Container Market 2025
Language:
Japanese
Product Code No:
C67120500
Issued In:
2025/12
#of Pages:
419
Publication Cycle:
Format:
PDF
Geographic Coverage:
Japan
Industry:
Jump to the Japanese Page:
Coverage: (Product/service)
Container Market
Research Target:
Container manufacturers
Research Content:
I Container Market: Perspectives and Strategies
Toward Sustainable Packaging
• Further innovation required to achieve 100% sustainable PET bottles
• Public support expected for lightweight plastics and biomass-based alternatives
Design Adaptation
• Demand for easy-open packaging, clear labeling, and smaller capacities for aging society
• Growing need for “just-right” sizes (between individual and family portions)
Responding to a Diversifying Consumer Base
• By 2030, one in three consumers will be non-Japanese
• Packaging must address diverse preferences and usage contexts
Implications for Product Development
• Packaging innovation as a key pillar of business strategies beyond 2030
II Light Plastic Containers
[Companies] FP Corp, CP Chemical Incorporated, Risupack, Chuo Kagaku, Denkapolymer, Athena Kogyo
[Materials]
1. PSP containers
2. Polypropylene lightweight containers
(1) PP filler (PPF) containers, low-density foamed polystyrene/polypropylene container
(2) Foamed polystyrene container
(3) Transparent polystyrene container
3. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) lightweight container
4. Polystyrene lightweight container
(1) OPS
(2) Solid polystyrene
III PET Bottle Manufacturers
[Companies] Toyo Seikan, Hokkaican, DNP, Kyoei Sangyo, Toyotsu Pet Recycle Systems, Utsumi Recycle Systems
[Trends]
Demand Trends by Bottle Size
• Small-bottle sales expect slight decline in 2025 due to demand pullback
• Stockpiling demand supports large-bottle sales
Industry Structure and Sourcing Trends
• Continued shift toward in-house production by users
• Private-label manufacturers accelerating adoption of recycled PET (rPET)
Recycling and Cost Environment
• Major recyclers expanding rPET supply capacity
• Price gap between rPET and virgin PET (vPET) remains unchanged
IV Paper Container Manufacturers
[Companies] Nippon Paper Industries, Hokuetsu, IOP, TOPPAN, DNP (carton and food packaging), Dixie, Tokan (paper cups), Nippon Tokan Package, Furubayashi Shiko (paper containers)
[Applications] Paper Carton, Paper Cups, Food Packaging, and Other Paper Containers for Food, Beverages, Drugs, Cosmetics and Detergents
[Trends]
Demand Trends
• Sluggish growth in both beverage and food packaging as consumers curb spending
• Consumer demand shifting toward smaller sizes / Expansion of personal-size carton formats with diverse shapes and contents
• Paper cups for manual and vending machine both entered a downturn in FY2024
• Steady demand for soup, cup noodles and frozen desserts
• Increased sales volumes for CVS products
• Paper container shipment going down but price adjustments offsets by value
Materials and Cost Environment
• Imported base paper remains the primary raw material
• Ongoing price adjustments to offset yen depreciation and rising overhead costs
Sustainability Developments
• School milk cartons environmentally conscious
• Growing adoption of biomass-based inks and recycled materials
• Progress in material recycling of paper cartons with aluminum liners
• Modal shift
Changing Value Proposition
• Key appeal of paper cartons versus plastic bottles shifting from “eco-friendly” to “convenience”
• Lid-in-one beverage cups
V Aluminum (Alminium) and Steel Cans
[Companies] Toyo Seikan, ALTEMIRA Holdings, Daiwa Can, Takeuchi Press
Overall Market Outlook
• Market maturity driving a slight decline in total shipment volume
• Market Positioning of steel cans as “sustainable material”, with expanded use for soft drinks
• Aluminum prices remain high
<Aluminum Cans>
Demand and Usage Trends
• Declines in alcoholic beverages and non-carbonated drinks
• Carbonated drinks remain relatively stable
• High-strength materials required to enable lightweight cans for beer and carbonated drinks
• Japanese manufacturers supplying cans to Vietnam, Europe, and the U.S.
Consumer Preferences
• For wine and sake, lightweight, unbreakable, single-serving formats valued
• Shift toward low-priced, small-capacity aluminum cans for carbonated drinks amid PET bottle price hikes
Sustainability
• Increasing use of UBC (used beverage containers) for cans and bottle caps
VI Glass Bottles
[Companies] Yamamura, Toyo Glass, Ishizuka Glass
Demand Trends
• Significant shipment declines in 2024 due to product price hikes, PET container adoption in condiments, and reduced export volumes
• Demand contraction continues in 2025 from rising prices across products
• Food and condiment makers seeking to switch to non-glass containers
VII Market Trends for CVS Coffee Cups
• As prices move beyond the “100-yen” level, the impact of CVS coffee has weakened, and the market continues to contract
• Rising rPET prices have led to a thinner recycled (“R”) layer in VRV (Virgin–Recycle–Virgin) APET cups
• Plastic cups for iced coffee are increasingly being replaced by paper cups
• Straws for iced beverages are being reintroduced