Plastic Drums Market Size – By Material, By Capacity, By Head Type, and By End Use industry – Global Forecast, 2025 – 2034

Plastic Drums Market Size

The global plastic drums market was valued at USD 4.5 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% to reach USD 6.5 billion by 2034. The growth of the market is attributed to factors such as the rising demand from chemical industry along with the rapid expansion of food and beverage industry.
 

The rising demand from chemical industry is a major growth driver for the plastics drums market. Chemical manufacturing industries such petrochemicals, fertilizer and specialty chemicals require container to ensure safe storage and transportation of hazardous and non-hazardous materials. Plastic drums made from high density polyethylene (HDPE) provides durable, chemical resistance, and leak proof designs, making them ideal for handling corrosive materials For instance, according to IBEF, the chemical industry in India was valued at USD 220 billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass USD 300 billion by 2030 and USD 1 trillion by 2040. This growth of chemical industry pushes the demand for lightweight & cost-effective containers, which further pushes the growth of plastics drums market.
 

Plastic drums manufacturers need to emphasize the production of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) drums with improved chemical resistance and leak-proof construction to meet the increasing chemical industry. With increasing demand for safe transportation and storage of hazardous materials, maximizing durability and cost-effectiveness will be essential to market growth.
 

The rapid expansion of food & beverage industry is another key growth driver for the plastic drums market.  Manufacturers are increasingly emphasizing on the adoption of food grade plastics containers for handling edible oil, syrups, juices, and other liquids in large quantities and to ensure product’s safety and integrity while complying with regulatory requirements. These plastics drums offers lightweight and durable designs, which helps in shipment cost reduction and provide stickability to optimize storage during warehousing and transportation. With the increase in consumption of food and beverages along with the shift in consumption patterns, there is an increasing demand for safe, efficient, & bulk storage and transportation, which further propels the growth of the plastics drums market.
 

Plastic drums producers must concentrate on developing food-grade plastic drums specifically designed for the safe storage and transportation of edible oils, syrups, and drinks. Lightweight, strong, and stackable designs will minimize shipping expenses and maximize warehouse efficiency. Compliance with food safety standards will also be critical to addressing the increasing demand fueled by changing consumption trends in the food and beverage sector.
 

Plastic Drums Market Trends

• A significant trend in the plastics drums market is the integration of IoT technology like RFID tags or GPS tracking system into plastic drums. These advanced IoT enabled sensors allows real time tracking of temperature, humidity, and location and are gaining rapid traction across several industries, especially in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
   
• The development of tamper evident and secure closure seal for plastics drums packaging is another trend in the market. The usage of tamper evident and secure closure seal is gaining rapid traction for storage and transportation of high value or hazardous goods, due to their enhanced seal mechanism for safety and integrity.  
   
• The increasing adoption of the plastics drums for waste management is another significant trend in the market. Businesses are rapidly adopting plastic drums for waste management due to their durability and ability to handle hazardous materials, supporting efficient waste management and recycling processes.
   

Plastic Drums Market Analysis

The plastic drums industry based on the head type is categorized as open head and tight head.
 

• The tight head segment is the largest market and was valued at USD 2.5 billion in the year 2024. These drums have closed head drums and sealed lids with small opening, which make them an ideal solution for storage and transportation of hazardous liquids, oils, and solvents. The growth of these drums is attributed to the rapid expansion of global supply chain, which require durable and tamper proof protection for long distance transportation. Moreover, the increasing regulations from DOT, UN, and FDA for handling hazardous chemicals, flammable liquids, and industrial oils is pushing the growth of tight head drums, ensuring leak proof and impact resistant storage.
   
• The open head segment is the fastest growing market and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. These drums have removable lids, and their wide mouth design make them preferable for storing and transporting solids, and semi solids, and thick liquids such as chemicals, food products, pharmaceutical and hazardous waste. Also, these drums are gaining rapid traction for bulk packaging in pharmaceuticals and healthcare industries for secure handling and contamination prevention. Additionally, the increasing demand for safe and UN certified storage for hazardous and industrial waste disposal further pushes the adoption of open head drums while complying with regulations.

The plastic drums market based on the end-use industry is bifurcated into chemicals & petrochemicals, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, paintings & coatings, and others.
 

• The chemical & petrochemical industry is the largest market and was valued at USD 1.8 billion in 2024. The growth in this industry is driven by the increasing demand for safe storage and transportation of hazardous & non-hazardous liquids, solvents, and industrial chemicals. The rapid expansion of petroleum, refining, and lubricant industry requires secure and leak proof storage for oil, fuels and solvents, which further pushes the demand for tight head plastic drums. Additionally, several government agencies such as EPA, UN, and OSHA mandate secure and leak proof packaging for hazardous and flammable chemicals, which support the growth of plastics drums in this industry.
   
• The food & beverage industry is the fastest growing market and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period. The rise in demand for ready to eat and processed food has led to an increase in demand for safe and tamper proof bulk storage solutions. Moreover, the shift in consumer preference for sustainable food packaging along with increasing government regulations is driving the adoption of reusable and recyclable HPDE plastic drums to reduce environmental impact. Also, food & beverage manufacturers and dairy producers require hygienic and airtight plastic drums for storing large volume of products such as liquid sweeteners, syrup, and edible oils.
   

The plastic drums market based on the material is categorized as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and others.
 

• The polyethylene (PE) material is the largest market and was valued at USD 2.5 billion in 2024. These material offers superior durability, flexibility, and affordability, which makes them highly preferable material for wide range of industries. These polyethylene plastic drums are gaining rapid adoption in chemical industry for solvent, lubricant, and hazard liquid storage, due to their superior chemical resistance. Additionally, these plastic drums ensure longer shelf life and minimal maintenance cost due to their UV resistant and corrosion proof ability.
   
• The polypropylene (PP) material is projected to grow with a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period. These materials are widely used for industrial & hazardous material storage, due to its high strength and chemical resistant properties. Manufacturers are increasingly adopting these plastic drums for storing hot liquid & heat sensitive substance, as these materials have the ability to withstand high temperature without deformation. Furthermore, the surge in demand for fertilizer, pesticides, and agrochemicals has led to increased adoption of these PP plastic drums, due to their corrosion resistant and durability.
   

The plastic drums market based on the capacity is divided into below 35 gallons, 35 – 60 gallons, 60-80 gallons, and above 80 gallons.
 

• The 35- 60 gallon segment is the largest market and was valued at USD 1.7 billion in 2024. The growth of this segment is attributed to the rapid expansion of automotive and industrial machine sectors, which require these mid sized drums for storage and transportation of lubricants, oils, and greases. These 35 – 60 gallon drums are widely used in food & beverage industry for storing edible oils, syrups, and beverage concentrates while ensuring hygiene and ease of handling. Additionally, several manufacturers prefer these mid sized plastic drums due to their balance between cost efficiency and storage capacity, which further supports the growth of these segments.
   
• The above 80 gallon segment is projected to grow with a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period. The increasing demand for waste management and recycling is pushing the adoption of these large plastic drums among municipal and industrial waste collection services for waste segregation and hazard waste disposal. Also, the rise in demand for bulk chemical storage and transportation is driving growth of these containers as cost effective storage and transportation solutions. Moreover, several residential and commercial users are pushing the demand for above 80 gallon plastic drums for water storage, agriculture, and irrigation purpose.  

The North American region accounted for 28.1% of the global plastic drums market share in the year 2024.  The surge in production and export from chemicals & pharmaceutical industry along with the advancement in the drums manufacturing technology are some of the main drivers in North America. Governmental polices promoting safe handling of hazardous materials and the increasing emphasis on recyclable packaging is promoting the adoption of innovative plastics drums in the region.
 

• The U.S. dominated the plastic drums market, accounting for USD 1.1 billion in the year 2024. The rapid expansion of chemical manufacturing industries and the increasing demand of bulk storage and safe transportation is driving the adoption of plastics drums in the region. For instance, according to a report by ITA, the revenue generated by the export from chemical industry in the U.S. accounted for USD 494 billion in 2022 and contributed over 13% of the global chemical.  Leading companies in this area have started to endorse lightweight designs, recycled HDPE materials and tamper evident plastic drums to comply with regulatory requirements and ensure industrial demand, which supports the growth for market.
   
• The Canada plastic drums market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 2.3% during the forecast period. Government approach towards the wastage reduction is expected to push the adoption of recyclable and high-capacity plastics drums, which is expected to support the market growth. Moreover, the surge in demand for bulk agriculture storage such as fertilizers and grains require stackable and reusable drums designs, further propels the demand for market in the region.
   

The Europe region held 24.2% of the global plastic drums market share in the year 2024. The growth of Europe’s market is attributed to the increasing demand from several industries such as chemicals, petrochemicals, and food & beverages for bulk storage and transportation coupled with an increase in demand for lightweight, durable, and cost efficiency packaging. 
 

• The Germany plastic drums market accounted for USD 300 million in the year 2024. Germany has a robust chemical and pharmaceutical sectors which requires safe and durable packaging, pushing the demand for high quality and reusable plastic drums.  Furthermore, the strict EU regulations for hazardous material storage and sustainable packaging is pushing the adoption of recyclable and reusable plastic drums solution, supporting the growth of market in the region.
   
• The UK plastic drums market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 3.2% during the forecast period. The rapid expansion of pharmaceutical and food & beverage industry is a major growth driver for the market. Moreover, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies are compelling businesses to adopt recyclable material and multi-use plastic drums to meet regulatory requirements and consumer expectations, which supports the growth of market.
   
• The France industry is projected to reach USD 203.6 million by 2034. The plastic drums market in France is heavily influenced by the surge in packaging need for food and beverage sector, particularly in premium and organic products. Moreover, the increasing demand for high performance and light weight storage solution for bulk transportation is driving significant growth of the market.
   
• The Italy industry accounted for USD 130.5 million in 2024. The growth of plastic drums market in Italy is supported by the country’s emphasis on plastic wastage reduction and circular economy initiatives, which pushes the demand for reusable and recyclable plastic drums. Moreover, the expansion of agriculture and chemical industries has led to an increase in demand for efficient and durable plastic drums, which is contributing to growth of market.
   
• The Spain plastic drums market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 2.1% during the forecast period. The Spain market is growing due to surge in export within agriculture, which demands reliable and cost-effective bulk storage solution. Moreover, the government regulations for ban on the single usage plastic is further pushing the adoption of sustainable and high capacity plastic drums, supporting the growth of market in the region.
   

Asia Pacific region held 37.1% of the global plastic drums market share in 2024. The Asia Pacific region, headed by China, Japan, and South Korea due to their robust industrial and chemical production capabilities, is the largest market for plastic drums. Rapid regional growth is being supported by rapid industrialization, rising demand for chemical and pharmaceutical storage, and strict safety regulations for hazardous materials.
 

• The Japan plastic drums market accounted for USD 245.7 billion in 2024. The growing industry of chemicals and pharmaceuticals in Japan demands secure and reliable plastic drums for safe storage and transportation. Also, the increasing exports in food industry such as seafood, soybeans, and processed food have surged the demand for food grade plastic drums, that ensure to meet international hygienic standards.
   
• The China plastic drums market is projected to reach USD 1.1 billion by 2034. Stringent government regulations for industrial safety and hazardous waste management are the key growth driver in the country. Moreover, the growing demand for chemical and lubricant storage requires advanced plastic drums solution such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and compostable drums for secure and efficient handling, which pushes the demand for the market.
   
• The India plastic drums market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 6.1% during the forecast period. The rising demand for industrial packaging across several industry such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture is pushing the demand for plastic drums. Additionally, the surge in demand for cost efficient and reusable storage coupled with the increasing government initiatives towards sustainable packaging is driving the adoption of sustainable plastic drums, further contributing to the market growth.
   

The Latin America region held 6.2% of the global plastic drums market share in 2024. The market in Latin America is fueled by increasing agricultural and chemical exports coupled with development of infrastructure, which pushes the demand for industrial storage solutions for paints, coatings, and other construction materials.
 

The MEA region held 4.4% of the global plastic drums market share in 2024. The industry in the Middle East & Africa is growing due to increasing demand for bulk storage from several industries such as oil & gas, chemicals, and agriculture. Additionally, strict governmental regulations for handling hazardous material coupled with the improving supply chain efficiency are pushing the growth of market in the region.
 

Plastic Drums Market Share

The plastic drums industry is highly competitive and fragmented with the presence of well-established global players as well as local players and startups. The top 5 companies in the global market are C.L. Smith, Greif, Mauser Packaging Solutions, Muller Group, and Time Technoplast, collectively accounted for 28% market share. Major players in the market are investing in sustainable plastic drums solutions, including recyclable HDPE, PCR based materials and lightweight designs, to meet the government regulations and the shift in consumer preference towards sustainable packaging options. Additionally, the innovation in plastic drums market such as reusable, nestable and tamper evident plastic drums are gaining rapid traction to enhance logistics efficiency and product safety. The next-generation plastic drums are focusing on lightweight, durable, and recyclable materials to meet the demand for sustainable bulk transport and storage solutions.

A significant technological advancement is the development of smart IoT equipped drums enabling real time tracking of temperature, humidity, and location, which is particularly useful for pharmaceutical and food industries. The adoption of smart manufacturing and circular economic initiatives is driving demand for advanced plastic drums, which can optimize the process ensuring cost efficiency and enhanced waste management in plastic drums production.
 

Plastic Drums Market Company

The plastics drums industry features several prominent players, including:

• C.L. Smith
• Greif
• Mauser Packaging Solutions
• Muller Group
• Time Technoplast
• Cospak
• CurTec
• Eagle Manufacturing
   

Grief is a global leader in the plastics drums market offers a wide range of industrial packaging solutions. This company has a strong market presence across multiple regions including North America and Europe. Additionally, this firm emphasizes on strategic acquisition that can enhance market share and has completed its recent acquisition of Reliance products ltd, a producer of high-performance blow-molded jerrycans and small plastic containers in Canada to expand its industrial packaging solutions.
 

C.L. Smith, a close competitor in same vertical cater to various industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, adhesive paints, and food & beverage.  This firm focuses on sustainable packaging solutions and offers customized packaging solutions, especially in hazardous materials.
 

Plastic Drums Industry News

• In August 2024, Mauser packaging solutions completed its acquisition of a business of manufacturing, selling and supplying plastic drums including large rigid plastics drums in Pinetown, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. This acquisition is aimed to improve the existing production capacity and footprint in South Africa to cater the growing demand in the region.
   
• In March 2024, Greif inc has completed the acquisition of Ipackchem Group. This acquisition is aimed at improving the global presence of company and to further grow as a world leader in high performance small plastic containers and jerry cans.
   
• In December 2023, Novvia announced their acquisition of JWJ packaging, an U.S. based supplier for drums pails and other rigid containers. The acquisition was the third acquisition by Novvia in the Northeastern US region, and is aimed at strategic and high-growth market while improving the product offerings.
   

The plastic drums market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) and volume (Kilo Tons) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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By Material

• Polyethylene (PE)
  • High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
  • Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
• Others

By Capacity

• Below 35 Gallons
• 35-60 Gallons
• 60-80 Gallons
• Above 80 Gallons

By Head Type

• Open Head
• Tight Head

By End Use Industry

• Chemical and Petrochemical
• Food and Beverage
• Pharmaceuticals
• Paints and Coatings
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE