Market Overview

The lightweight plastic container market size (based on the domestic shipment volume) was estimated to have reached 793,400 tons in 2019 (100.1% on a YoY basis), and 795,000 tons in 2020 (100.2% on YoY).

In 2020, consumption from staying home increased as people stayed longer hours at home in the COVID-19 calamity. This led the prosperous sales for food trays to put fresh food at supermarkets and for food containers used in takeaway food and delivery services. On the other hand, demand for containers used in convenience stores declined because of sluggish sales at those stores located at business districts, busy areas, and sightseeing spots. Also, demand for containers for Ekiben (box lunch sold on a train or at a station) and food trucks used for pleasure trips and events decreased because of withheld traveling and events.

Noteworthy Topics

PSP Container Market

In 2020, consumption from staying home brisked up the PSP (polystyrene paper) container market in the COVID-19 calamity.

In supermarkets, ingredients to cook at home sold well, which increased the sales of PSP trays mainly for fresh food. This tendency was also observed for the containers for Natto, fermented soybeans, representing health food. In April to May, during the state of emergency was declared, special demand for containers used in takeaway food and food delivery was generated, which have kept the stable sales since then. Cup noodles have also enjoyed benefit from stay-home demand, but their sales at offices were sluggish as working at home widespread. The market of PSP container market for 2020 therefore is estimated to rise to 174,000 tons, 102.8% of the previous year.

Future Outlook

The lightweight plastic container market size (based on the domestic shipment volume) in 2021 is forecasted to reach 793,900 tons, 99.9% on a YoY basis.

Citizens are still asked to stay home as much as possible in 2021, especially in Tokyo Metropolitan Area as well as in Kansai Area where the state of emergency has been announced once again. While it is difficult to forecast when the COVID-19 infections are subdued, the users of takeaway food and food delivery services are likely to spread gradually. Manufacturers of lightweight plastic containers seem to require reconsideration of marketing mix that includes product development, channel strategy and promotions, aiming at conforming to the post-corona society where demand for cooking at home on the rise and where growth of convenience stores slowing down.  

Research Outline