Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 188.34 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 272.14 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 7.60 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia |
| Largest Market | Asia |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players.webp)
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Analysis
The Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 188.34 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 272.14 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7.60% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
- The market for eco-friendly food packaging is experiencing a significant increase in demand. This growth is driven by several factors, including heightened environmental awareness among consumers, stricter regulations on single-use plastics, and corporate sustainability initiatives. Manufacturers are responding by developing innovative packaging solutions using biodegradable materials, recyclable plastics, and compostable alternatives.
- Manufacturers and consumers increasingly demand environmentally friendly food packaging due to rising energy and transportation costs and increased awareness of environmental issues. This trend is driven by several factors, including consumer preferences for sustainable products, regulatory pressures to reduce plastic waste, and corporate sustainability initiatives.
- Manufacturers are responding by developing innovative packaging solutions using biodegradable materials, recycled content, and designs that minimise resource use. Consumers are increasingly willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly packaging options, recognising the long-term environmental benefits. As a result, the food packaging industry is experiencing a shift towards more sustainable practices, with companies investing in research and development to create packaging that meets both functional requirements and environmental standards.
- The produce packaging market is driven by the growing demand for consumer convenience and increasing awareness of healthier lifestyles. Packaging manufacturers are adapting to evolving customer preferences, mainly catering to busy working professionals seeking convenience in everyday products such as fruits and organic foods. Additionally, producers are now considering the post-use disposal of packaging, leading to developing more sustainable packaging solutions.
- Packaging encompasses many materials, including plastic bottles, metal cans, food wrappings, and corrugated cardboard boxes. Understanding the production and disposal of these materials is essential for making economically and environmentally sound decisions. By applying sustainable materials management principles to this sector, the U.S. government takes initiatives to reduce environmental impacts while recovering potential economic value. Encouraging a shift towards lightweight or more efficient packaging materials helps companies reduce costs and decrease waste generation upon disposal. Additionally, recovering packaging discards is crucial, as these items often have high commodity value, and recycling them prevents their accumulation in landfills.\
- Eco-friendly, sustainable packaging presents several challenges for businesses. Developing such packaging can be costly and complex, often requiring significant investment in research and development. Many companies, tiny businesses, need more resources to undertake this transition. Switching to sustainable materials can increase production costs and operational expenses.
- These financial barriers make it difficult for businesses to adopt environmentally friendly packaging solutions despite their potential long-term benefits. The initial costs of implementing sustainable packaging can be substantial, including purchasing new equipment, retraining staff, and potentially redesigning products to accommodate new packaging materials.
- Moreover, the availability and consistency of sustainable materials can be a concern. Some eco-friendly alternatives may offer a different level of protection or durability than traditional packaging, potentially leading to increased product damage or waste. This can result in additional costs and customer dissatisfaction.
- Furthermore, the regulatory landscape surrounding sustainable packaging is complex and evolving. Businesses must navigate various environmental regulations and certifications, which can vary by region or country. Compliance with these regulations often requires additional resources and expertise, complicating the transition to sustainable packaging solutions.
Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Trends
Paper and Paper board Segment to Hold Significant Market Share
- Paper and paperboard packaging is widely used in the food industry to protect food from contaminants and maintain freshness. These packaging materials offer a range of benefits, including versatility, compatibility with various food products, and customisation options to enhance brand appeal. Paper-based packaging can be easily moulded into different shapes and sizes, accommodating diverse food items from dry goods to fresh produce. Additionally, it provides an excellent surface for printing, allowing for clear labelling and attractive designs that help products stand out on store shelves.
- The food packaging industry continuously evolves to meet consumer demands and regulatory requirements. Paper and paperboard packaging solutions are increasingly being developed with enhanced barrier properties to protect against moisture, grease, and oxygen, extending the shelf life of food products. Manufacturers also focus on creating functional and environmentally friendly packaging, using recycled materials and developing compostable options.
- The packaging market is experiencing significant innovations to meet the growing demand for sustainable food packaging solutions. This includes the development of bio-based coatings for paper packaging, which can replace traditional plastic-based barriers. Additionally, intelligent packaging technologies are being integrated into paper-based solutions, allowing for features such as temperature monitoring and freshness indicators. These advancements improve the performance of paper packaging and align with the increasing consumer preference for eco-friendly packaging options in the food industry.
- Companies worldwide are innovating paper-based packaging solutions in response to the growing global food consumption. This trend is driven by increasing population, changing dietary habits, and rising packaged food demand. Paper-based packaging offers sustainable alternatives to traditional materials, aligning with consumer preferences for eco-friendly options. These innovations aim to improve food preservation, extend shelf life, and reduce environmental impact while meeting the challenges of expanding food markets across various regions.
- For instance, in May 2024, Tops, a Central Retail food retail division, introduced eco-friendly packaging for its chilled meat products. This initiative aims to promote sustainability while maintaining product quality. The new packaging, made from biodegradable plant-based materials, preserves the meat's flavour and freshness while ensuring food safety. This change represents a shift away from traditional plastic packaging.
- Further, In 2023, total retail and food service sales in the United States reached USD 8.33 trillion, growing from USD 6.22 trillion in 2020. This significant retail and food service market increase is a crucial factor driving the demand for eco-friendly food packaging. The substantial growth in sales over these three years indicates a robust consumer market, which in turn influences packaging trends. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, businesses are responding by adopting sustainable packaging solutions to meet this growing demand. Expanding the retail and food service sectors also increases packaging requirements, fueling the need for eco-friendly alternatives to traditional packaging materials.
Asia is Expected to Witness Significant Growth
- Asia has emerged as a significant market for sustainable food packaging, particularly in densely populated nations with developing economies such as China and India. The demand for food services is rapidly expanding, driven by urbanisation, rising disposable incomes, and changing consumer lifestyles. This growth has increased the need for efficient and environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
- The adoption of sustainable packaging is gaining momentum across various sectors of the food industry in Asia. Manufacturers, retailers, and food service providers increasingly recognise the importance of eco-friendly packaging options to meet consumer preferences and comply with evolving environmental regulations. This shift towards sustainability encompasses many materials and technologies, including biodegradable plastics, compostable packaging, and innovative designs that minimise waste.
- As awareness of environmental issues continues to grow among Asian consumers, the demand for sustainable food packaging is expected to accelerate. This trend is likely to peak during the forecast period, with market analysts anticipating significant growth in volume and value. Expanding sustainable packaging solutions in Asia presents opportunities for local and international companies to innovate and capture market share in this rapidly evolving sector.
- Plastic has been a crucial component of the packaging industry, serving as a cornerstone of consumer convenience culture. Due to their favourable cost-to-performance ratio, plastics have replaced traditional packaging materials like paper boards, glass, and metals in many food sector applications. This shift has been driven by plastic's versatility, durability, and ability to preserve food freshness for extended periods.
- Plastic packaging offers benefits such as lightweight properties, which reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions. It also provides excellent barrier properties against moisture, oxygen, and contaminants, ensuring product safety and extending shelf life. Additionally, the introduction of recycled plastic is emerging as a significant trend in regional packaging, addressing growing environmental concerns and aligning with sustainability initiatives. This trend reflects a broader industry shift towards circular economy principles, where packaging materials are designed for reuse, recycling, or composting, reducing waste and environmental impact.
- Governments in the region, including India, are addressing concerns about single-use packaging waste. India has implemented legislation to minimise plastic waste, mandating recycling and promoting eco-friendly alternatives. The food services industry is shifting towards paper-based and sustainable packaging options, with significant entities like Indian Railways and Air India leading by example. Many brands are now adopting recyclable, reusable, and compostable packaging solutions in response to regulatory pressures and changing consumer demands.
- Japan's food services packaging industry is experiencing a significant shift towards sustainable packaging solutions. This trend is driven by increasing environmental awareness and regulatory pressures. In 2023, recycled plastics achieved the highest sales volume among recycled products, reaching approximately 431.8 thousand metric tons. This figure underscores the growing importance of recycled materials in the Japanese packaging sector.
- Despite collection and recycling efforts for materials such as plastics, paper, PET bottles, and glass, Japan maintains one of the lowest recycling rates among OECD countries. This paradox highlights the challenges faced by the country in implementing effective recycling programs and infrastructure. \The push for sustainable packaging in Japan will continue, driven by consumer demand, corporate sustainability goals, and potential future regulations.
Eco-friendly Food Packaging Industry Overview
The eco-friendly food packaging market is fragmented, with global players like Amcor Group, Sealed Air Corporation, Berry Global Inc., Smurfit Westrock plc, and more vying for attention in this contested space. This market is characterised by low product differentiation, growing levels of product penetration, and high levels of competition.
- July 2024 - Berry Global, a global packaging company, has collaborated with Wells Enterprises, a US-based ice cream manufacturer, to introduce a sustainable packaging solution for Blue Bunny Twist pints. The single-serve, freezer-grade pints are now available at major US retailers, including Kroger, Walmart, Food Lion, and Albertsons. The new Twist pints are manufactured using widely recyclable polypropylene (PP) and feature a high-density polyethene (HDPE) lid, improving the recyclability of traditional ice cream packaging. This transition from plastic-lined, paper-based boards to recyclable materials marks a significant advancement in sustainable packaging for the ice cream industry.
- January 2024 - SEE, a global packaging solutions provider, has developed a new biobased, industrial compostable tray for protein packaging. This CRYOVAC brand tray, designed to meet customer sustainability goals, has been successfully tested with existing food processing equipment. Made from food-contact grade resin, the tray is USDA-certified and contains 54% biobased content derived from renewable wood cellulose. It is designed to decompose into organic material without leaving toxic residue. This innovation is an alternative to traditional expanded polystyrene (EPS) trays, commonly used for fresh poultry and red meat packaging, which are neither biodegradable nor recyclable.
Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Leaders
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Amcor Group
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Sealed Air Corporation
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Berry Global Inc.
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Smurfit Westrock plc
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Huhtamaki Oyj
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market News
- August 2024: Pakka, a manufacturer of compostable packaging solutions, has announced its second collaboration with Brawny Bear, a nutrition company specialising in date-based healthy food products. This partnership has resulted in the launch of Date Energy Bars, India's first energy bars packaged in compostable flexible packaging. Brawny Bear produces these new Date Energy Bars, which are packaged using Pakka Limited's innovative compostable flexible packaging. This product offers a healthy snack option while addressing the increasing concern of packaging waste in India.
- April 2024: Global packaging provider Ranpak has introduced two eco-friendly packaging solutions in North America, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability. These paper-based products, ClimeLiner Plus and NatureMailer padded mailers are designed to be 100% curbside recyclable. Part of Ranpak's RecyCold portfolio, the ClimeLiner Plus liners offer up to 72 hours of thermal protection and are considered safe for secondary food contact. These products provide a sustainable option for food, beverage, and healthcare companies to transport temperature-sensitive goods.
Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET INSIGHTS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.2.1 Threat of New Entrants
4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
4.2.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.2.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis
4.4 Industry Regulation, Policy and Standards
5. MARKET DYNAMICS
5.1 Market Drivers
5.1.1 Government Initiatives Promoting Eco-Friendly Packaging Driving Market Growth
5.1.2 Shift In Consumer Preferences Toward Recyclable And Eco-Friendly Materials
5.2 Market Restraints
5.2.1 High Recycling Costs for Sustainable Foodservice Packaging Materials May Impede Market Growth
6. MARKET SEGMENTATION
6.1 Paper & Paperboard
6.1.1 Plastic
6.1.2 Metal
6.1.3 Glass
6.2 By Food Products
6.2.1 Bakery & Confectionery Products
6.2.2 Convenience Foods
6.2.3 Meat, Fish, And Poultry
6.2.4 Fruits & Vegetables
6.2.5 Dairy Products
6.2.6 Other Food Products
6.3 By Packaging Type
6.3.1 Recycled Content Packaging
6.3.2 Degradable Packaging Market
6.3.3 Reusable Packaging
6.4 By Geography ***
6.4.1 North America
6.4.1.1 United States
6.4.1.2 Canada
6.4.2 Europe
6.4.2.1 Germany
6.4.2.2 United Kingdom
6.4.2.3 France
6.4.2.4 Spain
6.4.3 Asia
6.4.3.1 China
6.4.3.2 India
6.4.3.3 Japan
6.4.3.4 Australia and New Zealand
6.4.4 Latin America
6.4.4.1 Brazil
6.4.4.2 Mexico
6.4.4.3 Columbia
6.4.5 Middle East and Africa
6.4.5.1 United Arab Emirates
6.4.5.2 Saudi Arabia
6.4.5.3 South Africa
7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
7.1 Company Profiles
7.1.1 Mondi plc
7.1.2 Amcor Group
7.1.3 Sealed Air Corporation
7.1.4 Smurfit Westrock plc
7.1.5 Huhtamaki Oyj
7.1.6 Berry Global Inc.
7.1.7 Winpak Ltd.
7.1.8 Crown Holdings, Inc.
7.1.9 Billerud AB
7.1.10 International Paper.
- *List Not Exhaustive
8. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
9. FUTURE OUTLOOK
Eco-friendly Food Packaging Industry Segmentation
Eco-friendly food packaging refers to packaging materials and designs that minimise environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. These packaging solutions are typically made from renewable, recyclable, or biodegradable materials. They aim to reduce waste, conserve resources, and lower carbon emissions associated with production, transportation, and disposal processes. Eco-friendly food packaging often incorporates sustainable practices such as using recycled content, minimising material usage, and designing for easy recycling or composting.
The eco-friendly food packaging market is segmented by material (paper and paperboard, plastic, metal, glass), by application (bakery confectionery products, convenience foods, meat, fish, and poultry, fruits and vegetables, dairy products and other food products) by packaging type (recycled content packaging, degradable packaging market, reusable packaging), by geography (North America [United States, Canada], Europe [Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain and Rest of Europe], Asia [China, Japan, India, Australia and New Zealand, Rest of Asia Pacific], Latin America [Brazil, Mexico, Columbia, Rest of Latin America], the Middle East and Africa [United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Rest of Middle East and Africa]) The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value in (USD) for all the above segments.
| Paper & Paperboard | |
| Plastic | |
| Metal | |
| Glass |
| By Food Products | |
| Bakery & Confectionery Products | |
| Convenience Foods | |
| Meat, Fish, And Poultry | |
| Fruits & Vegetables | |
| Dairy Products | |
| Other Food Products |
| By Packaging Type | |
| Recycled Content Packaging | |
| Degradable Packaging Market | |
| Reusable Packaging |
| By Geography *** | ||||||
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Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Research FAQs
How big is the Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market?
The Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market size is expected to reach USD 188.34 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 7.60% to reach USD 272.14 billion by 2029.
What is the current Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market size?
In 2024, the Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market size is expected to reach USD 188.34 billion.
Who are the key players in Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market?
Amcor Group, Sealed Air Corporation, Berry Global Inc., Smurfit Westrock plc and Huhtamaki Oyj are the major companies operating in the Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market?
Asia is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market?
In 2024, the Asia accounts for the largest market share in Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market.
What years does this Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market size was estimated at USD 174.03 billion. The report covers the Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Eco-friendly Food Packaging Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Eco-friendly Food Packaging market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Eco-friendly Food Packaging analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2024 to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
