Market overview
The global compostable packaging market is worth USD 3.5 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 10.0 bn by 2036, growing at a 11.0% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Bioplastic blends (PLA, PBAT, starch) is the largest by material segment.
| Scope | Packaging made from certified compostable materials such as PLA, PBAT, starch blends and moulded fibre, including films, bags, food service ware, trays and pouches. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Packaging |
| Value 2025 | USD 3.2 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 3.5 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 10.0 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 11.0% |
| Volume 2026 | 820,545 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 2,109,202 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 4,309 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Compostable Packaging market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 3.5 bn |
| 2027 | USD 3.9 bn |
| 2028 | USD 4.4 bn |
| 2029 | USD 4.8 bn |
| 2030 | USD 5.4 bn |
| 2031 | USD 6.0 bn |
| 2032 | USD 6.6 bn |
| 2033 | USD 7.3 bn |
| 2034 | USD 8.1 bn |
| 2035 | USD 9.0 bn |
| 2036 | USD 10.0 bn |
Compostable Packaging market segmentation
By material
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bioplastic blends (PLA, PBAT, starch) | 48.0% | 50.6% | USD 1.7 bn | 11.6% |
| Moulded fibre and pulp | 28.0% | 25.8% | USD 990 mn | 10.1% |
| Compostable paper and coated board | 16.0% | 14.7% | USD 566 mn | 10.1% |
| Other compostable materials | 8.0% | 8.8% | USD 283 mn | 12.1% |
By product
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Films and bags | 34.0% | 32.4% | USD 1.2 bn | 10.5% |
| Food service ware and cups | 30.0% | 31.3% | USD 1.1 bn | 11.5% |
| Trays and containers | 20.0% | 19.9% | USD 707 mn | 11.0% |
| Pouches and sachets | 10.0% | 10.9% | USD 354 mn | 12.0% |
| Other | 6.0% | 5.5% | USD 212 mn | 10.0% |
By end use
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food service | 33.0% | 32.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 10.7% |
| Food and beverage | 26.0% | 26.0% | USD 919 mn | 11.0% |
| E-commerce and logistics | 16.0% | 18.0% | USD 566 mn | 12.3% |
| Retail bags and carriers | 14.0% | 13.0% | USD 495 mn | 10.2% |
| Agriculture and horticulture | 7.0% | 7.0% | USD 248 mn | 11.0% |
| Others | 4.0% | 4.0% | USD 141 mn | 11.0% |
By certification
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial compostable | 62.0% | 57.0% | USD 2.2 bn | 10.1% |
| Home compostable | 28.0% | 33.0% | USD 990 mn | 12.8% |
| Marine compostable | 10.0% | 10.0% | USD 354 mn | 11.0% |
By pack layer
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary packaging | 62.0% | 60.0% | USD 2.2 bn | 10.6% |
| Secondary packaging | 25.0% | 26.0% | USD 884 mn | 11.4% |
| Tertiary packaging | 13.0% | 14.0% | USD 460 mn | 11.8% |
Top 25 countries for compostable packaging by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 81.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 94.7%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 707 mn | 20.0% | USD 2.2 bn | 12.2% |
| 2 | United States | USD 636 mn | 18.0% | USD 1.8 bn | 11.2% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 318 mn | 9.0% | USD 773 mn | 9.3% |
| 4 | France | USD 283 mn | 8.0% | USD 753 mn | 10.3% |
| 5 | Italy | USD 248 mn | 7.0% | USD 602 mn | 9.3% |
| 6 | United Kingdom | USD 177 mn | 5.0% | USD 472 mn | 10.3% |
| 7 | Spain | USD 141 mn | 4.0% | USD 371 mn | 10.1% |
| 8 | Japan | USD 141 mn | 4.0% | USD 311 mn | 8.2% |
| 9 | Netherlands | USD 106 mn | 3.0% | USD 261 mn | 9.4% |
| 10 | India | USD 106 mn | 3.0% | USD 482 mn | 16.3% |
| 11 | Mexico | USD 90 mn | 2.5% | USD 287 mn | 12.3% |
| 12 | South Korea | USD 59 mn | 1.7% | USD 141 mn | 9.1% |
| 13 | Canada | USD 46 mn | 1.3% | USD 146 mn | 12.3% |
| 14 | Turkey | USD 38 mn | 1.1% | USD 121 mn | 12.3% |
| 15 | Australia | USD 33 mn | 0.9% | USD 105 mn | 12.2% |
| 16 | Indonesia | USD 30 mn | 0.8% | USD 94 mn | 12.3% |
| 17 | Thailand | USD 27 mn | 0.8% | USD 85 mn | 12.2% |
| 18 | Poland | USD 25 mn | 0.7% | USD 79 mn | 12.3% |
| 19 | Saudi Arabia | USD 23 mn | 0.7% | USD 73 mn | 12.3% |
| 20 | Vietnam | USD 22 mn | 0.6% | USD 68 mn | 12.2% |
| 21 | Russia | USD 21 mn | 0.6% | USD 49 mn | 9.1% |
| 22 | Argentina | USD 19 mn | 0.6% | USD 47 mn | 9.3% |
| 23 | Belgium | USD 18 mn | 0.5% | USD 44 mn | 9.2% |
| 24 | South Africa | USD 18 mn | 0.5% | USD 46 mn | 10.1% |
| 25 | Egypt | USD 17 mn | 0.5% | USD 53 mn | 12.3% |
| Rest of world | USD 187 mn | 5.3% | USD 487 mn | 10.0% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- NatureWorks
- BASF
- TotalEnergies Corbion
- Novamont
- Kingfa
- Jinhui Zhaolong
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Huhtamaki
- Futamura
- Biome Bioplastics
- Eco-Products
- Vegware
- BioPak
- World Centric
- Fabri-Kal
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Sulapac
- Notpla
- Mondi
- Evoware
- Bio4Pack
- Sphere
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the compostable packaging market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 11.0% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by material, by product, by end use, by certification, by pack layer. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the compostable packaging market?
The global compostable packaging market is estimated at USD 3.2 bn in 2025 and USD 3.5 bn in 2026.
How fast will the compostable packaging market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 10.0 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 11.0% from 2026, an increase of USD 6.5 bn.
Which country is the largest market for compostable packaging?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 707 mn in 2026, 20.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 47.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 16.3% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which compostable packaging segment is largest?
In the by material split, Bioplastic blends (PLA, PBAT, starch) is the largest segment with 48.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading compostable packaging companies?
Global leaders include NatureWorks, BASF, TotalEnergies Corbion, Novamont.
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