Plastic packaging rises 11% in the EU, JRC study finds

Plastic gains ground as the EU's only rising packaging material

Plastic was the only packaging material to increase its presence on the European Union market between 2011 and 2025, according to a new study by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), reported by retema.es. Over the period, plastic packaging grew 11% in absolute terms, reaching 5.9 million tonnes placed on the market in 2025 — the equivalent of 14 kg per inhabitant in the countries analysed.

The JRC assessed the evolution of glass, plastic, metal, paper and cardboard, and composite packaging across 19 member states that account for more than 97% of the EU population. While every other material lost or held ground, plastic continued to expand, a signal for polymer producers and converters that structural demand for packaging resins remains intact.

PET leads, but national profiles diverge

PET, used mainly in water and soft-drink bottles, is the polymer with the largest presence in consumer packaging. In Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden, however, polypropylene (PP) carries more weight, reflecting its wider use across food and beverage products.

Market trends differ sharply by country. Belgium, France and the Netherlands have kept plastic packaging volumes relatively stable, while Ireland, Romania and Poland recorded continuous increases over the period. Per-capita consumption also varies: Germany reached 16 kg of plastic packaging per inhabitant in 2024, roughly double Sweden's level, against an average of 14 kg across the 19 countries. In Italy, water bottles alone account for 46% of total plastic packaging consumption, compared with just 6% in Sweden.

Glass still dominates by weight

Despite plastic's growth, glass remains the heaviest material on the European market because of its high density. Of the 98 kg of packaging used per inhabitant in 2024, about 75% was glass. Reusable and single-use bottles make up most of that volume, with beer bottles the most numerous at roughly 16.5 million tonnes.

Data feeds EU circular-economy targets

The study forms part of the technical support the JRC provides to member states in tracking the goals set by the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Its updated methodology extends the analysis beyond food and drink to new product categories — household cleaning, personal care and pet food — to sharpen estimates of packaging placed on the market and support assessment of the EU's circular-economy policies.