Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market

Key Points Covered in Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market Study

• Market estimates and forecast 2015-2031
• Key drivers and restraints impacting market growth
• Segment-wise, Country-wise, and Region-wise Analysis
• Competition Mapping and Benchmarking
• Market Share Analysis
• Key Product Innovations and Regulatory Climate
• COVID-19 Impact on Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market and How to Navigate
• Recommendation on Key Winning Strategies

2015-2020 Global Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market Outlook Compared to 2021-2031 Forecast

The global molded fiber pulp packaging market is driven by increasing demand for protective and sustainable packaging solutions. According to FMI, the molded fiber pulp packaging market is anticipated to rise at 5.1% CAGR between 2021 and 2031 as compared to 3.2% CAGR registered during 2015-2020.

Producers of fast-moving consumer goods have increased their focus on offering hassle free, green packaging solutions, while providing more value to end users. Technological advancements have led to superior techniques for printing and coating on molded fiber pulp products.

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The use of bio-based coatings is trending in terms of paper-based packaging, as it helps to keep up with sustainability objectives while also enhancing moisture resistance and printability.

Besides this, the market is expected to gain from implementation of impulse drying as a commercially viable option. The technique also helps in reducing the overall cost of manufacturing and energy consumption. The use of such advanced techniques is a noteworthy trend aiding expansion of the molded fiber pulp packaging market.

The use of 3D printed mold tooling also has emerged as a prominent trend. The use of such tools not only reduces the cost of operations, but also reduces the procurement timeframe significantly. In addition to this, manufacturers are also using virtual representation techniques to create prototypes of packaging solutions.

Driven by aforementioned trends, molded fiber pulp packaging is expected to carve a niche in the packaging industry and is estimated to create an opportunity of US$ 5.3 Bn, during the assessment period. FMI projects that rising spending on protective packaging will remain a chief growth driver through the coming years.

How is the Organized Retail Sector Contributing to Growth?

The retail industry is gradually transitioning, steered by factors such as omni-channel supply chains, sustainable packaging needs, in addition to changing demand for eco-friendly and recycled packaging.

Omni-channel supply chains provide real-time and single view of consumers as they move from one channel to another. Primary packaging has been restructured by using molded pulp fiber to provide protection regardless of shipping mediums.

How is Demand for Primary Packaging Affecting Growth?

Molded fiber pulp, a widely accepted material for primary packaging and has found application in protective packaging due to its superior vibration dampening and cushioning properties. Packagers operating in the molded fiber pulp packaging market are producing trays, shipping dunnage, and outer packaging, creating a broad scope of application.

Molded fiber pulp packaging has emerged as a cost-effective packaging solution, which can be attributed to its low disposal costs, minimum inventory and warehousing costs, and easy packaging process.

What is the Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on the Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market?

Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, most countries were forced to set restrictions on all types of manufacturing and supply chains. Only essential commodities such as food and beverages and pharmaceutical supplies were allowed to be manufactured and supplied.

Demand for molded fiber pulp packaging grew in the food and beverage and healthcare industry. Increasing usage of molded fiber pulp packaging as a protective packaging solution prevents product tampering.

Due to these factors, the demand for molded fiber pulp packaging was not impacted heavily and that resulted in the growth of the overall molded fiber pulp packaging market.

Country-wise Insights

How Will Canada Contribute to the Growth of the Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market?

North America is the third largest market for molded fiber pulp packaging, as per the report by Future Market Insights. In the latest analysis, Canada is anticipated to hold 12% of total sales in North American till the year 2031. Several manufacturers are seeking great opportunities and are focusing on business expansion.

For instance, manufacturers of molded fiber pulp packaging such as Hartmann Canada Inc., a leading egg packaging manufacturer, invested around US$ 15.8 Mn to expand production capacity at the company’s existing factory in Missouri, USA, during 2019-2020.

The company anticipates that this investment will encourage Hartmann’s position in the North America market and will serve booming demand, which is driven by the ongoing transition from polystyrene and plastic packaging to molded fiber pulp packaging.

What are the Prospects of Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Sales in the U.K. Market?

The U.K. molded fiber pulp packaging market is foreseen to grow at a 4.5% CAGR over the upcoming decade. The rise in consumption of food & beverage items is expected to rise, owing to the changing consumer trends on eating healthy foods, which has positively impacted the molded fiber pulp packaging market.

Moreover, the European Commission is engaged in promoting the reuse of packaging waste. According to European Directive 94/62/EC for Packaging & Packaging Waste, the products with EU compostability certificate EN13432 are regarded as compostable packaging products. Therefore, sustainability development has also pulled the demand of molded fiber pulp packaging in several provinces of Europe, including the U.K.

Why is Demand for Environment Friendly Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Rising in Germany?

As per Future Market Insights, Germany accounts for more than 20% of the total sales in Western Europe during 2021-2031. Growing environmental awareness will create prospects for growth in the country.

Various organizations also are encouraging the usage of re-usable and eco-friendly packaging, which has bolstered demand. Government regulations banning the usage of single use plastics has made molded fiber pulp packaging an environment friendly alternative to the non-biodegradable packaging solutions.

How is the Expansion of Manufacturing Industries in China Shaping Growth?

China is expected to hold 40% of the market share till 2031 of the Asia-Pacific excluding Japan region. The molded fiber pulp packaging market in China is expected to register a prominent growth rate of 7.2% in the upcoming decade, making it a lucrative country for manufacturers.

Fast-paced growth of industrial infrastructure and expansion of organized manufacturers in the country has resulted in low-cost and high-volume production of molded fiber pulp packaging.

Easy availability of raw materials, cheap labor and usage of latest technology enables manufacturers to produce high-quality molded fiber pulp packaging at cheap rates. All these factors result in accelerated growth of global sales.

How is Demand from Food & Beverage Industry Affecting Growth in India?

The India market is estimated to hold nearly 1/4^th value share in APEJ, during the forecast period and remain the second-largest market in the region. Increasing business activities of global food & beverage brands in the country are resulting in heavy demand for convenient packaging solutions.

The development of uninterrupted supply chains makes it possible for producers and end-users to supply their products to newer, untapped markets. Molded fiber pulp packaging ensures shelf-life requirements, minimizing the risk of contamination.

Category-wise Insights

Which is the Preferred Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Type?

According to FMI, trays are expected to hold 34% market share till the year 2031. Trays are a lightweight solution and consume nearly 25% less raw material compared to alternatives.

Most end users are considering this as an ideal packaging solution. Further, consumer sentiments towards green packaging and minimizing negative impact on the environment is boosting sales of molded fiber pulp trays.

Molded fiber pulp trays are compartmentalized or non-compartmentalized containers particularly used as foodservice disposables, or as protective packaging for consumer electronics.

Which Molded Pulp Type is More Preferred by Manufacturers?

Transfer molded pulp is estimated to be a lucrative segment for end users and key players. FMI predicts the segment to capture nearly 50% of the value share in the global target market, during 2021-2031. The resultant products are more recyclable than plastic.

Transfer molded fiber pulp products are available with a wall thickness ranging from 3 mm to 5 mm. This molded pulp type, is used for packaging F & B products, electronic products, health care disposables, appliances, and more.

How are Sales of Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging as a Primary Packaging Set to Grow?

Primary packaging is estimated to create an incremental opportunity of US$ 3.7 Bn and expected to hold a market share of more than 70%, by 2021-2031, owing to benefits such as preventing breakage and wear & tear.

As a result of such superior protective characteristics, these factors are making the primary packaging application trend among consumers worldwide.

Who is the Leading Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging End User?

The consumption of molded fiber pulp packaging is exponentially increasing in the food and beverage industries, especially during COVID-19 crisis. End users are concerned about hygienic and safe packaging formats that ensure quality of perishable food products.

Besides, beverage industries are opting for molded fiber pulp packaging as it provides 360-degree protection to glass bottles ranging from wines to carbonated drinks.

On the back of this, food and beverage applications are estimated to be a leading segment, holding more than 2/5^th value share during the assessment years.  

Competitive Landscape

As the adoption of molded fiber pulp packaging is witnessing a surge in North America and Europe, leading manufacturers are ramping up their production capacities to fulfil this demand. This demand is majorly fueled by consumer-driven shift from plastic to molded fiber.

• In 2019, Huhtamaki Oyj. inaugurated a new fiber packaging line, for manufacturing foodservice packaging and egg packaging. Also, the company is investing in R&D to enhance and launch new product lines for business expansion.
• Chinet offers tableware made up of molded fibre pulp which is one of the most recognized disposable tableware brands in America and are also microwave safe.
• In July 2021, AR Packaging joined hands PulPac to use the PU300 production platform to meet demand for affordable and sustainable fiber pulp products.

Scope of Report

Key Questions Answered in the Report

• What is the current valuation of the molded fiber pulp packaging market?

  The molded fiber pulp packaging market is expected to surpass a valuation of US$ 7.7 Bn by 2021.

• At what rate did the molded fiber pulp packaging market expand in the last 5 years?

  The molded fiber pulp packaging market exhibited steady growth at 4.9% CAGR in the last five years from 2016 to 2020.

• What is the demand outlook for the molded fiber pulp packaging market?

  Molded fiber pulp packaging market will register a gradual rise in demand after a period of decelerating sales amid COVID-19 in 2020. As per FMI, the market is predicted to register a CAGR of 5.1% between 2021 and 2031.

• What are the key trends prevailing in the molded fiber pulp packaging market?

  Key players in the molded fiber pulp packaging markets are looking for alternative sources to procure pulp, owing to increasing demand for sustainable packaging.

• What are the key factors driving molded fiber pulp packaging sales?

  An exponential rise in demand for protective packaging formats and growing demand for sustainable packaging are driving the sales in molded fiber pulp packaging market.

• What is the North America molded fiber pulp packaging market outlook?

  North America is the third largest market for molded fiber pulp packaging, holding 19% global sales in 2021.

• What is the cumulative share of the top five companies in the molded fiber pulp packaging market?

  The top five key players in the molded fiber pulp packaging market are Huhtamaki Oyj., Pactiv LLC, Brodrene Hartmann A/S, Henry Molded Products, Inc., ESCO Technologies Inc., and UPF Technologies, Inc., These players hold a market share of 25%-30% in 2021.

• At what rate will the molded fiber pulp packaging market grow in Western Europe?

  FMI has forecast the Western Europe molded fiber pulp packaging market to exhibit a CAGR of 4.0% between 2021 and 2031.

• Which are the top 5 countries exhibiting high demand for molded fiber pulp packaging?

  The U.S., China, India, Germany, and the U.K. are among leading markets for molded fiber pulp packaging, exhibiting consistently high demand.

• At what rate will the Japan molded fiber pulp packaging market grow?

  As per FMI, the Japan molded fiber pulp packaging market is expected to rise at 3.5% CAGR between 2021 and 2031.

Molded Fiber Pulp Packaging Market by Category

By Product Type:

• Trays
• Drink Carriers
  • 2 Cups
  • 4 Cups
  • 6 Cups
  • More than 8 cups
• Boxes
• End Caps
• Plates
• Bowls
• Cups
• Clamshell Containers

By Molded Pulp Type:

• Thick wall
• Transfer Molded
• Thermoformed Fiber
• Processed Pulp

By Application:

• Primary Packaging
• Secondary Packaging
• Edge Protectors

By End Use:

• Consumer Durables
  • Mobile Phone
  • Television
  • Laptops
  • Tubelight & Bulbs
  • Other
• Food & Beverage
  • Egg Packaging
    • 4 Eggs
    • 6 Eggs
    • 12 Eggs
    • 24 Eggs
    • More than 30 Eggs
  • Wine Packaging
    • 375 ml
    • 750 ml
    • 1.5 liters
    • More than 3 liters
  • Fruit Packaging
  • Others
• Cosmetics
• Food Services
• Healthcare
• Automotive
• Logistics
• Others

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
• APEJ
• MEA
• Japan