Above-average demand growth is expected in reusable and degradable packaging, although recycled-content packaging will remain the largest product type. World demand for green packaging - including recycled-content, reusable and degradable packaging - is projected to rise 5.7% per year to US$212 billion in 2015, as per The Freedonia Group. The study notes that while recycled-content packaging will remain by far the largest product type through the forecast period and beyond, this segment will see the slowest increases due to the maturity of products such as metal cans and glass containers. On the other hand, above-average demand growth is expected in reusable and degradable packaging. In particular, the demand for degradable packaging will continue to see double-digit annual growth rates. Gains in recycled-content packaging will be supported by increased collection activity and processing capacity, coupled with greater use of recycled-content packaging by firms seeking to demonstrate environmental responsibility and differentiate their products. Demand for reusable packaging will be boosted by acceleration in global manufacturing activity. Degradable packaging will continue to see the fastest advances in demand, but will only account for approximately 1% of the overall green packaging market through 2015. The Asia/Pacific region will see above-average gains (7.2% from 2010 to 2015, to approximately US$79.1 bln) and will remain the largest regional market in the world, due to its large food and beverage industries (which represent the main green packaging applications). Central and South America, Eastern Europe and the Africa/Mideast region will also experience above-average growth, though advances in these areas will stem from smaller bases (collectively, these three regions only accounted for 12% of global green packaging demand in 2010). Overall, some of the fastest growth will be seen in Asia, specifically in India, China, and Indonesia. Other developing countries such as Russia, Turkey, Brazil, and Mexico are also expected to see healthy gains. USA, which accounted for 23% of global sales in 2010, is the largest national green packaging market in the world by a wide margin. Other large, generally mature markets include Japan and Germany. While Japan will remain one of the largest markets in the world, the country is forecast to see the slowest growth rate through 2015. Nonetheless, good opportunities will still be found in developed countries, especially for degradable packaging products.

The total market value of global green packaging was nearly US$109 bln in 2011, and by 2018 this figure is expected to nearly US$178 billion, growing at a CAGR of 7.6% from 2013 to 2018, as per Transparency Market Research. In the overall global market, Europe accounted for the highest share worth US$41,325 mln in 2011 followed by North America, which accounted for USD 32,625 mln in 2011. However, the highest growth in the forecasted period is expected to be witnessed in the Asia Pacific region, especially India and China, due to large population base, economic growth and rising awareness about green products. In the past 10 years, green or sustainable packaging has become a hot topic in the packaging industry. Packaging industry from the previous focus on the utility of the product turned to focus on safety, health, and to facilitate recycling and other environmental requirements. Advocate green packaging, lightweight packaging, appropriate packaging increasingly become the focus of the strategic development of the packaging industry. All aspects of retailers, public awareness, economic pressures (especially petroleum products) and government policy driven, green ideas have penetrated into the packaging from the source of raw materials to processing, to final approach and eventually evolved into a very complex issue. The development of plastic packaging, especially in the field of food packaging laws and regulations, the current government should initiate and improve action alone the enterprise consciousness and consumers to report complaints difficult to achieve the desired results, it is necessary to rely on the enforcement of the government to allow industry to safer, more environmentally friendly and more economical direction. As sources of raw materials, bio-degradable materials have now become one of the highlights of the packaging field. Although we cannot completely replace petroleum-based plastics, but in the promotion of national policy to encourage and enterprise application ratio is gradually increased; as a packaging material, especially food packaging materials, security should comply with the most basic principles. How to avoid product performance while plasticizing agent, the metal element contamination of food enterprises to survive, the problem must be solved by the development; once again, as a member of the society, the enterprise must bear the social responsibility, do a good job of packaging waste treatment and resource recycling work to achieve sustainable development requirements. Key factors encouraging the move towards green packaging include growing awareness about carbon emissions, energy consumption and waste reduction targets implemented by different nations, rapidly growing economies, a dearth of natural resources, and consumers' preference for eco-friendly products. Worldwide, the waste generated because of production and transportation of packaging materials has impacted the environment considerably over the past few years. The condition is grim in the UK, where 5.91 million tons of packaging waste is estimated to be generated each year, representing approximately 20.1% of all waste. Manufacturers are thus continuously trying to use environmentally friendly packaging materials, which further support the growth of green packaging market. Europe will lead primarily in the green packaging market due to high regulatory barriers and less land for landfills. Developed countries like North America and Japan will have slow growth rate, while emerging countries like India, China and Indonesia will experience the fastest growth during the forecasted period. Reusable and degradable packaging is expected to witness high growth rate in the Asia Pacific region from 2013 to 2018. Among the different packaging product types, recycled packaging accounts for the highest market share, growing at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2013 to 2018. North America is expected to witness slow growth in recycled packaging but high growth in reusable packaging due to high energy consumption and higher cost incurred in the production processes of recycled packaging. Limited consumer demand, poor recycling infrastructure and regulatory concerns are the major restraints for the green packaging market; however cost-effective methods and advanced packaging technologies are likely to offset the prevailing restraints. The Asia Pacific region is likely to serve as an opportunity for the green packaging market players because of large consumer base, and growing food and beverage industries.

The Global Green (Sustainable) Packaging market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 14.32% over the period of 2012-2016. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the increased environmental concerns, as per TechNavio Market Research Reports. The Global Green (Sustainable) Packaging market has also been witnessing the growing R&D in the Green Packaging sector. However, the capacity reduction and transportation risks could pose a challenge to the growth of this market. The increasing focus on R and D has a positive trend that is expected to propel the growth of the Global Green (Sustainable) Packaging market during the forecast period.