In 2025, the plastic bag industry is experiencing significant transformations under the influence of various factors such as environmental protection concerns, technological advancements, and changing consumer demands. These trends are reshaping the future of plastic bags, making them more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The first prominent trend is the growing popularity of biodegradable plastic bags. With the global focus on environmental protection and sustainable development, the market demand for biodegradable plastic bags is on the rise. Biodegradable plastic bags, also known as degradable plastic bags, can decompose into low - molecular - weight compounds in the natural environment through the action of organisms or light, causing no harm to the environment. Usually, specific additives like starch, modified starch, cellulose, photosensitizers, and biodegradants are added during the production process to reduce their stability and facilitate degradation in the natural environment.
The market demand for biodegradable plastic bags is driven by multiple factors. Firstly, the increasing awareness of environmental protection among consumers has led to a preference for eco - friendly products. People are more conscious of the harm caused by traditional plastic bags to the environment and are willing to choose biodegradable alternatives. Secondly, the intensification of traditional plastic pollution problems has attracted widespread attention from governments and society. To address this issue, many countries and regions have introduced relevant policies and regulations to restrict the use of non - biodegradable plastic bags. For example, in the express packaging industry, with the rapid development of the e - commerce economy, the volume of express delivery has increased significantly, resulting in a large consumption of express packaging materials. Governments have issued a series of policies to restrict the use of non - biodegradable plastics in express packaging, promoting the wide application of biodegradable plastic bags in the express industry. In the field of disposable tableware, the booming development of the food delivery industry has led to a sharp increase in the demand for disposable tableware. Biodegradable plastic bags, as an environmentally friendly alternative, have broad market prospects in the food delivery field. In addition, the "plastic restriction order" gradually implemented by the government in supermarkets and other retail places restricts the use of non - biodegradable plastic bags, prompting retail enterprises to turn to biodegradable plastic bags to meet consumers' environmental protection needs. In the agricultural field, agricultural mulch is an indispensable material for agricultural production, but traditional mulch is difficult to degrade and causes pollution to the soil and crops. The emergence of biodegradable mulch provides an effective solution to this problem.
It is estimated that by 2025, the global market for biodegradable plastic bags will show a significant growth trend. According to data, the global market size of biodegradable plastic bags is constantly expanding and is expected to reach billion by 2025. As the world's largest producer and consumer of plastic products, China's biodegradable plastic bag market also shows strong growth potential. According to the survey and statistics of the China Materials Recycling Association, it is expected that by 2025, the demand for biodegradable plastics in China is expected to reach 2.6 million tons, and the market size is expected to exceed 50 billion yuan.
Another trend is the increasing focus on plastic recycling. From the 1950s to 2015, global plastic production increased by more than 200 times. The large amount of plastic waste has brought serious environmental problems. Currently, less than 9% of the world's plastic waste is recycled, but this situation is changing rapidly. The European Commission has adopted a strategy for plastics, aiming to significantly improve the capacity for plastic recycling, with a target of recycling 55% of the EU's total plastic waste by 2025. Global consultant Deloitte estimates that an investment of between €4.1 and €6.5 billion is required to achieve this goal. The push for plastic packaging recycling is supported by some of the biggest names in the industry. For example, the "ultra - pure polypropylene" (uprp) commercialized by the US firm PureCycle is an innovation from the research labs of FMCG giant P&G. PureCycle aims to achieve a production capacity of 450,000 tons of uprp in its two flagship plants by 2025.
Many companies are also actively promoting the use of recycled plastic in plastic bags. For instance, the bottled water brand Danone partnered with Loop Industries to create a new Evian bottle made entirely of recycled plastic in 2022. Industry titan Unilever has filed a patent for a premium beauty packaging product made from PCR (post - consumer resin). The global market for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7%, reaching .4 billion by 2028, with 67% of manufacturers expected to make the switch. The shift from virgin PET to rPET can reduce energy consumption by an estimated 79%.
In addition, more and more companies are setting goals for the use of recycled materials in plastic packaging. Brands and retailers that have made the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment have reduced the use of virgin plastics in packaging for two consecutive years. Packaging consumer goods and retail companies that have signed the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment have also promised that by 2025, the average proportion of recycled materials in their plastic packaging will reach 25%, about 10 times the current global average valuation level. Some companies have set even higher targets for the proportion of recycled materials.
The success of the application of recyclable plastic bags depends on cooperation with suitable recyclable packaging suppliers. Only by working together can the industry achieve a higher level of recycling and sustainable development.
In conclusion, in 2025, the plastic bag industry is moving towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly direction. The development of biodegradable plastic bags and the promotion of plastic recycling are the main trends in the industry. With the continuous advancement of environmental protection policies, technological innovation, and the improvement of consumers' environmental awareness, the plastic bag industry will usher in a broader development prospect. However, there are still challenges to be overcome, such as high production costs and the improvement of recycling infrastructure. It requires the joint efforts of the government, enterprises, and society to promote the healthy development of the plastic bag industry.
