United States (US) Plastic Caps and Closures Market Size, Share, Growth, Analysis (2025 - 2030)

United States (US) Plastic Caps and Closures Market Trends

Demand for Packaged Food and Pharmaceutical Drugs

The escalating demand for packaged food and pharmaceutical products is significantly driving the plastic caps and closures market in the United States. According to the International Food Information Council, approximately 52% of Americans reported following a diet or eating pattern in 2022, marking a substantial increase from 39% in 2021. This dietary consciousness has led to increased consumption of packaged organic food, with forecasts indicating US organic packaged food consumption to reach USD 25,060.4 million by 2025, representing significant growth from previous years.

The pharmaceutical sector presents another substantial growth avenue for the market. According to IQVIA research, the medical and pharmaceutical industry was valued at USD 429 billion in 2022, growing at 5%. The market has witnessed increased demand for specialized packaging solutions, particularly for liquid medicines and gel-based products. This trend is further supported by pharmaceutical revenue growth, with domestic revenue reaching USD 364 billion in 2022, compared to USD 333 billion in 2021. The industry's focus on child-resistant packaging and tamper-evident features has led to innovations such as Berry Global's introduction of a child-resistant closure with digital technology in March 2023, specifically designed to enhance medication adherence.

Increasing Demand from Small and Medium-Scale End-User Industries

The proliferation of small and medium-sized businesses in the United States has created substantial opportunities for the caps and closures market. According to the United States Small Business Association's Office of Advocacy report, the country had 33.2 million small businesses in 2022, representing 99.9% of all businesses. The small business population demonstrated robust growth, increasing by 2.2% in 2022 compared to the previous year, with an impressive overall growth of 12.2% between 2017 and 2022. These businesses account for 97.3% of all US exporters and contribute 32.6% of the country's total known export value of USD 413.3 billion.

The growth in small-scale enterprises has been particularly notable in the cosmetics and personal care sectors, driven by regulatory support and market opportunities. In October 2023, the Food and Drug Administration published the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA), which provides special exemptions for small businesses from certain requirements, including GMP, registration, and product listing. This regulatory framework is expected to encourage more small-scale cosmetics enterprises, potentially increasing demand for plastic bottle caps and plastic closures. The trend is further supported by the rise in entrepreneurship, with 5.1 million new business applications filed in 2022, indicating a robust pipeline of potential end-users for packaging solutions.

Segment Analysis: By Raw Material

Polyethylene (PE) Segment in US Plastic Caps and Closures Market

Polyethylene (PE) has emerged as both the dominant and fastest-growing segment in the US plastic caps and closures market, commanding approximately 44% of the market share in 2024, valued at around 5.18 billion USD. PE's prominence can be attributed to its exceptional durability, chemical resistance, and cost-effectiveness compared to other materials. The material's versatility is demonstrated through its two main variants—high-density polyethylene (HDPE closure) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which are extensively used in water, dairy, and juice bottle closures. The segment's growth is driven by its excellent organoleptic properties, making it the preferred choice for water bottle closures, while its adaptability and durability make it ideal for various applications across the food and beverage industry. The increasing adoption of PE in sustainable packaging solutions and its superior barrier properties against moisture and chemicals further solidify its market position.

Remaining Segments in Raw Material Segmentation

The remaining segments in the market include Polypropylene (PP closure), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET closure), and other materials such as polystyrene and PVC. PP holds a significant position in the market due to its high melting point and superior rigidity, making it particularly suitable for hot-fill applications and microwave-safe containers. PET, known for its strong barrier properties against water vapor, gases, and dilute acids, continues to be crucial in food packaging applications. Other materials, including polystyrene and PVC, serve specific niche applications where their unique properties, such as clarity and specific barrier requirements, make them indispensable. These segments collectively contribute to the market's diversity, offering manufacturers a wide range of options to meet various packaging requirements across different industries.

Segment Analysis: By Type

Threaded Segment in US Plastic Caps and Closures Market

The threaded closure segment dominates the US plastic caps and closures market, commanding approximately 48% of the total market share in 2024. This segment's prominence is primarily driven by its widespread use in the beverage, automotive, and chemical industries for bottled water, engine oil bottles, and chemical liquid containers. Threaded plastic caps and closures are particularly valued for their ability to protect flared/flareless fittings and components from dirt, dents, and moisture. The segment's success is further bolstered by its versatility in thread types, including unified thread caps (UCC), metric threaded plugs (MST), and British Standard Pipe (BSP), making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Many vendors, such as Amcor PLC, MJS Packaging, and Aptar, offer diverse threaded caps and closures portfolios, with products ranging from 13mm to 26mm in size, catering to various end-user applications.

Child-Resistant Segment in US Plastic Caps and Closures Market

The child-resistant segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category in the US plastic caps and closures market, projected to grow at approximately 3% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. This growth is primarily driven by stringent regulations from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandating child-resistant packaging for certain products. The segment's expansion is further supported by the increasing demand for safety features in pharmaceutical packaging, particularly for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Major manufacturers are focusing on innovative designs that combine child-resistance with senior-friendly features, as exemplified by Berry Global's introduction of a child-resistant closure incorporating state-of-the-art digital technology for enhanced medication adherence. The segment's growth is also bolstered by its adoption in the cosmetics and household chemicals industries, where safety requirements are becoming increasingly stringent.

Remaining Segments in Plastic Caps and Closures Market by Type

The dispensing cap and unthreaded segments play crucial roles in the US plastic caps and closures market, each serving distinct applications and end-user requirements. The dispensing segment is particularly significant in personal care, health and beauty, and food and beverage industries, offering solutions that enable precise product dispensing while maintaining product integrity. These closures contribute to enhanced user experience through features like flip-tops and push-pull mechanisms. Meanwhile, the unthreaded segment serves essential functions in various industries, particularly in food, cosmetics, personal care, and hygiene products, where quick access and reusability are prioritized. Both segments continue to evolve with technological advancements and changing consumer preferences, driving innovation in design and functionality.

Segment Analysis: By Application

Beverage Segment in US Plastic Caps and Closures Market

The beverage closure segment dominates the US plastic caps and closures market, commanding approximately 37% market share in 2024. This significant market position is driven by the increasing consumption of bottled water, energy drinks, and carbonated beverages across the country. The segment's growth is particularly notable in sports cap and closures, which are experiencing rising demand due to the continued expansion of bottled water and energy drink markets. The beverage industry's emphasis on sustainability and consumer convenience has led to innovations in lightweight closures and tethered caps, with major players like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo implementing these solutions. The hot-fill process, which increases shelf life without preservatives, has also contributed to the segment's dominance by driving demand for specialized plastic caps and closures that can withstand higher temperatures while maintaining product integrity.

Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Segment in US Plastic Caps and Closures Market

The pharmaceutical closure segment is emerging as the fastest-growing segment in the US plastic caps and closures market, with a projected growth rate of approximately 3% from 2024 to 2029. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing demand for specialized packaging solutions that ensure product safety and integrity. The segment's expansion is supported by the rising need for child-resistant closures, tamper-evident packaging, and innovative dispensing systems for liquid medicines. The growth is further accelerated by the pharmaceutical industry's focus on developing sustainable and user-friendly packaging solutions, particularly for the aging population. Major manufacturers are investing in research and development to create advanced closure systems that comply with stringent regulatory requirements while improving patient compliance and product protection.

Remaining Segments in Application Market Segmentation

The remaining segments in the market include food, cosmetics and toiletries, household chemicals, and other applications, each serving distinct end-user needs. The food segment is characterized by the demand for airtight and tamper-evident closures for products like condiments, spreads, and seasonings. The cosmetics and toiletries segment focuses on premium and innovative dispensing solutions that enhance user experience while maintaining product integrity. The household chemicals segment emphasizes safety features and chemical resistance in closure designs. These segments collectively contribute to market diversity and drive innovation in closure technologies, with manufacturers developing specialized solutions to meet specific application requirements and evolving consumer preferences.