CPGs Tab Polystyrene as Public Enemy Number One for Next 3-5 Years

PMMI report highlights rising support for recyclable materials and sustainable packaging as a majority of CPGs plan to eliminate polystyrene use.

Brianna Guntz

Oct 31, 2025

PMMI Business Intelligence: 2025 The New Material World: Packaging’s Path Toward Sustainability

Polystyrene tops the list of materials CPG companies plan to phase out within the next three to five years, according to the 2025 Evolving Packaging Materials report by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, the producer of the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows.

Out of 20,000 data points collected from CPGs, contract manufacturers/packagers, and other end users who registered for PACK EXPO, 70% say they plan to shift away from polystyrene in their packaging. Other intended materials to reduce are foams (46%), PVC (38%), and PP rigid (28%).

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