Compostable Foodservice Packaging Market

Key Factors Shaping the Compostable Foodservice Packaging Market

Growth in the Foodservice Industry Owing to the On-the-Go Meal Trend

The foodservice industry is expected to witness growth during the forecast period, owing to the improvements in the economic conditions of developing countries, fast-paced lifestyles, and rapid urbanization. On-the-go meal trend is increasingly growing across a lot of countries.

Disposable service ware, which includes single-use disposable cups, meal trays, bowls, etc., is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in the market. The global compostable foodservice packaging growth is fuelled by the expansion in quick service restaurants, which rely heavily on compostable foodservice packaging.

Rising Consumer Demand for Pre-Packed Food to Propel the Market Growth

Global trend towards pre-packed food and foodservice packaging has increased plastic production and hence, a large number of retailers and foodservice industries are focusing on packaging that is environment compatible. Consumer preference for takeaway or ready-to-eat food is increasing, owing to changing lifestyles, growing disposable incomes, and rapid urbanization, especially in emerging economies.

Moreover, corporate work culture leading to out of home food habits is also strengthening the demand for compostable foodservice packaging. Considering the changing lifestyle of consumers, a large number of retailers and foodservice industries have evolved around the demand for compostable foodservice packaging solutions.

Compostable Plastics - A Solution to Decreasing Availability of Fossil Fuels for the Production of Plastics

In the current scenario, the production of fossil-based plastic costs lower than bio-based biodegradable plastics. Due to the limited availability and gradually depleting fossil fuels, prices of fossil-based resources are increasing continuously.

On the other hand, compostable plastic resins are produced completely out of organic matter without any involvement of fossil fuels in raw materials. Thus, depleting fossil-based resources for manufacturing plastic material, create an opportunity for the compostable plastic materials market.

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Heightening Consumption by Foodservice Outlets in Developing as well as Developed Regions

The Europe region is estimated to register steady growth during the forecast period. The bans on single-use plastic in Germany and the UK drive the compostable foodservice packaging market growth. The flourishing foodservice sector across Asia Pacific and the Middle Eastern region is offering a strong impetus to the demand for compostable foodservice packaging.

While easy recycling and composability prominently account for growing popularity of compostable foodservice packaging across developing regional markets, a consistent rise in the number of foodservice outlets, especially chain FSR and QSR, are more likely to contribute to the sales of compostable foodservice packaging in the near future.

The South Asia region is projected to clock a high CAGR during the forecast period. This is primarily attributed to growth in consumer eating habits. Most of the people in India eat out, particularly from street stalls and food trucks.

Compostable Foodservice Packaging Market Structure Analysis

• The global compostable foodservice packaging market represents a fairly consolidated competition landscape, where majority of the key players maintain their strategic focus on the development of partnerships and acquisitions, targeting a global footprint.
• The compostable foodservice packaging market has been relatively moderate in size, which remains a key factor for its dynamic competitive nature.
• Leading manufacturers of compostable foodservice packaging are currently prioritizing R&D and new product launches to resonate with the booming consumption of eco-friendly materials in Europe, North America, and East Asia.
• Product portfolio expansion to remain one of the key developmental strategies adopted by manufacturers of compostable foodservice packaging.
• For a stronger foothold in target markets, compostable foodservice packaging manufacturers will continue to rely on inorganic strategies, such as mergers and acquisitions.

Compostable Foodservice Packaging - Maximizing the Diversion of Waste from Landfills

Foodservice wares have been facing increasing scrutiny in recent years, in view of growing awareness regarding the ill-effects of single-use plastics and various materials on the environment. Consequently, producers, as well as consumers, are increasingly searching for alternatives that help reduce their carbon footprint and improve waste diversion.

Amid anti-plastic sentiments and plastic-reduction packaging targets set by numerous companies, compostable foodservice packaging was identified as a feasible solution and has witnessed steady adoption over the years. With ‘sustainability’ and ‘zero-waste’ gaining traction, compostable items – made of plant-based material that can decompose along with food waste, and turn into compost – continue to gain the attention of foodservice industry.

As landfills worldwide continue to fill up with increasing amount of waste produced from restaurants, catering, and home deliveries, Future Market Insights, in its new publication, turns the spotlight on ‘Compostable Foodservice Packaging Market’. The study also analyzes how evolving consumer trends and quest for innovative solutions will shape the future of the compostable foodservice packaging market.

Focus on Sustainable Packaging Creating Opportunities

Increasing number of foodservice establishments that were traditionally considered as dine-in eateries are now offering delivery and catering options to meet the needs of today’s on-the-go consumers. Concurrently with growing pressures on adopting sustainable materials and incorporating an effective food waste management program, compostable foodservice packaging has been gaining rising momentum in the industry.

In the light of global efforts to replace unsustainable materials, research has been undergoing for new forms of compostable packaging including straws and cups designed from seaweed, bowls made of mushrooms, and others. Moreover, demand for high-value disposable items from quick service restaurants (QSRs) to maintain food temperature and minimize the leakage or spillage is likely to work in tandem with rapid adoption of compostable foodservice packaging.

While compostable foodservice wares are great for the environment, they require a specific setting for breaking down. In addition, the organic recycling businesses have been facing several obstacles in terms of ambiguous regulatory scenario, performance capabilities, and cost factors, which continues to impede the widespread adoption of compostable foodservice packaging. Further, limited availability of compost facilities in the low- and mid-income countries has added to reluctance of incorporating compostable materials in foodservice packaging.

Tracking Evolving End Users’ Preference as the Market Expands

Designed-in recyclability’ or ‘design for recycling’ is a new sustainable trend which is expected to dominate new product development (NPD) in the coming years. Compostable foodservice packaging, made from plant-based materials, is designed to be recycled with food waste, while conventional packaging cannot be recycled if contaminated with food.

While Europe accounts for greater opportunities for compostable packaging due to strong foodservice industry, North America continues to complement market growth, owing to wide acceptance of certified compostable foodservice ware that meets regulatory requirements. Newer opportunities abound for stakeholders in Asia Pacific, considering the escalating number of foodservice outlets, sprung in working population, and preferential shifts towards dining out.

Notable Trends Influencing the Market Growth

Compostable packaging does not require petroleum during production, as it is made completely from organic matter and has no plastic in it. Subsequently, a significant depletion in fossil-based resources for manufacturing plastic materials is likely to create sustained opportunities for the market stakeholders. However, as the price of compostable plastic resins is relatively high as compared to fossil-based resins, manufacturers have been put to test.

Therefore, significant focus has been placed towards innovative production technologies that could aid in manufacturing cost-effective compostable plastic resins. Realizing the negative environmental impact of conventional packaging, a number of market players are constantly investing their time and resources in the development of more circular packaging solutions.

Despite aligning with ‘going green’ trend, compostable foodservice packaging is expected to solve a part of tremendous food waste and packaging issues in the industry. As impact of notable trends such as ‘grab-and-go’ and ‘ready-to-eat’ has been noticeable across foodservice industry, market players will need to pay attention towards compostable films and cover sheets that can not only allow consumers to see the food inside but also act against the premature degradation of food.

Moving Forward: The Value of Compostable Foodservice Packaging

As consumers worldwide are increasingly looking for companies and brands that take the lead on environmental issues and promote a host of solutions, packaging industry has been undergoing a sea change in recent years. Compostable foodservice packaging sector in particular, is spectating massive investments in R&D activities to be in parallel with demand for affordable sustainable solutions in foodservice sector.

Uncertain regulatory framework has also brought on developing products that meet all kinds of standards. In addition to extending product portfolio, stakeholders in the compostable foodservice packaging remain inclined towards M&A activities to strengthen their position across different geographies as well as to develop innovative solutions to solve current challenges in the market.

Key Segment

By Packaging Type

• Plates
• Trays
• Bowls
• Cups
• Clamshell
• Cutlery
• Pouches & Sachets
• Others

By Material

• Plastic
  • PLA
  • PHA
  • PBS
  • PBAT
  • Starch Blends
  • Others
• Paper & Paperboard
  • Coated Unbleached
  • Molded Fiber
  • Other Grades
• Others

By End Use

• Chain Restaurants
• Non-chain Restaurants
• Chain Café
• Non-Chain Café
• Delivery Catering
• Independent Stalls & Kiosks
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia
• East Asia
• Oceania
• Middle East and Africa