Plastic bottles and similar articles market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

Ireland's plastic packaging consumption per capita reached 64 kg in 2019, the highest in the EU, underpinning strong domestic demand for plastic bottles and similar articles. From 2018 onward, EU and national regulations, including the Single-Use Plastics Directive and the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, began tightening recycling targets and producer obligations. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted plastic resin supply chains, increasing material costs and trade volatility.

The market experienced direct regulatory impacts from 2022. Preparation for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and EU rules requiring tethered caps on bottles up to 3 liters forced manufacturers to redesign products. In 2023, full enforcement of cap-tethering and the DRS launch temporarily reduced production volumes as companies adapted, but market size continued expanding due to imports. By 2024, the DRS was fully operational, with over 30 million PET bottles returned, and new mandatory recycled-content thresholds (25% recycled PET from January 2025) spurred investment in recycled materials, helping production recover to USD 96.4 million and driving market size to USD 206.9 million.

Production plastic bottles and similar articles in Ireland

According to Faostat, there is no production of plastic bottles and similar articles in Ireland.

Exports plastic bottles and similar articles from Ireland

Exports in kind, t

Ireland's exports of plastic bottles and similar articles declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 9 802 tonnes, marking a sharp 30.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 33.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 12.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 18 783 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring in 2018 at 28.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the export market structure was highly concentrated, with the United Kingdom alone accounting for 93.4% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Ireland's exports of plastic bottles and similar articles declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 28 412 thousand US dollars, representing a steep 34.0% decrease year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 35.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 59 809 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase also in 2018 at 35.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom was the dominant buyer of plastic bottles and similar articles from Ireland, accounting for 84.4% of total exports in value terms, while other countries shared the remaining volume.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2017-2020

Imports plastic bottles and similar articles to Ireland

Imports in kind, t

Ireland's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 34 478 tonnes, down by 36.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 57.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 24.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom remained the primary destination for imports in kind, accounting for 80.8% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed across various smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Ireland's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 91 633 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 8.9% year-over-year growth. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 21.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (52.5% of imports in value terms), the United States (12.9% of imports in value terms), and the Netherlands (7.6% of imports in value terms) together accounted for 72.9% of total imports in value terms, making them the main destinations for plastic bottles and similar articles imported into Ireland.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2017-2020