The Austrian packaging industry is on the upswing. Rising sales and export quotas – especially for plastic, paper and metal packaging – reflect the dynamic market. The production of plastic packaging, for example, is on a steady growth path. According to the report Austria Plastic Packaging Industry Outlook 2022–2026, sales of plastic packaging in Austria are expected to reach 1.44 billion euros by 2026 – an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. Since 2013, the market has recorded annual growth of 3.4%. In 2021, Austria was overtaken by Belgium with sales of 1.34 billion euros. Italy, France and Spain follow behind.
The export trend for plastic packaging is also positive: by 2026, it is expected to rise to 940 million euros – an annual growth rate of 1.6% since 1999, with an average increase of 5.3% per year. In 2021, Austria was overtaken by Malaysia (864.65 million euros) in the export statistics. The USA, Germany and France took the next places.
Imports are forecast to reach a volume of 735.27 million euros in 2026 – an average increase of 1.6% per year. Since 1999, import demand has grown by 4.3% annually.
In the paper and cardboard sector, Austria produced around 3.9 million tonnes in 2022 – with a remarkable export ratio of 87.2%. The processing industry (e.g. folding cartons, corrugated cardboard packaging) achieved a production value of 3.05 billion euros. Of this, 77.8% was exported.
Other packaging materials are also recording solid growth: sales of €313.16 million are forecast for wooden packaging by 2025, and €436.31 million for metal packaging.
Last but not least, the packaging machinery sector is also benefiting from the positive trend: the Austrian market for machinery and equipment – which also includes packaging technology – is expected to contribute 9.91 billion euros to value added in 2025. An average annual growth rate of 0.59% is expected for the period 2025–2029.
In addition to economic success, the industry's ecological responsibility is increasingly becoming a focus. According to the ARA 2024 report, 1,021,800 tonnes of packaging and waste paper were collected separately in Austrian households and sent for recycling.
Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA) thus reports a stable collection level that significantly exceeds the current EU recycling targets in several material categories.
Recycling rates in European comparison:
• Paper packaging: Austria achieves a recycling rate of 80%, well above the EU target of 60% (from 2025: 75%).
• Metal packaging: At 75%, Austria is above the EU target of 50% (2025: 50% for aluminium, 70% for ferrous metals).
• Glass packaging: The rate is 86%, with an EU target of 60% (from 2025: 70%).
• Plastic packaging: Currently, 25% is recycled – above the current minimum target of 22.5%. However, the EU target will double to 50% from 2025.
Significant progress has been made through the joint collection of plastic and metal packaging via the yellow bin or yellow bag, which was introduced throughout Austria on 1 January 2025. This does not include plastic bottles and cans subject to a deposit, which are collected via a separate return system.
In Vienna, Lower Austria, Carinthia and Salzburg – where the changeover took place in 2023 – collection volumes rose by an average of 21% in the first year. ARA also expects a significant increase in packaging not subject to the single-use deposit in the other federal states.
This increase in efficiency is made possible by new sorting technologies that recognise different packaging materials and separate them by type. Since June 2024, the collected plastic and metal packaging has been sorted at the state-of-the-art ‘TriPlast’ sorting plant in Upper Austria and processed for recycling and the production of new packaging.
Since January 2025, a deposit system for single-use beverage packaging has been in place in Austria. The deposit is 25 cents per package and applies to cans and bottles with a volume between 0.1 and 3 litres – with exceptions for milk and mixed packaging, for example. The deposit is returned via vending machines in shops; consumers get their deposit back.
The collected containers will be sorted centrally and recycled. Manufacturers are obliged to use recycled material in the production of new packaging – a key component of the national circular economy strategy.
The new deposit system entails a number of obligations for companies. Anyone who places disposable packaging subject to a deposit – i.e. disposable bottles or cans with a volume of between 0.1 and 3 litres – on the market in Austria for the first time is obliged to register themselves and their products with the relevant central authority. In addition, the deposit must be correctly indicated, collected and paid. The packaging in question must also be clearly and visibly marked as subject to deposit so that it is clearly recognisable to consumers.
Foreign suppliers who place such packaging on the Austrian market are also subject to these requirements. In addition, they are obliged to appoint an authorised representative based in Austria who acts as a contact person and is responsible for compliance with the legal requirements. To make the transition easier for companies, a transition period until the end of 2025 applies to products filled before 1 April 2025. This regulation is intended to ensure that existing stocks can be sold off without violating the new provisions.
The Austrian packaging industry is a fast-growing and forward-looking sector. Strong production and export figures, an efficient mechanical engineering industry and high recycling rates underline the industry's performance. At the same time, new legal requirements such as the EU Packaging Act (PPWR) and changing consumer demands are driving the need for more sustainable solutions.
Author: Alexander Stark
