Outlook for the Plastic Bucket Market from 2025 to 2035
The plastic bucket market is expected to reach $4.7 billion by 2025 and $6.6 billion by 2035. It is expected that sales will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2035. The revenue from plastic barrels in 2024 is $4.6 billion.
In the end use category, compared to other industries, the chemical and petrochemical industries heavily use plastic drums and are expected to hold over 35% of the market share during the forecast period. This is mainly due to certain factors, including requirements for bulk storage and safe transportation of various chemicals, solvents, oils, and gases. Plastic buckets have chemical resistance, durability, and low cost, making them an excellent tool for handling hazardous and non hazardous materials.
Half year market update
The table below shows the expected compound annual growth rate of the global plastic bucket market for several six-month periods from 2024 to 2034.
In the first half of 2023 to 2033 (H1), it is expected that the compound annual growth rate of this business will reach 3.3%, and the growth rate in the second half (H2) will slightly increase to 3.7%. Entering the next period, from the first half of 2024 to the second half of 2034, it is expected that the compound annual growth rate in the first half of the year will slightly decrease to 3.2%, and the compound annual growth rate in the second half of the year will remain at a relatively mild 3.8%. In the first half of the year (H1), the market fell by 10 basis points, while in the second half of the year (H2), the market grew by 10 basis points.
Main industry highlights
The increasing amount of waste generated is driving the demand for plastic buckets to achieve proper waste management
The demand for plastic bins has been greatly driven by efficient waste management, garbage disposal, and collection. Plastic drums are sturdy, leak proof, and resistant to chemicals, making them ideal for safe storage and transportation of hazardous waste, waste oil, chemicals, and other substances. Urbanization and industrialization have increased the amount of waste.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective storage. The United Nations Environment Programme predicts that by 2050, the global production of urban solid waste is expected to increase to 3.8 billion tons. This is a waste trend, which has increased the demand for efficient container systems, driving the demand for plastic barrels. These buckets are crucial in waste collection, treatment, and recycling, which will help address the increasingly severe global waste challenge.
The increasing demand for food safety storage is driving the use of plastic buckets
The increasing demand for food safety packaging solutions has driven the popularity of plastic buckets in the food and beverage industry. As an FDA approved food grade material, plastic barrels can easily provide the most suitable storage method for edible oils, seasonings, syrups, and beverages without compromising safety and strict regulation. In addition, the growing demand for bulk storage and transportation solutions in the export-oriented food industry has further promoted the widespread use of plastic drums.
Plastic buckets are sturdy, durable, and easy to clean. It can prevent pollution and maintain hygiene, which is always very important for perishable goods. The growth of food processing companies requires continuous expansion of storage and packaging, which must be efficient and cost-effective. A key growth driver in the global plastic bucket market is the food and beverage industry, which is the result of increased demand for food safety storage.
Comparison of Global Plastic Bucket Sales Prospects from 2020 to 2024 and Demand Forecast from 2025 to 2035
During the historical period from 2020 to 2024, the compound annual growth rate of the global plastic bucket market was 2.2%. The plastic bucket market is growing positively, with its value expected to increase from $4.2 billion in 2020 to $4.6 billion in 2024.
During this period, from 2020 to 2024, the plastic bucket market steadily grew due to demand from the chemical, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Bulk storage solutions, regulatory compliance, and low cost are the main driving forces that continue to drive the development of the industry, and emerging economies are also steadily expanding.
From 2025 to 2035, the plastic bucket market is expected to accelerate its growth, especially in the Asia Pacific region, thanks to rapid industrialization, export growth, and changes in sustainable packaging regulatory policies. The demand for larger capacity barrels and more environmentally friendly alternatives will shape the market and bring new opportunities and challenges in the next decade.
Manufacturing and agricultural growth drive demand for plastic barrels in Canada
Compared to other North American countries, the compound annual growth rate of Canada’s plastic bucket market is expected to be 3.8%.
The demand for plastic barrels in Canada is increasingly driven by the expansion of manufacturing activities, and the agricultural industry has also generated strong demand. In fact, industries such as automotive, construction, and electronics are expanding, increasing the demand for efficient packaging solutions such as plastic buckets. These diversified industries store large quantities of chemicals and various oils, lubricants, and raw materials.
A large number of plastic buckets are required for this purpose. In agriculture, plastic buckets are used to store fertilizers, pesticides, and fertilizer liquids, as well as for transporting heavy bulk grains and seeds.
With the continuous promotion of green environmental protection concepts, reusable packaging has become a trend in both agriculture and industry, which has made recyclers increasingly interested in plastic barrels. It gathers all the growth of the industry and development methods to improve domestic logistics and export capabilities. It continues to promote the adoption of plastic barrels in Canada.
China’s export growth drives demand for bulk packaging solutions
The booming development of China’s manufacturing industry has driven an increase in export activities, which will help drive demand for efficient storage solutions such as plastic drums. It is expected that the country’s compound annual growth rate will reach 5.0% during the evaluation period.
China is one of the world’s largest manufacturing countries, therefore it requires efficient storage and transportation of products to transport large quantities of finished goods sold globally. Chemicals, electronic products, and food all rely on sturdy packaging systems such as plastic drums.
Plastic buckets are sturdy, easy to stack, inexpensive, and resistant to chemical corrosion, and can be used to store various goods produced in the country. With the increase in China’s exports and the growing demand for reliable and safe packaging products such as plastic drums, the demand for plastic drums is expected to increase significantly.
Key developments in the plastic bucket market
In October 2024, Fries KT GmbH invested in a new and state-of-the-art extrusion blow molding machine for producing recycled material barrels.
In April 2024, Greif acquired iPACKCHEM, further expanding its portfolio of sustainable packaging solutions and consolidating Greif’s position in the specialty chemicals market to support its environmental initiatives.
In August 2024, Mauser Packaging Solutions acquired the manufacturing, sales, and supply business of plastic drums (including large rigid plastic drums) located in Paignton, KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa.
In October 2023, CurTec will expand the production capacity of its US factory located in Westminster.
Competitive landscape
1、 Market size and growth
Stable compound annual growth rate: It is expected that the global plastic bucket market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% from 2025 to 2031, with sales increasing from $6.758 billion to $8.627 billion. If this trend continues, the market size may exceed 10 billion US dollars by 2035.
Driving factors: The durability, lightweight characteristics, and low-cost advantages of plastic buckets continue to support their demand, especially occupying a core position in packaging scenarios in industries such as chemical, food, and pharmaceutical.
2、 Regional market dynamics
European dominance: By 2025, Europe will account for about 30% of the global plastic bucket market share, while North America will account for 25%, mainly due to the promotion of standardized packaging by mature industrial systems and environmental regulations.
Potential of emerging markets: Due to population growth, accelerated urbanization, and industrial development, demand growth in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa regions will be higher than the global average. For example, China’s promotion of high-quality development in the plastic hollow container industry with policy support may become a growth engine.
3、 Application field demand differentiation
In the field of chemical and industrial industries, the demand for high-strength plastic barrels in the transportation of chemical raw materials and dangerous goods is stable, accounting for more than 40% of the total market.
In the field of food and medicine, the demand for food grade plastic barrels has increased due to their lightweight and anti pollution characteristics, and the pharmaceutical industry has expanded its demand for plastic packaging containers that meet GMP standards, promoting the development of the high-end market.
Emerging application scenarios: The demand for customized plastic buckets is increasing in fields such as agricultural irrigation and garbage classification and recycling, especially driven by environmental policies.
4、 Technological innovation and material upgrading
Application of environmentally friendly materials: The research and development of recycled plastics (such as rPET) and biodegradable plastics is accelerating, promoting the transformation of plastic barrels towards low carbonization. For example, the technological breakthrough of recycled plastics in the field of food grade packaging has been commercialized.
Intelligent integration: The introduction of technologies such as smart tags and temperature control sensors enhances the added value of plastic barrels in supply chain management, meeting high-end demands such as pharmaceutical cold chain.
5、 Policy and Environmental Impact
Plastic restriction and recycling requirements: Policies such as the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations mandate an increase in the proportion of recycled materials used, with 90% of disposable plastic containers requiring separate recycling by 2029, forcing companies to adopt environmentally friendly processes.
Cost pressure: Environmental policies increase compliance costs for enterprises, but tax incentives and technology subsidies can alleviate the pressure, such as China providing tax exemptions for green packaging enterprises.
6、 Evolution of Competitive Landscape
Concentration of top enterprises: The top five global manufacturers (BWAY, RPC, etc.) hold a 40% market share and consolidate their advantages through technological barriers and large-scale production.
Regional brand rise: Chinese enterprises represented by Oriental Bucket Industry rely on policy support and localized service capabilities to form differentiated competition in segmented markets.
