The global alcoholic drinks packaging market is projected to reach USD 100.9 billion by 2036, rising from USD 59.2 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 5.5%, according to Future Market Insights (FMI). The market was valued at USD 55.8 billion in 2025. Demand is being shaped by premiumization, craft beverage expansion, sustainability mandates, lightweighting, and recycled content adoption.
The market is expected to add USD 45.1 billion between 2026 and 2036. Growth is being driven by higher-value packaging formats rather than a broad increase in alcoholic beverage consumption volumes. Raw material price volatility and regulatory pressure on single-use packaging remain constraints, while manufacturers are using lightweighting, premium decorative finishes, and long-term supply contracts to protect profitability.
Alcoholic Drinks Packaging Market Shifts Toward Premium Formats
Alcoholic drinks packaging market demand spans primary and secondary packaging for beer, wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. The category includes glass bottles, aluminum cans, plastic containers, cartons, barrels, pouches, closures, labels, and related secondary packaging.
Bottles and growlers are estimated to account for 36.8% of the market in 2026, making the product segment the leading category. Glass holds 42.5% of the material market, while beer represents 39.4% of end-use demand.
The shift toward premium packaging is visible in glass design and reuse. Verallia is testing refillable growler systems through its Reuse Lab, while Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe partnered with The Absolut Company on limited-edition bottles including the “Absolut Haring” artist-edition.
Glass producers are also targeting lower-carbon production. Vetreria Etrusca states that Verdetrusco® glass provides 99.9% protection from UV rays that can interact with and alter foodstuffs. Vetreria Etrusca also reports that recycled scrap represents 75% of each bottle produced.
Sustainability Requirements Reshape Packaging Procurement
Sustainability requirements are changing packaging specifications across glass and metal. European packaging activity is increasingly connected to higher recycling rates, reuse systems, renewable energy, and lower-carbon manufacturing pathways.
Future Market Insights identifies lightweight glass and recycled aluminum as strategic priorities for reducing packaging-related carbon footprints. Sustainability certifications are also becoming market-access considerations as environmental regulation and extended producer responsibility requirements expand.
Premiumization is supporting packaging value even when mainstream beverage volumes soften. Premium spirits, ready-to-drink products, and export-oriented categories are helping preserve demand for decorated and specification-intensive packaging.
North America illustrates the shift. In the United States, spirits RTD products and Tequila/Mezcal continued to grow in 2024, with sales up 16.5% and 2.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, the number of craft breweries operating in June 2025 declined 1% year over year to 9,269.
Mexico's export market provides another measurable demand signal. Tequila exports reached 400.3 million liters in 2024, while shipments to the United States increased from 321.6 million liters to 334.9 million liters, a 4.1% rise.
China and India Lead Regional Growth
China is projected to record a 7.6% CAGR from 2026 to 2036, while India is forecast to grow at 7.0%. Germany follows at 6.4%, France at 5.8%, the United Kingdom at 5.2%, the United States at 4.7%, and Japan at 3.5%.
India's packaging demand is supported by premium spirits and Scotch whisky exports. India regained its position as the world's number one Scotch whisky export market by volume, with 192 million bottles exported, representing a 14.6% year-over-year increase.
China presents a more challenging demand environment. Pernod Ricard reported China at -10% with flat price/mix, reflecting a difficult macroeconomic environment and weak consumer sentiment. United States wine exports to China also declined 70% to USD 17.4 million during the reported period.
Europe remains focused on decarbonization. The Close the Glass Loop initiative and investment in “Furnaces of the Future” are supporting efforts to transition glass production toward renewable electricity and hydrogen. In the United Kingdom, Scotch whisky exports increased 10% in value compared with the pre-Covid baseline.
Packaging Suppliers Compete on Quality and Sustainability
The alcoholic drinks packaging market remains fragmented across glass, metal, and specialty closure suppliers. Competition is concentrated among multinational producers capable of supporting global beverage brands with consistent quality, decoration precision, regulatory compliance, and delivery performance.
Gordon Hardie, CEO of O-I Glass, highlighted the importance of product and customer mix during market headwinds: “Net sales were relatively stable despite softer market demand, as we successfully navigated challenging market conditions and remained focused on optimizing our customer and product mix. This approach resulted in a more premium and resilient business portfolio.”
Recent industry developments include Amcor's completion of its all-stock merger with Berry Global in April 2025. The deal is expected to deliver $650 million in synergies and strong earnings growth by 2028. In July 2024, Smurfit Westrock completed its listing, with shares trading under “SWR” on the London Stock Exchange and “SW” on the NYSE.
Key companies profiled by Future Market Insights include Ardagh Group S.A., O-I Glass, Inc., Verallia S.A., Ball Corporation, Crown Holdings, Inc., Amcor plc, Berry Global Group, Inc., Tetra Pak Group, SIG Combibloc Group AG, Mondi plc, and other packaging manufacturers.
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About Future Market Insights (FMI)
Future Market Insights, Inc. (FMI) is an ESOMAR-certified, ISO 9001:2015 market research and consulting organization, trusted by Fortune 500 clients and global enterprises. With operations in the U.S., UK, India, and Dubai, FMI provides data-backed insights and strategic intelligence across 30+ industries and 1200 markets worldwide.
