Carbon-Negative Packaging Market Sets USD 170.97 Bn in 2025 at 6.53 CAGR

Carbon-Negative Packaging Market Outlook 2025: Europe Leads with 38% Share, Asia Pacific Poised for Fastest Growth

According to market projections, the carbon-negative packaging industry is expected to grow from USD 90.82 billion in 2024 to USD 170.97 billion by 2034, reflecting a CAGR of 6.53%. In 2024, Europe led the market with 38% share, while bio-based materials and rigid packaging dominated. From 2025–2034, Asia Pacific, algae-based plastics, flexible packaging, e-commerce, and 3D printed bio-packaging will see notable growth.

Last Updated: 09 July 2025 Category: Others Packaging Insight Code: 5670 Format: PDF / PPT / Excel

The carbon-negative packaging market is predicted to expand from USD 96.75 billion in 2025 to USD 170.97 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.53% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The rising awareness towards ecological issues among consumers has raised the demand for this market, and government initiatives also played a significant role in the development of the carbon-negative packaging market. Bio-based (PLA & PHA) materials are widely utilized for the manufacturing of such packages due to their biodegradability and recyclability. Europe is dominating this market due to strong supervisory regulations of the government in the packaging sector.

Carbon-Negative Packaging Market Size 2024 - 2034

Key Insights

  • In terms of revenue, the market is valued at USD 96.75 billion in 2025.
  • The market is projected to reach USD 170.97 billion by 2034.
  • Rapid growth at a CAGR of 6.53% will be observed in the period between 2025 and 2034.
  • Europe dominated the global market by holding more than 38% of the revenue share in 2024.
  • Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a notable CAGR from 2025 to 2034.
  • By material type, the bio-based (PLA & PHA) segment contributed the biggest revenue share of 36% in 2024.
  • By packaging type, the rigid packaging (bottles & containers) segment contributed 41% revenue share in 2024.
  • By packaging type, the flexible (pouches & films) segment will be expanding at a significant CAGR between 2025 and 2034.
  • By end-use industry, the food & beverage segment held the major revenue share of 48% in 2024.
  • By end-use industry, the e-commerce & retail segment is projected to grow at a rapid CAGR between 2025 and 2034.
  • By distribution channel, the direct sales (B2B) segment contributed the biggest revenue share of 58% in 2024.
  • By distribution channel, the e-commerce segment is expanding at a significant CAGR between 2025 and 2034.
  • By technology, the carbon capture integrated segment contributed the biggest market share of 35% in 2024.
  • By technology, the 3D printed bio-packaging segment will be expanding at a significant CAGR between 2025 and 2034.

Market Overview

Carbon-negative packaging refers to packaging solutions that sequester more carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere than is emitted during their entire lifecycle (production, usage, and disposal). This is achieved through the use of bio-based, compostable, recycled, or engineered carbon capture materials, with a net negative greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint.

Key Metrics and Overview

Metric Details
Market Size in 2025 USD 96.75 Billion
Projected Market Size in 2034 USD 170.97 Billion
CAGR (2025 - 2034) 6.53%
Leading Region Europe
Market Segmentation By Material Type, By Packaging Type, By End-Use Industry, By Distribution Channel, By Technology and By Region
Top Key Players Notpla Ltd., Lactips, Avani Eco, Footprint, Living Ink Technologies, Biome Bioplastics, Green Dot Bioplastics, Loliware Inc., TIPA Corp Ltd., CarbonCraft, Sulapac Ltd.

Rising Demand for Reusable Packaging

  • The rising demand for packaging that can be reused and recycled in multiple ways has influenced the development of this market. 

Compostable and Edible Packaging

  • Packaging which are edible and compostable is manufactured by seaweed films and attracts a huge number of consumers. 

Increasing Demand for Active & Smart Packaging

How Can AI Improve the Carbon-Negative Packaging Market?

The incorporation of AI in the carbon-negative packaging market has influenced the development of the market by supporting smart patterns, data-influenced sustainability tracking, and effective operations. It reduces the usage of resources and also maintains strength. AI optimizes the shape of the packages for effective transportation. With the adoption of advanced technology, it has become easy to predict carbon emissions from the product, which has boosted the development of this market. AI helps to optimize the supply chain process of the industry and supports in planning transportation routes and reducing footprints.

Market Dynamics

Driver

Demand for Eco-friendly Alternatives

The rising demand for eco-friendly packaging among consumers has enhanced the demand for the carbon-negative packaging market. Customers are progressively demanding environment-friendly substitutes, encouraging producers to revolutionize and accept carbon-negative packaging solutions. This change in customer choice is additionally maintained by strict government guidelines intended at decreasing carbon emissions and endorsing sustainable options across businesses. As a consequence, corporations are capitalizing heavily on study and expansion to generate packaging resources that not only decrease carbon footprints but also improve product functionality and shelf life.

Restraint

Limited Scalability and High Production Charges

The high production cost associated with the carbon-negative packaging market has hindered its expansion. The growth of carbon-sequestering, biodegradable, and plant-based packaging resolutions often needs advanced technology and specific production procedures, making them more exclusive than old-style plastic packing. Many industries, mainly small and medium initiatives, fight to defend the extra charges, limiting extensive acceptance.

Opportunity

Rising Worldwide Focus on Sustainable Packaging

The carbon-negative packaging market shows noteworthy development opportunities influenced by the growing worldwide focus on sustainable packaging and carbon decreasing initiatives. As governments execute severe ecological guidelines and company sustainability aims become more determined, the growing demand for carbon-negative packaging solutions is increasing. Trades that capitalize on advanced packaging resources, such as carbon-sequestering resources, biodegradable polymers, and plant-based substitutes, can support this increasing market.

The progressions in carbon detention and operation technologies are generating new potential for incorporating apprehended carbon into packaging manufacture, additionally improving sustainability efforts. The rising circular economy model, which highlights waste decrease and resource efficiency, offers businesses opportunities to advance closed-loop arrangements that help the large-scale acceptance of carbon-negative packaging.

Segmental Insights

Why Did the Bio-Based (PLA & PHA) Segment Dominate the Carbon-Negative Packaging Market in 2024?

The bio-based (PLA & PHA) segment contributed a considerable share of the carbon-negative packaging market in 2024 due to its flexibility and durability. Bio-based (PLA & PHA), resulting from renewable resources like algae, cornstarch, and sugarcane, are getting widespread acceptance. These alternatives, comprising resources such as seaweed-based and mycelium packaging, are developing as advanced solutions with negligible ecological impact. Corporations are progressively capitalizing on research and development to improve the presentation and scalability of these resources, safeguarding cost-efficiency and extensive acceptance across businesses.

The algae-based plastics segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. This segment is growing rapidly due to its advanced performance and eco-friendly nature. These are derived from seaweed species and fast-growing microalgae that sequester large amounts of carbon dioxide at the time of cultivation. This is highly acceptable due to its high versatility, biodegradability, and low energy inputs.

Why Did the Rigid Packaging (Bottles & Containers) Segment Dominate the Carbon-Negative Packaging Market in 2024?

The rigid packaging (Bottles & Containers) segment was dominant over the carbon-negative packaging market in 2024 due to the widespread usage of household products, food, beverages, and personal care. The major utilisation of resources such as hemp composites, captured carbon resources, algae plastics, and bio-based resins. Several brands are accepting such packaging now to attract a huge number of consumers, which enhances their development. These packages decrease emissions at the time of manufacturing. It also permits traceability technologies and smart labelling.

The flexible (pouches & films) segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. These are cost-efficient, lightweight, and widely applicable in several industries. These are made up of biochar-infused polymers, algae bioplastic, seaweed-based films, and hemp composites. Flexible formats need efficiently less resources and energy for the production as well as transportation processes.

Why Did the Food & Beverage Segment Dominate the Carbon-Negative Packaging Market in 2024?

The food & beverage segment held a considerable share of the carbon-negative packaging market in 2024 due to the high consumption capacities and supervisory pressure on the one-time usage of plastics. To fulfill company sustainability aims and meet customer requirements, industries are accepting environment-friendly packaging like carbon-sequestering vessels, biodegradable dishes, and compostable films. The carbon-negative packaging resources are decomposable and can help reduce the ecological impact of food & beverage packaging, improving segmented expansion.

The e-commerce & retail segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. This is due to customer choices and business sustainability promises. As more trades identify the long-term profits of decreasing carbon releases, the demand for sustainable packaging resolutions is anticipated to grow, aligning carbon-negative packaging as a crucial section of upcoming packaging plans.

Why the Direct Sales (B2B) Segment Dominated the Carbon-Negative Packaging Market in 2024?

The direct sales (B2B) segment is expected to have a considerable share of the carbon-negative packaging market in 2024 due to the requirement for personalised packaging and eco-compliant resolution. Through this segment, several companies are gaining sustainable metrics, huge control over patterns, and resource selection. Furthermore, supervisory compressions and extended producer responsibility (EPR) directives are encouraging industries to pursue direct supplier association to safeguard compliance and traceability. The consciousness of this market grows, and as sustainability becomes an inexpensive discriminator, B2B sales will continue to dominate.

The e-commerce segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. It is expanding due to the rising number of online retails, rapid delivery models, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. As the volume of shipments grows, which influences the ecological impact of packaging waste, encouraging brands and logistics to take action well. These resources deliver compostable, lightweight, and durable substitutes that decrease both transportation and production emissions, which are related to carbon footprints.

Why the Carbon Capture Integrated Segment Dominated the Carbon-Negative Packaging Market in 2024?

The carbon capture integrated segment accounts for a considerable share of the carbon-negative packaging market in 2024 due to the growing demand for environment-friendly packaging of products. This segment includes technologies that trap carbon dioxide directly from the market or the atmosphere. It utilizes captured carbon dioxide and decreases reliability on fossil-based inputs. Advanced technologies like algae-based carbon dioxide absorption process, carbon mineralization, and carbon dioxide polymerization.

The 3D printed bio-packaging segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. This is due to its capability to offer personalized, environment-friendly, and lightweight resolutions while reducing waste. It allows precise control over material utilization, decreasing surplus production, and eliminating off-cuts. This technology is mainly helpful for branded packaging, protective packaging, and inserts in high-value segments such as specialty foods, cosmetics, and electronics.

Regional Insights

Strict Guidelines in the Packaging Industry in Europe Promote Dominance

Europe held the largest share of the carbon-negative packaging market in 2024, due to the strict government guidelines for the packaging industry. It majorly focuses on rising ecological issues and the accumulation of waste in landfills. In several countries, such as the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and several others, there is a strict stepwise checking process of the packaging that has influenced the production of packages that are carbon-negative. The huge demand for such packages in the food industry has also contributed significantly to the growth of this market.

Asia Pacific’s Huge Demand for Green and Sustainable Packaging Supports Growth

Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the fastest rate in the carbon-negative packaging market during the forecast period. The rapid expansion in the demand for green and sustainable packaging has led to the development of this market. Increasing industrialization and urbanization are generating a surge in demand for sustainable substitutes. Government-controlled inducements and grants for environment-friendly packaging producers are inspiring production. Governments in this region are also executing policies and enterprises to endorse sustainable choices, further boosting the development of this packaging market.

Carbon-Negative Packaging Market Segments

Carbon-Negative Packaging Market Companies

  • Notpla Ltd.
  • Lactips
  • Avani Eco
  • Footprint
  • Living Ink Technologies
  • Biome Bioplastics
  • Green Dot Bioplastics
  • Loliware Inc.
  • TIPA Corp Ltd.
  • CarbonCraft
  • Sulapac Ltd.
  • NatureWorks LLC
  • FlexSea
  • Mango Materials
  • Genecis Bioindustries Inc.
  • Ecologic Brands (acquired by Jabil)
  • Cruz Foam
  • Paptic Ltd.
  • Bluepha Co., Ltd.
  • PlanetCare

Latest Announcements by Industry Leaders

  • In June 2025, NantBioRenewables Global Sales & Marketing director Lila Karlsen McNutt expressed, “This investment in our brand infrastructure demonstrates our commitment to long-term growth and customer success. As we scale our revolutionary Ocean Calcium Sand technology globally, our customers deserve marketing and sales tools that reflect the premium nature of our innovations.” (Source: Packaging Gateway)

New Advancements in the Carbon-Negative Packaging Market

  • In June 2025, NantBioRenewables will introduce a comprehensive brand transformation to accelerate global market expansion of its ocean-derived renewable packaging materials. (Source: Packaging Gateway)
  • In January 2025, Interface, Inc. revealed a first-of-its-kind carbon negative nora® rubber flooring prototype that stores more carbon than is emitted through its manufacture. (Source: Business Wire)

Carbon-Negative Packaging Market Segments

By Material Type

  • Bio-Based Materials
  • Polylactic Acid (PLA)
  • Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)
  • Cellulose Fiber
  • Starch Blends
  • Algae-Based Plastics
  • Bagasse
  • Recycled Materials
  • Post-consumer Recycled Plastics
  • Recycled Paper & Cardboard
  • Engineered Materials
  • Mycelium
  • CO₂-captured polymer composites
  • Others
  • Bamboo
  • Hemp Fiber

By Packaging Type

  • Rigid Packaging
  • Trays
  • Bottles
  • Jars & Containers
  • Flexible Packaging
  • Pouches
  • Wraps
  • Sachets
  • Films

By End-Use Industry

  • Food & Beverage
  • Ready-to-eat Meals
  • Beverages (bottles, caps)
  • Fresh Produce
  • Dairy & Meat
  • Personal Care & Cosmetics
  • Household Products
  • Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
  • E-commerce & Retail
  • Industrial Packaging

By Distribution Channel

  • Direct Sales (B2B)
  • Retail (B2C)
  • E-Commerce

By Technology

  • Carbon Capture Integrated Manufacturing
  • Enzymatic Degradation Tech
  • 3D Printed Bio-Packaging
  • Smart Carbon-Monitoring Packaging

By Region

  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa
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  • Insight Code: 5670
  • No. of Pages: 150
  • Format: PDF/PPT/Excel
  • Last Updated: 09 July 2025
  • Report Covered: [Revenue + Volume]
  • Historical Year: 2021-2023
  • Base Year: 2024
  • Estimated Years: 2025-2034

Meet the Team

Yogesh Kulkarni is an experienced Research Analyst specializing in the packaging sector, with a strong foundation in statistical analysis and market intelligence. He currently contributes his expertise to Towards Packaging.

Learn more about Yogesh Kulkarni

Aditi Shivarkar, with 14+ years in packaging market research, specializes in food, beverage, and eco-friendly packaging. She ensures accurate, actionable insights, driving Towards Packaging 's excellence in industry trends and sustainability.

Learn more about Aditi Shivarkar

Related Insights

FAQ's

The growth is primarily fueled by increasing consumer demand for sustainable alternatives, stricter government regulations on carbon emissions and plastic use, and rising corporate ESG commitments. Bio-based and carbon-sequestering materials offer eco-appeal and help companies align with climate goals.

Valued at USD 96.75 billion in 2025 and projected to reach USD 170.97 billion by 2034 (CAGR 6.53%), the market presents strong investment opportunities. Companies developing bio-based, compostable, or carbon capture-enabled packaging solutions are particularly attractive targets due to increasing demand and policy support.

Europe leads in adoption due to stringent sustainability regulations, especially in the food and consumer goods sectors. Asia Pacific is emerging rapidly, driven by industrialization, government incentives, and increasing environmental awareness.

Technologies like carbon capture integration, 3D-printed bio-packaging, and smart carbon-monitoring packaging are transforming how emissions are tracked and reduced. These innovations improve traceability, efficiency, and material optimization.

Bio-based materials such as PLA, PHA, and algae-based plastics dominate due to biodegradability and carbon sequestration. Algae-based materials, in particular, are gaining traction for their rapid renewability and low energy requirements.

In markets like the EU and UK, regulations such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and plastic bans are forcing companies to adopt carbon-negative packaging. Businesses that do not comply face financial penalties and brand risks.

The food & beverage industry leads due to pressure on single-use plastics, followed by e-commerce which is adapting to consumer and policy-driven sustainability expectations. Both are key early adopters of smart, lightweight, and compostable formats.

High production costs, limited manufacturing infrastructure, and performance inconsistencies remain major barriers. These affect widespread adoption, especially among small and mid-size enterprises. However, ongoing R&D and economies of scale are gradually addressing these issues.