled water in South Africa is in high demand due to the need for clean drinking water. The rise of water sommeliers and restaurants serving only the best-bottled water are clear signs of this premiumization. A prime example is the KL Izakhaya restaurant in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, which offers a special menu of luxury bottled water with items starting at ZAR 650 (USD 35.42) a bottle.
- The market for alcoholic beverages in South Africa is anticipated to expand during the forecast period due to the country's premiumization of beer, wine, and other light alcoholic beverages and the rising number of affluent young adults becoming interested in alcohol consumption. The plastic bottle is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative packaging format for beer and other alcoholic beverages.
- South Africa boasts the continent's largest market for cosmetics and personal care products. While cosmetics hold significant value, they are also highly perishable. Therefore, the quality of packaging materials and the right conditions for packaging, transport, storage, and distribution are vital to preserving the product's integrity. Polyethylene (PE), a highly durable plastic, stands out for its chemical resistance and cost-effectiveness. Derived from petroleum polymers, PE is resilient against environmental hazards and is mainly categorized into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
- According to the Department of Trade and Industry, South Africa, the cosmetics and personal care sector has been increasing in the past few years, and it was forecasted to be valued at USD 3.4 billion by the end of 2023, up from USD 3.1 billion in 2018. Plastic bottles lead the cosmetics packaging market. The rising demand for products aimed at enhancing conditions like skin and hair care is projected to drive the growth of bottle usage during the forecast period.


MEA Plastic Bottles And Containers Industry Overview

The Middle East and Africa plastic bottles and containers market is semi-consolidated in nature. Some of the major players are Amcor PLC, Graham Packaging Company, Plastipak Holdings Inc., and ALPLA Group. Factors such as the increasing demand for food and beverages will provide considerable growth opportunities in the plastic bottle market. Therefore, many companies are seeing this market as an emerging market. Some of the recent developments are:


- May 2024: Alpla, in collaboration with Refriango, an Angolan beverage leader, inaugurated their second in-house facility, named Alpla Sopro. Alpla and Refriango are addressing the rising demand for premium beverages and bottled water in Angola and its neighboring nations. In a strategic move, the global packaging expert, this new plant, situated at Refriango's Viana site, emphasizes "safe, affordable, and sustainable" plastic packaging. With this expansion, both companies aim to boost efficiency and capacity, all while minimizing their carbon footprint.
- February 2023: Al Ain Water introduced the first locally produced 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottle in the United Arab Emirates. As per the Chief Executive Officer, Alan Smith, plastic is a valuable resource if recycled and reused correctly. The company is working closely with the government of the United Arab Emirates and other interested parties to create a collection, recycling, and reuse system for PET-based packaging.


Additional Benefits:

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