The plastic and rubber industries comprise the establishments that manufacture goods by processing plastic and rubber raw materials. The industry has had global success mainly due to the enormous growth rate of polymer consumption, from raw materials to end-user products. Polymer materials are now widely used across industries such as automotive, packaging, construction, and healthcare.
While plastics and rubber play a fundamental role in modern society, it is essential to develop a more circular approach to their use in the future due to the growing concerns around plastic waste. Moreover, the incredible versatility and diversity of plastics, from food packaging applications to underground wind turbines, make recycling and recovery very challenging and expensive. While many plastics are cost-effective, the value of recovered plastics is often meager.
Distribution of global plastic materials production in 2022, by region
Further details: Visit original statistic Distribution of global plastic materials production in 2022, by region
In 2022, China produced 32 percent of the world's plastic materials, making it the world’s largest plastic producer. Other Asian countries, excluding China and Japan, followed with almost 20 percent of global production. The use of plastics has become widespread across various sectors, replacing traditional materials. In fact, it is projected that the demand for plastics will continue to rise significantly in the coming decades, reaching over 1.2 billion metric tons by 2060.
Global plastics industryProjected market size of rigid plastic packaging worldwide from 2023 to 2028 (in billion U.S. dollars)
Further details: Visit original statistic Projected market size of rigid plastic packaging worldwide from 2023 to 2028 (in billion U.S. dollars)
Plastic has had a significant impact on the global economy, enabling the manufacture of a diverse range of goods and transforming the way they are packaged and sold. The market for rigid plastic packaging has experienced substantial growth recently, reaching a value of 247.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Despite the potential benefits of the global rigid plastic packaging market, its widespread use has led to several negative impacts, including environmental pollution and health risks.
Global plastic consumption by segmentProduction capacity of bioplastics worldwide in 2022, with forecast figures for 2023 to 2028, by type (in 1,000 metric tons)
Further details: Visit original statistic Production capacity of bioplastics worldwide in 2022, with forecast figures for 2023 to 2028, by type (in 1,000 metric tons)
The global production of bioplastics is continuously increasing and has market leverage over plastics based on petrochemicals. With bans on single-use plastics increasing around the world, new investments in biodegradables are expected. Manufacturers are also investing in automation technologies to reduce production costs and enhance quality. With more robust and durable polymers, there is a rising demand, especially in the construction and automotive industries, to replace metal components.
Production capacity of bioplastics by market segment2024 ranking of the global leading chemical companies based on revenue (in billion U.S. dollars)
Further details: Visit original statistic 2024 ranking of the global leading chemical companies based on revenue (in billion U.S. dollars)
The plastic and rubber industry has been highly innovative in developing solutions that cater to society's evolving demands. Dow, one of the largest plastic manufacturers globally, is a significant supplier of polyethylene (PE) resin. The global polymer market has several major players, including BASF, LyondellBasell, and ExxonMobil. These companies generate billions of dollars in revenue, with BASF leading the pack in 2023, followed by Dow, LyondellBasell, and LG Chem.
BASF
The plastic and rubber category presents statistics and reports on the plastic and rubber industry, including specialized information on the various types of plastic, as well as both synthetic and natural rubber. Within this sector, Statista provides data on the key figures, including product manufacturing, consumption, sales, and trade of polymer components on a global, regional, and local scale.
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