PCR-Rich Glass Container Market Set to Double by 2035, Driven by Growth in Asia Pacific and Premium Packaging Segments

The global PCR-rich glass container market is projected to reach approximately USD 21.04 billion by 2035, increasing from USD 10.5 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period 2026 to 2035, According to Towards Packaging consultants a sister firm of Precedence Research.

Ottawa, Feb. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global PCR-rich glass container market size stood at USD 10.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 21.04 billion by 2035.

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What is meant by the PCR-Rich Glass Container?

Post-consumer recycled (PCR)-rich glass containers are packaging solutions made with a high proportion of recycled glass collected after consumer use, reducing raw material demand and waste. The market is gaining strategic importance as brands and regulators emphasize sustainability, waste reduction, and circular economy goals. Enhanced recycling infrastructure, consumer preference for eco-friendly packaging, and corporate commitments to reduce carbon footprint are driving wider adoption of PCR-rich glass in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Private Industry Investments for PCR-Rich Glass Containers:

Ardagh Glass Packaging & CAP Glass Partnership: This investment focuses on establishing recycling logistics across the U.S. to convert tens of thousands of tons of waste into high-quality cullet for new container production.
Stoelzle Glass Group's Köflach Upgrade: A €22 million investment in their Köflach plant funded a state-of-the-art furnace specifically designed to integrate 20% PCR cullet into the batch.
AGI Glaspac's Recycling Infrastructure: The company committed $18.5 million to acquire specialized glass recycling equipment and NNPB technology to boost the recycled content capacity of its existing facilities.
Verallia’s Stake in Bout’ à Bout’: Verallia France invested in this startup to accelerate the industrialization of a dedicated system for collecting, washing, and redistributing reusable glass bottles.
Gerresheimer's Oxy-Hybrid Furnace: A €100 million modernization at their Lohr site introduced oxy-hybrid furnace technology that drastically improves energy efficiency while supporting the production of high-value sustainable glass.

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What Are the Latest Key Trends in the PCR-Rich Glass Container Market?

1. Increasing Sustainability and Circular Economy Focus

Brands and manufacturers are prioritizing sustainability by using higher percentages of post-consumer recycled (PCR) glass in containers. This reduces landfill waste and raw material consumption, aligns with corporate environmental goals, and appeals to eco-conscious consumers who prefer packaging with lower environmental impact.

2. Regulatory and Policy Support for Recycled Content

Governments in many regions are implementing stricter recycled-content mandates and extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies. These regulations encourage packaging producers to increase PCR usage, improve recycling systems, and minimize waste, thereby strengthening demand for rigid glass containers with certified recycled material.

3. Lightweighting and Material Efficiency Innovations

Manufacturers are innovating to produce lighter glass containers without compromising strength. Lightweighting reduces transportation costs, energy use, and carbon emissions while preserving durability. These innovations make PCR glass containers more cost-effective and environmentally attractive for beverage, food, and cosmetic brands seeking greener packaging.

4. Consumer Preference for Premium and Reusable Packaging

Consumers increasingly associate glass with quality and recyclability. PCR-rich glass containers maintain premium aesthetics while satisfying preferences for reusable and sustainable options. This trend is particularly strong in beverages, beauty products, and specialty foods, where packaging influences purchase decisions.

5. Expansion of Recycling Infrastructure and Supply Chain Collaboration

Investment in better collection and sorting systems is improving the availability of high-quality recycled glass cullet. Collaboration between waste management firms, glass producers, and brands enhances material flow, ensuring a steady supply of PCR content and strengthening the overall sustainability of the packaging ecosystem.

What is the Potential Growth Rate of the PCR-Rich Glass Container Market?

The PCR-rich glass container market is poised for strong growth as sustainability becomes a central priority across industries. Adoption is being driven by stricter environmental regulations, brand commitments to reduce carbon footprints, and rising consumer demand for recyclable packaging. Expansion of recycling infrastructure and technological improvements in glass processing support broader use of high recycled content. FMCG, beverage, and pharmaceutical companies are increasingly integrating PCR glass into packaging strategies, signaling widening market opportunities and long-term upward momentum globally.

Regional Analysis:

Who is the leader in the PCR-Rich Glass Container Market?

The Europe region leads the market due to concrete 2026 regulatory enforcement and measurable recycled-content implementation across member states. The revised EU packaging framework now requires higher incorporation of recycled materials in glass packaging, pushing manufacturers to secure long-term cullet supply contracts.

Countries such as Germany and the Netherlands are integrating digital deposit-return tracking systems to improve closed-loop recovery. Major European beverage producers are shifting to bottles with over 60% recycled glass, strengthening regional production capacity and sustainability leadership.

UK PCR-Rich Glass Container Market Trends

The UK stands out within Europe for PCR rigid glass containers because the country is actively pushing sustainability through regulatory reforms and industry innovation. In 2025, Verallia UK launched Vista, a 100 % post-consumer recycled glass solution, setting a new benchmark for high-content PCR packaging and proving commercial viability.

How is the Opportunistic is the Rise of the Asia Pacific in the PCR-Rich Glass Container Industry?

The Asia‑Pacific region is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the PCR rigid glass container industry due to a combination of industrial, consumer, and regulatory drivers specific to 2026. Rapid urbanisation and rising consumption in China, India, and Southeast Asia are boosting demand for sustainable glass bottles and jars, particularly in food, beverages, and cosmetics.

Governments are strengthening recycling programmes and waste classification rules, improving source separation and cullet quality. Increasing environmental awareness among consumers and major brands shifting to high‑recycled content packaging further propel regional adoption and infrastructure investment.

China PCR-Rich Glass Container Market Trends

In China, the PCR‑rich glass container industry is evolving with tangible progress toward sustainable packaging. Key manufacturers like SGD Pharma have launched products with verified post‑consumer recycled glass content from their Zhanjiang facility, responding to growing demand from cosmetics and pharmaceutical brands. Efforts are underway to improve cullet sourcing and quality controls, addressing a major supply challenge in China’s recycling ecosystem.

More Insights of Towards Packaging:

Segment Outlook

Container Type Insights

What made the Rigid Paperboard Boxes Segment Dominant in the PCR-Rich Glass Container Market?

The bottle segment dominates the market because bottles are widely used by high‑volume industries such as beverages, spirits, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, where brand image and sustainability matter. Their standardized shapes and high recyclability make them easier to incorporate with post‑consumer recycled glass. Strong demand from premium drink brands and growing consumer preference for eco‑friendly packaging further reinforce the segment’s leading position.

The jar segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the market due to rising demand from the food, condiment, and personal care sectors where sustainable and reusable packaging is prioritized. Consumers increasingly prefer glass jars for premium preserves, sauces, and skincare products. Manufacturers are also expanding jar formats with higher post‑consumer recycled content, reinforcing growth momentum.

End-User Industry Insights

What made the Beverage Industry Segment Dominant in the PCR-Rich Glass Container Market?

The beverage industry segment dominates the market because glass bottles are uniquely suited for premium and sustainable beverage packaging. In 2026, major alcoholic and non‑alcoholic beverage brands continue to shift to PCR‑enriched glass for taste preservation, recyclability, and brand positioning, especially for craft beers, spirits, mineral water, and health drinks. High consumer preference for eco‑friendly packaging and stringent regional sustainability regulations are encouraging beverage producers to prioritise high PCR content glass bottles to align with environmental commitments and enhance product appeal.

The cosmetics & personal care segment is expected to be the fastest-growing in the market as brands increasingly focus on sustainability to meet consumer demand. Premium skincare, fragrance, and cosmetic products are adopting high post‑consumer recycled glass to reduce environmental impact while maintaining quality. Innovations in lightweight, visually appealing PCR glass and retailer emphasis on recyclability are driving rapid adoption in this segment.

Capacity / Weight Category

How the Medium Capacity Dominated the PCR-Rich Glass Container Market?

The medium (250–750 ml) segment is the dominant capacity segment in the market because it perfectly meets the needs of beverages, sauces, condiments, and personal care products, offering a balance between portability and usability. This size allows manufacturers to efficiently use post‑consumer recycled glass without affecting container strength or aesthetics, making it widely adopted by both premium and mainstream brands across multiple industries.

The small (<250 ml) segment is expected to be the fastest growing in the market, driven by rising consumer preference for sustainable packaging and the increasing popularity of premium, artisanal products. Growth is supported by demand for eco-friendly, lightweight solutions and a growing consumer base seeking high-quality, visually appealing, and environmentally responsible packaging options.

Recent Breakthroughs in the PCR-Rich Glass Container Industry

In February 2026, at Paris Packaging Week – PCD 2026, SGD Pharma highlighted its latest eco‑conscious glass packaging featuring 20% and 30% PCR content bottles produced in China. The showcase underscored improved sustainable solutions for the beauty and care sectors, reinforcing the company’s commitment to reducing raw material use and energy consumption in glass production.
In December 2025, SGD Pharma’s Zhanjiang plant in China became the first glass manufacturer in the country to obtain ISO 14021 certification for its PCR glass packaging, validating the use of 18–35% post‑consumer recycled content. This milestone supports beauty and cosmetics brands with verified sustainable packaging solutions and strengthens the company’s decarbonisation strategy for low‑carbon production aligned with international standards.
In August 2025, Verallia UK introduced Vista, a fully post‑consumer recycled glass packaging solution made from 100% reclaimed glass, including windshields. York Gin became the first brand to adopt Vista bottles, demonstrating that premium beverage packaging can combine aesthetics with high circularity, setting new sustainability benchmarks for the industry.

Top Companies in the Global PCR-Rich Glass Container Market & Their Offerings:

Tier 1:

Owens-Illinois Inc.: Produces the "Estampe" bottle and other high-PCR lines that utilize over 80% recycled content to lower carbon emissions.
Ardagh Group S.A.: Offers the "ECO Series," which combines high recycled content with lightweighting across a variety of food and beverage containers.
Vetropack Holding AG: Utilizes "Echovai" technology to create reusable, lightweight bottles containing more than 66% recycled glass.
Stölzle Glass Group: Manufactures PCR-rich primary packaging specifically for the pharmaceutical, spirits, and perfumery sectors.
Verallia Group: Focuses on maximizing cullet ratios across its global portfolio to produce sustainable food and beverage containers.
Encirc Ltd.: Produces high-PCR glass containers using hydrogen-ready furnaces to achieve ultra-low carbon manufacturing.
Beatson Clark: Specializes in niche, sustainable glass packaging for the pharmaceutical and beverage markets with a focus on circularity.

Tier 2:

Saverglass
BSN Glasspack
HNG Float Glass Ltd.
Bormioli Rocco
Gerresheimer AG
Vitro SAB
Vidrala S.A.
Saint-Gobain
Anchor Glass Container Corporation
Consol Glass (Pty) Ltd.
Piramal Glass Pvt. Ltd.
Nihon Yamamura Glass Co., Ltd.
Zignago Vetro S.p.A.

Segment Covered in the Report

By Container Type

Bottles
- Beverage bottles (wine, spirits, beer, soft drinks)
- Water & juice bottles
- Specialty beverage bottles
Jars
- Food jars (jams, sauces, pickles)
- Cosmetic/personal care jars
- Pharmaceutical jars
Closures & Caps (glass components)
Other Specialty Glass Containers

By End-Use Industry

Beverage Industry
- Alcoholic beverages (wine, spirits, beer)
- Non-alcoholic beverages
Food Industry
- Sauces, condiments, preserves
Pharmaceutical & Healthcare
Cosmetics & Personal Care
Specialty / Luxury Packaging

By Capacity / Weight Category

Small (<250 ml)
Medium (250–750 ml)
Large (>750 ml)

By Region

North America:

U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Rest of North America

South America:

Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America

Europe:

Western Europe

Germany
Italy
France
Netherlands
Spain
Portugal
Belgium
Ireland
UK
Iceland
Switzerland
Poland
Rest of Western Europe

Eastern Europe

Austria
Russia & Belarus
Türkiye
Albania
Rest of Eastern Europe

Asia Pacific:

China
Taiwan
India
Japan
Australia and New Zealand,
ASEAN Countries (Singapore, Malaysia)
South Korea
Rest of APAC

MEA:

GCC Countries
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Qatar
Kuwait
Oman
Bahrain
South Africa
Egypt
Rest of MEA

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About Us

Towards Packaging is a global consulting and market intelligence firm specializing in strategic research across key packaging segments including sustainable, flexible, smart, biodegradable, and recycled packaging. We empower businesses with actionable insights, trend analysis, and data-driven strategies. Our experienced consultants use advanced research methodologies to help companies of all sizes navigate market shifts, identify growth opportunities, and stay competitive in the global packaging industry.

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