Single use plastics in the context of this study refer to the most commonly found items in beach litter that are widely used at the consumer level, as reported by the European Commission. The wider scope of this study encompasses plastic retail packaging in both flexible and rigid packaging formats which in some cases overlap with the EC’s segmentation. In this instance, the application will be absorbed into the wider segment and will be further sub-segmented. The polymers covered will be determined by the application. Fishing gear is excluded from the analysis.
Application and format scope
For the purpose of this study, the market will be segmented into these major applications:
- Plastic disposables:
- Trays
- Cups/lids
- Clamshells
- Retail packaging
- Rigid plastic packaging
- Bottles & Closures
- Thin wall containers
- Flexible plastic packaging
- Other single use items (affected by SUP Directive)
Within rigid retail packaging application, AMI Consulting will analyse the demand from the angle of packaging size. To this end, a further format segmentation will be provided:
- Single portion (single use) formats
- Multi portion (multi use) formats, encompassing multipacks and family-size formats.
Material scope
The demand for packaging application above will be segmented into the relevant polymers currently used in the packaging industry:
- PP
- PE
- PET
- PS
- PVC
- Bio-resins
- Other relevant
The report will contextualise other non-polymeric materials impacting the demand for plastics. The report will provide detailed analysis of opportunities where recyclate and bio-resins will gain traction in the future.
Reporting basis
The report provides data in tonnes on the following years:
- Past: 2013
- Present: 2018, 2019e
- Future: 2023