The market size of plastic pail is estimated to be worth USD 1,256.3 million in 2025 and is anticipated to reach a value of USD 1,892.2 million by 2035. Sales are projected to rise at a CAGR of 4.2% over the forecast period between 2025 and 2035. The revenue generated by plastic pail in 2024 was USD 1,211.0 million.
Plastic pail has very high usage in the paints & coatings industry. Paints will capture over 34.7% of the plastic pail market by 2035. It is ideal for storing paints. These pails help to prevent spoilage and contamination. Their lightweight, durable and cost-effective properties help in transporting paints therefore it is a preferred option for consumers as well as manufacturers.
Plastic pail Industry Forecast
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2024 | USD 1,211.0 million |
| Estimated Size, 2025 | USD 1,256.3 million |
| Projected Size, 2035 | USD 1,892.2 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 4.2% |
In the material segment, plastic pail solutions with a polyethylene material are likely to account for over 65.4% of the market share over the forecast period. It's lightweight, extremely strong, resistant to chemicals, and has very good flexibility, helping prevent cracking and breaking during handling and transportation. Due to this versatility of moldability in polyethylene to give a variety of shapes and sizes therefore pail manufacturers have a chance to design unique shape pails. And stand out in the market effectively.
The market of plastic pail will grow with profitable prospects in the forecast period, as it is expected to offer an incremental opportunity of USD 681.2 million and will increase 1.6 times the existing value by 2035.
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The below table presents the expected CAGR for the global plastic pails market over several semi-annual periods spanning from 2025 to 2035.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 4.0% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 4.4% (2024 to 2034) |
| H1 | 3.2% (2025 to 2035) |
| H2 | 5.2% (2025 to 2035) |
In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2024 to 2033, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 4.0%, followed by a slightly higher growth rate of 4.4% in the second half (H2) of the same decade. Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2025 to H2 2035, the CAGR is projected to decrease slightly to 3.2% in the first half and remain relatively moderate at 5.2% in the second half. In the first half (H1) the market witnessed a decrease of 80 BPS while in the second half (H2), the market witnessed an increase of 80 BPS.
Durability and Versatility Accelerate the Market Growth
Major consumers require durable and cost-effective solutions for the widely varying packaging requirements, which plastic pails majorly fulfil. The type of pails has considerably developed in terms of offering different features such as handles, and open-top and closed-top catering not only for consumer-related requirements but also for industrial purposes. Therefore, their sturdy construction can provide proper survivability against very stringent conditions of storage or handling thus, widely applied for storing various products, like food products, paints and chemical substances. Additionally, plastic pails are inexpensive and, hence, enable the manufacturers to reduce their packaging costs without sacrificing quality. Lightweight is another significant advantage of plastic pails. This is an important factor for the end-use industries when choosing packaging materials.
Demand for Plastic Pails for Storage of Large Volume Goods across Several Industries
Rising demand for packaging products in the food and beverages industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the agriculture sector, and chemicals is boosting plastic pails at a high scale. In the food and beverage sector, usage of plastic pails has been preferred since it is light in weight and durable and keeps moisture out due to its adequacy in holding bulk items, such as sauces, dairy products, and grains. Plastic pails in the pharmaceutical industry are used for packaging medications and supplements, which give a safe and hygienic solution that protects contents from contamination. In agriculture, they play an important role in holding fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds so that the materials are stored safely and available for use when needed. Additional demands for plastic pails come from the chemical industry since they are also resistant to some harsh substances, and leakage, and thus are one of the ideal packaging options for different chemicals. As industries develop their packaging options to be effective and safe, but also sustainable therefore the demand for plastic pails will increase.
Sustainability Issues about Plastic May Impede Demand of Plastic Pails
Nowadays consumers and businesses will drive alternatives for greener packaging instead of the conventional plastic pails. In most countries, very stringent regulations on plastic usage are applied to ensure more biodegradable or recyclable materials. This is because plastic waste has been one of the primary sources of pollution that harm wildlife and ecosystems. Manufacturers adapt to the emerging demand as they innovate and present sustainable packaging. This change may reduce the use of plastic pails since organizations and consumers want products that meet their expectations of sustainability and environmental responsibility. This might result in reduced dependency on plastic buckets as the market adjusts to consumer's preference for a greener product.
The global plastic pail market recorded a CAGR of 3% during the historical period between 2020 and 2024. Market growth of plastic pail was positive as it reached a value of USD 1,211 million in 2024 from USD 1,058 million in 2020.
The plastic pail market was witnessing steady growth between 2020 and 2024 due to the continuously increasing consumer demand for safe and leak-proof packaging solutions. Also, plastic pails are generally less expensive than metal alternatives and thus are widely used by companies looking to minimize packaging costs. Their lightweight also makes transportation cheaper, thus increasing their use.
In the assessment period, global demand for plastic pails is expected to grow strongly. The drivers for this are mainly increasing demand across various industries, technological advancement during the manufacturing process and rising e-commerce growth.
Tier 1 companies comprise market leaders with significant market share in global market. These market leaders are characterized by high production capacity and a wide product portfolio. These market leaders are distinguished by their extensive expertise in manufacturing across multiple packaging formats and a broad geographical reach, underpinned by a robust consumer base. They provide a wide range of series including recycling and manufacturing utilizing the latest technology and meeting the regulatory standards providing the highest quality. Prominent companies within tier 1 include Time Technoplast Ltd., Greif Inc., Mauser Group N.V., ExxonMobil among others.
Tier 2 companies include mid-size players having presence in specific regions and highly influencing the local market. These are characterized by a strong presence overseas and strong market knowledge. These market players have good technology and ensure regulatory compliance but may not have advanced technology and wide global reach. Prominent companies in tier 2 include Berry Global, Inc., FDL Packaging Group, Great Western Containers Inc., NCI Packaging, Rieke Corporation, M&M Industries, Inc., Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd, C.L. Smith, Emballator, Cary Company, H&O Plastics, P. Wilkinson Containers, and Parekhplast.
Tier 3 includes the majority of small-scale companies operating at the local presence and serving niche markets. These companies are notably oriented towards fulfilling local market demands and are consequently classified within the tier 3 share segment. They are small-scale players and have limited geographical reach. Tier 3, within this context, is recognized as an unorganized market, denoting a sector characterized by a lack of extensive structure and formalization when compared to organized competitors.
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The section below covers the future forecast for the plastic pail market in terms of countries. Information on key countries in several parts of the globe, including North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia and Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and MEA is provided. The U.S. is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% through 2035.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| United States | 3.2% |
| Canada | 3.8% |
| China | 5.9% |
| Japan | 4.3% |
| India | 5.3% |
| Indonesia | 4.8% |
The more popular e-commerce becomes in the Canada, the greater the demand for plastic pails since plastic pails are used to package a wide variety of products. Plastic pails can be very helpful when shipping large quantities of chemicals, food, and cleaning supplies. As greater dependence is made on online retailers for purchases, firms need practical and reliable packaging solutions. A pet food manufacturer may use plastic pails for the packaging and direct shipment of bulk quantities to consumers. A cleaning supply house may use plastic pails when shipping large detergent bottles to consumers purchasing through an e-commerce model. Increased demand for shipping directly to the consumer will drive growth for plastic pail use.
The rise in demand for agricultural chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers pushes the usage of plastic pails as an essential packaging solution. However, as farmers adopt the new pest management chemicals agricultural producers apply them more into crop production. Hence the need for carrying or transporting all these materials in durable, lightweight, and moisture-resistant containers becomes more necessary. Thus, plastic pails are utilized on a large scale as they can safely store various forms of agricultural products together with easy handling and application convenience. The other reason that increases the demand is that the U.S. agriculture and agribusiness industry is vast in terms of scope and encompasses various kinds of crops and farming. With changing agriculture and the requirement for several pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides, plastic pails have become an essential component of the supply chain to store and transport these pesticides and fertilizers.
The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry. In terms of product type, closed top/head is estimated to account for a share of 73.7% by 2035. By capacity formats, 5 to 10-litre plastic pails are projected to dominate by holding a share of 33.7% by the end 2035.
| Product Type | Close Top / Head |
|---|---|
| Market Share (2035) | 73.7% |
A closed top or head plastic pails have a sealed, tight lid to prevent contamination and spillage of the stored contents so they are suitable for storing or transporting products. These may include products from the food, chemicals or agricultural sector. Furthermore, they even ensure that these products remain intact and safe. Many industries use this, such as food and pharma segments, where hygiene and quality matter. Close-top plastic pails are usually stackable, thus maximizing space for storage and improving the efficacy of transportation and logistics. As more industries focus on convenience and safety, close-top plastic pails will dominate compared to other products in the assessment period.
| Capacity | 5 to 10-litre |
|---|---|
| Market Share (2035) | 33.7% |
5 to 10-litre plastic pails offer an ideal balance of size and usability, thus applicable in many areas for a variety of purposes in different industries, such as food and beverages, chemicals, agriculture, and personal care. Their size makes them easy to handle and transport, which is especially helpful for both consumers and businesses. For instance, these pails in the food sector are used for packaging sauce, dairy products, and bulk ingredients to ensure that the freshness and safety of the products are conserved. In the agricultural sector, they use them for fertilizers and pesticides to enable the farmers to gain an easy packaging solution that has efficiency and safety for their product.
Key players of plastic pail packaging industry are developing and launching new products in the market. They are integrating with different firms and extending their geographical presence. Few of them are also collaborating and partnering with local brands and start-up companies for new product development.
Key Developments in Plastic Pails Market:
In terms of product type, the market of plastic pail is divided into open top/head and close top/head.
In terms of material, the market of plastic pail is segmented into PE, PP, PET, PCR, plastic, others.
The market of plastic pail includes up to 3 liters, 3 to 5 liters, 5 to 10 liters, 10 to 20 liters, above 20 liters.
Some of end users in the plastic pail market include paints & coatings packaging, chemicals packaging, petroleum & lubricants packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, food & beverage ingredients packaging, building & construction.
Key countries of North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia and Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa are covered.
The plastic pail industry is projected to witness CAGR of 4.2% between 2025 and 2035.
The global plastic pail industry stood at USD 1,211 million in 2024.
Global plastic pail industry is anticipated to reach USD 1892.2 million by 2035 end.
South Asia & Pacific is set to record a CAGR of 5.3% in assessment period.
The key players operating in the plastic pail industry are include Time Technoplast Ltd., Greif Inc., Mauser Group N.V., ExxonMobil among others.
| Estimated Size, 2025 | USD 27.1 billion |
| Projected Size, 2035 | USD 46.3 billion |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 5.5% |
| Market Estimated Size in 2024 | USD 12.9 billion |
|---|---|
| Projected Market Size in 2034 | USD 20.4 billion |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 5.1% |
| Market Size (2023) | USD 133.58 billion |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2033) | USD 197.52 billion |
| Market CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 4% |
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Plastic Pails Market
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