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Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in the UK - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2028)

IBISWorld IBISWorld London, United Kingdom Last Updated: August 2024 SIC UK-C2013

Revenue

£125.0bn

2024-25

£128.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£X.Xbn

Employees

195k

Businesses

4,193

Wages

£XX.Xbn

Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in the UK industry analysis

The Primary Form Plastic and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry has contended with stringent recycling targets and plastic bans, curbing sales in an already economically challenging environment. France's ban on plastic packaging for fresh produce and plastic taxes in Italy and Spain have spurred innovation in sustainable materials and thwarted demand for traditional plastics. Plastic producers have also confronted shrinking sales and profit amid lofty and persistent inflation and volatile oil prices. Over the five years through 2024, revenue is projected to fall at a compound annual rate of 4.9% to €125 billion, with revenue falling 5.8% in 2024 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • A shift toward eco-friendly materials has curbed primary plastics sales. This squeeze on traditional plastics is ramping up demand for innovative materials, raising costs for plastic manufacturers that are investing in innovation.
  • Polyethylene's versatility and cost-effectiveness make it a hit in the packaging industry. Its high recyclability makes it the go-to for manufacturers, especially amid swelling environmental concerns.
  • A few large companies dominate the industry. While some large companies dominate, there's still room for smaller manufacturers to compete effectively in niche segments.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

The market size of the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is £125.0bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in 2024?

There are 4,193 businesses in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What does the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include?

Polypropylene and Polyethylene are part of the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.

How competitive is the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.

Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Table of Contents

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Plastic and synthetic rubber producers face a stringent regulatory environment. Key regulations focus on environmental impact, including the EU's waste management directives and specific hazardous substances restrictions.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in the UK industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Recycling has boosted profit for plastic and rubber producers. Using recycled materials lowers raw material costs and helps producers meet consumer demand for eco-friendly products.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in the UK industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and bottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2024)
  • Business Growth (2024)
  • Job Growth (2024)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2024)
  • Imports/Demand (2024)
  • Exports/Revenue (2024)
  • Revenue per Employee (2024)
  • Wages/Revenue (2024)
  • Employees per Establishment (2024)
  • Average Wage (2024)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

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