The worldwide production of plastics reached ***** million metric tons in 2023. The versatility of this group of materials accounts for the continued growth in production year after year. In tandem with that growth, the market value of plastics also continues to grow. What plastics are and how they are made Plastics are used in a wide variety of products and have displaced other materials – such as wood, metal, and glass – that were previously used for the applications that plastics now dominate. One of the main applications for plastics use is plastic packaging. The production of plastic requires four basic steps: the acquirement of raw material, synthesizing a basic polymer, compounding the polymer into a usable fraction, and lastly, molding or shaping the plastic. Leading plastic producers Asia was the largest plastics producer in the world in 2023. That year, the country accounted for ** percent of global production. Over recent years, China produced an average of approximately **** million metric tons of plastic products each month. The rest of Asia ranks second worldwide in terms of plastic production, with a share of ** percent in 2023.

This dataset shows the increase of global plastic production, measured in tonnes per year, from 1950 through to 2019.In 1950 the world produced only 2 million tonnes per year. Since then, annual production has increased nearly 200-fold, reaching 381 million tonnes in 2015. The short downturn in annual production in 2009 and 2010 was predominantly the result of the 2008 global financial crisis — a similar dent is seen across several metrics of resource production and consumption, including energy.

It is projected that the global production of thermoplastics will amount to 445.25 million metric tons in 2025. Annual production volumes are expected to continue rising in the following decades, rising to approximately 590 million metric tons by 2050. this would be an increase of more than 30 percent compared with 2025. Between 2010 and 2020, the global production of plastics has increased from 270 million metric tons to almost 370 million metric tons.

In 2023, global plastic production reached ***** million metric tons, ** percent of which was produced in China. The Middle East and Africa, China, and the Rest of Asia were the only regions to have recorded an increase in production across the whole period, reaching a global share of *** percent, **** percent, and **** percent respectively.

Plastic has become ubiquitous in human society, with about *** billion metric tons of plastic produced since 1950. Out of this amount, *** billion metric tons have become waste which either sits in landfills or, even worse, the natural environment. Globally, humans have produced more plastic in the last 15 years than they have in the last 50 years. Due to the rise of oil and gas, packaging has become the largest plastic market as it is often cheaper to produce virgin plastics as a petroleum product rather than recycle plastic.

Plastic and the Environment
Plastic is largely tied to the oil industry as it is both cheap and easy to convert oil into plastics, creating single-use plastics or disposable plastics. Petroleum-based plastics are not biodegradable and often get thrown into landfills. It is estimated that plastic water bottles may take up to 450 years to degrade, however, plastics do not biodegrade into natural substances but rather will continuously breakdown into smaller and smaller particles. These particles, microplastics, have been found in the water and food supply as well as in animals and humans.

China accounted for ** percent of global plastic materials production in 2023, making it the world's largest plastic producer by far. The rest of Asia accounted for an additional ** percent while North America held another ** percent share of global plastic production. The total worldwide production of plastics surpassed *** million metric tons in 2023. Plastic: the material to replace many Plastics are used in almost every segment of life – from everyday life to industrial applications. On a global level, plastics have displaced many traditional materials, such as wood, stone, horn and bone, leather, paper, metal, glass, and ceramic. Global plastics use is projected to continue rising over the coming decades to reach more than *** billion metric tons by 2060. China: the plastic leader As the leading manufacturing economy and exporter of goods in the world, it is not surprising that China is the world’s largest producer of plastic as well. China's monthly production of plastics ranges between *** and ** million metric tons.

This dataset shows how global plastics emitted into the oceans breaks down by region. Data retrieved from Global Change Data Lab. Follow datasource.kapsarc.org for timely data to advance energy economics research.

Here we provide a per-country results summary spreadsheet and high resolution global maps of total and mismanaged plastic waste generation as presented in Lebreton and Andrady (2019, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-018-0212-7). LebretonAndrady2019_SummaryDatasheet.xlsxSummary results for the 188 countries investigated in the study. The file contains three tabs for lower, midpoint and higher estimate for plastic waste generation as well as an additional tab for per-country waste statistics and population + GDP forecast used by the predictive model. The highlighted cells in the Country Statistics tab are model predicted values where data was not available.LebretonAndrady2019_TotalPlasticWaste.tifTotal municipal plastic waste generation in kg.y-1 in 2015, computed on a global 30 by 30 arc seconds resolution grid.LebretonAndrady2019_MismanagedPlasticWaste.tifMismanaged Plastic Waste (MPW) generation in kg.y-1 in 2015, computed on a global 30 by 30 arc seconds resolution grid.Updated: -fixed negative waste generation values-removed rounding issues from .tiff file compression

In 2017, the global production of plastics for packaging amounted to 146 million metric tons, thus this was the industrial sector generating the highest plastic demand of any sector. Plastics were also massively produced to supply the building and construction sector, which came in second place for plastic demand that year, at 65 million metric tons worldwide.

The ubiquitous material around the world, plastic, has one common name, but is made up by many different types. Polypropylene, one type of plastic that is often used to create every day products such as plastic straws, yogurt tubs, and hangers, accounted for a ** percent share of the total global production of plastics.

Global Plastic Waste Management market size is expected to reach $50.5 billion by 2029 at 5.8%, segmented as by services, collection, recycling, incineration, landfills

China Production: Plastics data was reported at 85,580.000 Ton th in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 84,580.800 Ton th for 2017. China Production: Plastics data is updated yearly, averaging 1,180.000 Ton th from Dec 1950 (Median) to 2018, with 69 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 85,580.000 Ton th in 2018 and a record low of 1.000 Ton th in 1951. China Production: Plastics data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s China – Table CN.BA: Industrial Production: Annual.

United States AHE: sa: PW: Mfg: Non Durable: Other Plastics Products data was reported at 23.970 USD in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 23.870 USD for Feb 2025. United States AHE: sa: PW: Mfg: Non Durable: Other Plastics Products data is updated monthly, averaging 13.710 USD from Jan 1990 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 423 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.970 USD in Mar 2025 and a record low of 8.600 USD in Jan 1990. United States AHE: sa: PW: Mfg: Non Durable: Other Plastics Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G: Current Employment Statistics: Average Hourly Earnings: Production Workers: Seasonally Adjusted.

Plastic pollution is a global environmental crisis that threatens marine ecosystems and human health. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of plastic pollution in oceans worldwide. We examined data on global plastic production, annual estimates of plastic emissions to oceans from different countries, surface plastic mass by ocean basin, the share of global plastic waste emitted to the ocean, the share of ocean plastics that come from the largest emitting rivers, microplastics in the surface ocean, and plastic mass and particles across the world surface ocean. Our analysis revealed alarming trends, such as the significant increase in plastic production since the 1950s and the projected estimate of up to 12,000 million metric tons of plastic waste in the natural environment by 2050. Additionally, we found that more than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global annual emissions, with Asia contributing the highest estimate of plastic emissions, followed by Africa, South America, North America, Europe, and Oceania. Furthermore, our findings showed that the largest contributors to ocean plastic waste are macroplastics, mesoplastics, and microplastics, with small microplastics dominating the percentage of surface ocean plastic by particle count. The recycling and reuse of waste plastics implement the concept of sustainable development of recycling and offsets the carbon emissions in the environment, potentially obtaining more carbon credits. Our findings highlight the urgent need for coordinated global efforts to reduce plastic waste and prevent further harm to our oceans, incorporating recycling and reuse strategies as key components of comprehensive control measures.

Analysis of ‘Global Plastic Pollution’ provided by Analyst-2 (analyst-2.ai), based on source dataset retrieved from https://www.kaggle.com/sohamgade/plastic-datasets on 12 November 2021.

--- Dataset description provided by original source is as follows ---

Context

More and more plastic is being generated every year and more of which is getting dumped into the ocean or is mishandled.

The focus of this study was to understand how much plastic a country produces over a year's period and how much of that plastic is mismanaged.

Content

Datasets contains: - Global plastic production from year 1950 to 2015. - Along with this, it contains waste generated per person (per day/kg) & mismanaged waste per person (per day/kg) for the year 2010.

Acknowledgements

This dataset was gathered from Our World in Data from their article Plastic Pollution.

Inspiration

When are we going to be aware of the amount of plastic that we use?

--- Original source retains full ownership of the source dataset ---

Since 1950 and for nearly six decades, fossil fuel-based plastics have accounted for the large majority, if not all of global plastics production, amounting to a cumulative *** million metric tons in 2023. Bio-based plastics accounted for a significantly lower share of plastic production at that time, reaching only *****million metric tons in the same year.

Employment statistics on the Global Plastic Product & Packaging Manufacturing industry in Global

Snapshot img

Plastic Market Size 2025-2029

The plastic market size is forecast to increase by USD 190.6 billion, at a CAGR of 5.5% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is driven by the expanding manufacturing capacity and the rising popularity of recycled plastics. The increasing demand for plastic products, particularly in industries such as packaging and construction, necessitates the expansion of manufacturing capacity. This trend is further fueled by the growing preference for recycled plastics, which not only reduces the environmental impact but also offers cost savings. However, the market faces significant challenges, including stringent regulations over the usage of plastics. Governments and regulatory bodies are imposing increasingly strict rules on the production, consumption, and disposal of plastic products to mitigate the environmental concerns.
Companies must navigate these regulations effectively to ensure compliance and maintain their market position. Additionally, the challenge of ensuring the quality and consistency of recycled plastics remains a significant obstacle, requiring continued innovation and investment in technology and processes. To capitalize on opportunities and navigate challenges, companies must stay informed of regulatory developments, invest in sustainable production processes, and prioritize research and development to improve the quality and versatility of recycled plastics.

What will be the Size of the Plastic Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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The market continues to evolve, with dynamic trends shaping its various applications across sectors. Plastic pellets and films are key components in the production of containers, pipes, and packaging. The plastic industry trends extend to engineering applications, such as automotive parts and medical devices, where plastic's lightweight and durable properties are crucial. Plastic processing techniques, including rotational molding, injection molding, and blow molding, are continually refined to enhance efficiency and reduce waste. Flame retardants and additives, like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polyvinyl chloride, play essential roles in ensuring product safety and performance. The circular economy is gaining traction, with plastic recycling and waste management becoming increasingly important.

Consumer goods and food packaging industries are embracing recycled plastic and compostable plastics to reduce environmental impact. Plastic standards and certification ensure product quality and safety, while plastic testing and innovation drive technological advancements. Plastic resins, sheets, foams, and granules are integral to various industries, from building materials to consumer electronics. The plastic supply chain remains intricate, with ongoing efforts to optimize logistics and reduce transportation emissions. Plastic pollution remains a pressing issue, with efforts to mitigate its environmental impact through stricter regulations and consumer awareness campaigns. Plastic bags are being phased out in favor of reusable alternatives, and plastic bottles are being redesigned for easier recycling. Plastic design and manufacturing technologies continue to advance, with a focus on sustainability and circular economy principles. Polyethylene terephthalate and other plastic types are being reimagined for new applications, driving growth in the market.

How is this Plastic Industry segmented?

The plastic industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Technique

  Injection molding
  Blow molding
  Roto molding
  Casting
  Others


Application

  Packaging
  Consumer goods
  Automotive
  Electrical and electronics
  Others


Product Type

  Polyethylene (PE)
  Polypropylene (PP)
  Polyurethane (PU)
  Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
  Others


End-use Industry

  Consumer Goods
  Industrial
  Healthcare
  Transportation


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    Egypt
    KSA
    Oman
    UAE


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan


  South America

    Argentina
    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Technique Insights

The injection molding segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Plastic injection molding is a versatile technique in plastic processing, widely used for manufacturing various parts and consumer goods. This method's popularity stems from its numerous advantages, including ease, reliability, and efficiency. Low-density polyethylene, a commonly used material in injectio

BCC Research market report on Global Plastic Packaging Market size, share, Trends, and growth forecast. Get complete plastic packaging industry analysis report.

China Production Capacity: Plastic in Primary Form (Synthetic Resin) data was reported at 99,246.000 Ton th in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 99,273.300 Ton th for 2016. China Production Capacity: Plastic in Primary Form (Synthetic Resin) data is updated yearly, averaging 8,931.000 Ton th from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99,273.300 Ton th in 2016 and a record low of 3,401.500 Ton th in 1990. China Production Capacity: Plastic in Primary Form (Synthetic Resin) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BA: Production Capacity.