SOUTH AFRICA PLASTIC MARKET

South Africa plastic market is projected to grow at a CAGR 2.6% from 2024-2031 owing to the rapid urbanization and increasing plastic consumption.

Major Market Drivers and Emerging Trends

South Africa plastic market size expansion is fueled by swift urbanization and changing consumer behaviors. The World Bank reports that in 2022 South Africa represented over 68 percent of the urban communities. The country ranks among Africa’s developed countries and is a leading area for manufacturing and industrial prospects. With urbanization on the rise, rapidly growing cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town are attracting a younger demographic who are altering their consumption habits and buying more packaged products. This demographic change results in higher demand for convenience foods and other consumer products which rely on plastic packaging. Plastics SA reports that the raw and recycled polymers consumption in the country was 1.96 million back in 2022.

The plastics industry contributed USD 4.5 billion to the national GDP in 2020 which represents 2.3% in the total amount. It also underpins critical industries including healthcare and construction. Despite its advantages, plastic contributes to environmental problems and concerns about this are growing in the country. To address the specific environmental and social issues, the South African Initiative to End Plastic Pollution in the Environment was established which emphasized the need for a locally relevant plan. This alliance includes representatives from every sector of the domestic plastics value chain such as manufacturers, business owners and consumers along with other stakeholders. The members are dedicated to working together to create a positive environmental impact which aims for the prevention and eventually eliminate plastic pollution.

Plastic waste recycling rates in the country are among the highest in Africa with 30% of domestic plastic waste is recycled. While progress has been made, the country still holds considerable potential to boost recycling rates especially in the packaging segment which utilizes more than half of the total plastic production. Recent EPR legislation combined with commitments from the private sector is working to tackle this issue while also preventing upstream waste.

Based on type, Polypropylene accounted for the highest revenue. PP is regarded as a safe plastic for food contact and is widely used in the packaging for products like yogurt and butter. Its high heat resistance also makes it a popular choice for packaging food that can be heated in the microwave. Certain surgical devices or implants are made from Polypropylene while its fibers are commonly woven into area rugs for both outdoor and indoor applications.

PET is also projected to experience significant growth. PET is considered safe for food and beverage contact. Similar to glass, it is a durable material which does not interact with food and is biologically stable. PET is not only lightweight and shatterproof but also easier to handle in comparison to glass. It is fully recyclable and is the leading recycled plastic in the country. With South Africa intensifying its recycling efforts, PET is projected to experience substantial growth.

Based on end-user industry, packaging holds the largest market share. Plastics SA indicates that packaging consumes nearly 55% of the total polymer production. The segment is dominated by the food sector with consumer demand being driven by a preference for lightweight and heat-resistant packaging. Urban areas see higher consumption of packaged goods influenced by factors such as convenience and increased disposable incomes. The growing trend is projected to fuel the need for plastic packaging across sectors such as food, personal care and household products.

Top Market Players

Some key companies in the market are Safripol, Nampak Limited, Polyoak Packaging, Mpact Limited, among others.

Key Developments

• • In 2024, a plastic manufacturing and recycling company based in Austria Alpla Group formed a strategic collaboration with Re-Purpose from South Africa which aims to improve PET recycling efforts in the country. Alpla plans to invest USD 65 million in building a PET reprocessing facility.
  • In 2024, Mauser Packaging Solutions acquired a business in Pinetown, South Africa, that manufactures and supplies plastic drums. The business was originally part of Nampak Products then acquired by Eliptotime PTY before being sold to Mauser.

Segments covered in the Report:

The South Africa Plastic Market has been segmented on the basis of type and end-use industry. Based on the type, the market is segmented into polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyamide, polystyrene, polyurethane and others. Based on the end-use industry, the market is segmented into automotive & transportation, packaging, consumer goods, infrastructure & construction, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, electrical & electronics, others.

 Market Segmentation

South Africa Plastic Market by Type

• • Polyethylene
  • Polypropylene
  • Polyethylene Terephthalate
  • Polyvinyl Chloride
  • Polyamide
  • Polycarbonate
  • Polyurethane
  • Polystyrene
  • Others

South Africa Plastic Market by End-Use Industry

• • Packaging
  • Automotive & Transportation
  • Infrastructure & Construction
  • Consumer Goods
  • Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
  • Electrical & Electronics
  • Others

South Africa Plastic Market Leading players (Option 1: Free 25% Customization – Profiles of 5 Additional Companies of your Choice)

• • Safripol
  • Nampak Limited
  • Polyoak Packaging
  • Mpact Limited