Plastic Injection Moulding Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Raw Material Type (Polypropylene, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polystyrene, Polyethylene, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polycarbonate, Polyamide, Other), Application (Packaging, Building and Construction, Consumer Goods, Electronics, Automotive and Transportation, Healthcare, Other), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 13.61 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.14%
Fastest Growing Segment	Healthcare
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 17.36 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Plastic Injection Moulding Market will grow from USD 13.61 Billion in 2025 to USD 17.36 Billion by 2031 at a 4.14% CAGR. Plastic injection moulding is a manufacturing process in which molten polymer materials are injected into a mould cavity to form complex, durable components with high precision. The market is primarily supported by robust demand from the automotive, packaging, and healthcare sectors, where the technology’s ability to facilitate mass production at a low cost per unit is essential for profitability. This industrial reliance on the technology remains strong; according to the Plastics Industry Association, in 2025, injection molding machinery shipments in North America increased by 4.2% in the third quarter compared to the same period in the previous year, signaling continued capital investment in production capacity.

Despite this growth, a significant challenge impedes market expansion: the volatility of raw material prices coupled with intensifying environmental regulations. Manufacturers face ongoing uncertainty regarding the cost of resin feedstocks, which are often tied to fluctuating crude oil prices, making long-term financial planning difficult. Furthermore, stringent global mandates aimed at reducing single-use plastics and plastic waste force companies to divert substantial resources toward developing biodegradable alternatives or circular recycling systems, thereby straining operational margins and potentially delaying facility expansions.

Key Market Drivers

Rising demand for lightweight automotive components is a primary catalyst for the global plastic injection moulding market, particularly as the automotive sector accelerates its transition toward electric vehicles (EVs). Manufacturers are increasingly replacing metal parts with high-strength engineering plastics to reduce vehicle weight, which is critical for extending battery range and meeting stringent emission standards. This structural shift has triggered a surge in orders for large-tonnage and two-platen injection moulding machines capable of producing complex automotive parts. According to Haitian International, March 2025, in the 'Annual Results 2024', the company delivered over 53,000 machines in 2024, representing a 35.5% growth year-over-year, largely supported by the robust expansion of new energy vehicle production.

The expansion of the packaging industry for food and pharmaceuticals further propels market growth, driven by the necessity for cost-effective, hygienic, and mass-produced containers. As consumption of packaged goods rises, the demand for resin and high-speed moulding equipment intensifies to maintain supply chain efficiency. According to the American Chemistry Council, February 2025, in the 'Resin Production and Sales Statistics', year-to-date production of major plastic resins in the U.S. reached 102.2 billion pounds in 2024, a 5.7% increase compared to the previous year, reflecting this sustained material appetite. Consequently, converters are ramping up capacity; according to the Plastics Industry Association, November 2025, injection molding machinery shipments surged by 30.0% in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the preceding quarter, underscoring the sector's operational momentum.

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Key Market Challenges

The concurrent pressures of raw material price volatility and intensifying environmental regulations constitute a formidable barrier to the expansion of the global plastic injection moulding market. Manufacturers are increasingly burdened by the financial unpredictability of resin feedstocks, which fluctuate with crude oil markets, while simultaneously facing capital-intensive mandates to adopt circular economy practices. This dual strain forces companies to divert significant capital expenditure away from capacity expansion and technological upgrades toward compliance measures and the integration of biodegradable material supply chains. Consequently, operational margins are eroded, and long-term investment strategies are frequently paused due to the uncertainty surrounding future regulatory landscapes and input costs.

The tangible impact of these economic and regulatory headwinds is evident in significant regional downturns that affect the broader global ecosystem. According to Plastics Europe, in 2025, the European plastics industry reported that turnover dropped to €398 billion, a 13% decline from 2022 levels, largely attributed to high production costs and the urgent resource demands of circularity transitions. This contraction illustrates how the necessity of meeting stringent environmental standards, coupled with volatile cost structures, directly impedes financial performance and restricts the industry's overall growth trajectory.

Key Market Trends

The transition from hydraulic to all-electric injection molding machines represents a fundamental technological shift, driven by the need for higher energy efficiency, precision, and cleanliness in manufacturing environments. Unlike hydraulic systems, all-electric machines utilize servo motors that consume significantly less power and offer superior repeatability, making them ideal for high-tolerance applications where contamination risks must be minimized. This industry-wide pivot is exemplified by major machinery OEMs aggressively restructuring their production lines to phase out older, less efficient technologies in favor of electric platforms. According to Plastics News, September 2025, in the 'Sumitomo (SHI) Demag to drop hydraulic press production' article, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag announced it would discontinue hydraulic machine production to focus exclusively on all-electric models, a decision made after the company recorded sales of 105 billion yen in February 2025.

Concurrently, there is a strategic shift toward nearshoring and localized supply chains as manufacturers seek to mitigate global logistics risks and reduce lead times for regional markets. Companies are increasingly establishing production hubs closer to end-users in North America and Southeast Asia to bypass tariff barriers and ensure supply continuity during geopolitical disruptions. This decentralization strategy is generating substantial financial growth for equipment providers who are swiftly expanding their international manufacturing footprints to support these local ecosystems. According to Yizumi Holdings Co., Ltd., April 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', the company's overseas operating revenue reached RMB 1.395 billion, representing a 27.54% year-on-year increase primarily attributed to the operational ramp-up of new manufacturing subsidiaries in Mexico and Thailand.

Segmental Insights

The Healthcare segment is currently positioned as the fastest-growing area in the Global Plastic Injection Moulding Market, driven by the expanding need for medical devices and consumables. This growth is primarily sustained by the ability of injection moulding to deliver high-volume production of precise components, such as syringes and diagnostic tools, at a competitive cost. Additionally, rigorous safety mandates from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration necessitate the use of high-performance, biocompatible plastics. These regulatory requirements reinforce the adoption of injection moulding technologies to ensure product consistency and safety in medical applications.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a commanding position in the Global Plastic Injection Moulding Market, primarily driven by substantial demand from the packaging, medical, and automotive industries. The region possesses a distinct competitive advantage due to the abundant availability of low-cost feedstock resulting from domestic shale gas exploration. Additionally, agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency enforce stringent standards for material sustainability and waste reduction, which encourages manufacturers to innovate and produce durable, high-quality components. This favorable economic environment, combined with a robust industrial manufacturing base, secures North America's status as a premier market leader.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, a German machinery manufacturer presented a breakthrough sustainable processing method at the Fakuma trade fair, demonstrating the injection molding of "paper pearls." Developed in collaboration with a paper packaging producer, this innovative process allowed for the creation of products using a material with a fibre content of over 50 percent, eliminating the need for petroleum-based plastics. The demonstration utilized a standard electric injection molding machine to produce furniture connectors, proving that existing machinery could be adapted for bio-based materials. This development marked a significant step forward in resource-saving manufacturing and the expansion of eco-friendly applications in the molding market.
• In July 2024, an Austrian injection molding machine manufacturer significantly expanded its capabilities by unveiling the world's largest technical centre machine at its facility in St. Valentin. The newly installed duo 5500 combi M featured an immense clamping force of 55,000 kN and was designed to support the development of extra-large plastic components. This massive equipment allowed for the testing of molds weighing up to 150 tonnes and shot weights of up to 42 kg. The investment was aimed at fostering collaboration with partners to develop next-generation technologies for the automotive and technical moulding industries, particularly for large-scale structural parts.
• In May 2024, a global provider of injection molding equipment launched its next-generation system, the HyPET 6e, at the NPE 2024 trade show. This new platform was engineered to set updated standards in sustainable molding by integrating the machine, mold, auxiliaries, and real-time remote monitoring into a single, cohesive unit. The system was designed to deliver superior capability for processing recycled PET (rPET) and achieving industry-leading energy efficiency. By optimizing the balance between high throughput and quality, the company aimed to support the circular economy and reduce production costs for manufacturers in the beverage and packaging sectors.
• In February 2024, a leading manufacturer of all-electric injection molding machines unveiled a revolutionary micro-molding solution at the MD&M West exhibition in Anaheim, California. The company showcased a new system designed to meet the high-precision demands of the medical and electronics sectors. This innovation featured an all-electric drive combined with a specialized injection unit capable of handling extremely small shot weights with high repeatability. The launch highlighted the organization's focus on advancing technology for miniaturized components, addressing the growing market requirement for intricate and microscopic plastic parts used in critical medical devices and high-tech applications.

Key Market Players

• Magna International Inc.
• Toshiba Corporation
• DOW Inc.
• LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
• HTI Plastics, Inc.
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• Valder Kunststoffverarbeitungs GmbH
• Huntsman Corporation
• Coastal Plastic Molding Inc.
• BASF SE

By Raw Material Type	By Region
Packaging Building and Construction Consumer Goods Electronics Automotive and Transportation Healthcare Other	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Plastic Injection Moulding Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Plastic Injection Moulding Market, By Raw Material Type:

• Packaging
• Building and Construction
• Consumer Goods
• Electronics
• Automotive and Transportation
• Healthcare
• Other

• Plastic Injection Moulding Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE