JRC Releases Updated Model for Packaging Materials in Europe

On July 6, 2026, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) unveiled its revised methodology for estimating packaging materials across EU Member States. This model encompasses food and beverage packaging, as well as home care, personal care, and pet food products, covering approximately 75% of the European consumer packaging market. The estimates pertain to 19 Member States, representing over 97% of the EU population, for the years 2011 to 2025.

The report indicates that around 42.8 million tonnes of packaging were introduced to the market in 2024. Glass packaging dominated by mass, accounting for 32.3 million tonnes, followed by plastics at 5.9 million tonnes, metals at 2.3 million tonnes, and paper-based packaging, including liquid cartons, at 2.1 million tonnes. Mixed-material packaging constituted a smaller fraction.

While the overall quantity of packaging remained stable during the study period, plastic packaging saw an increase of approximately 11% in absolute terms, primarily driven by the growth of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) packaging. The average plastic packaging usage was nearly 14 kg per capita annually across the examined countries, excluding mixed materials containing plastic.

The analysis revealed significant disparities in packaging usage across Europe, with plastic packaging per capita ranging from about 8 kg in Sweden to nearly 16 kg in Germany. The dominance of packaging materials varied by country and product category, with PET typically representing 55% of total plastic packaging by mass, followed by polypropylene at 39%.

The report also explored potential shifts in packaging material usage for products like milk, bottled water, juices, and carbonated soft drinks. Notable trends included an increase in PET for bottled water in Italy and Slovakia, alongside a decline in glass, while Bulgaria exhibited a rise in glass usage relative to PET. These trends may reflect changing consumer preferences rather than intentional material substitutions by manufacturers.

The JRC’s methodology aims to assist Member States in reporting packaging waste quantities in compliance with EU legislation, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Furthermore, the dataset is expected to aid researchers in understanding the distribution of food contact materials across various product categories and countries, facilitating future assessments of chemical exposure from food packaging.