Edible Packaging Market Size (2024 - 2029)

Edible Packaging Market Analysis

The Edible Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 1.04 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.44 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.68% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

• Edible packaging, made from plant-based ingredients, can be eaten directly, eliminating the need to process or recycle. With more people caring about the environment, this new type of packaging is an excellent alternative to traditional options. It meets the demand for eco-friendly products and helps reduce waste in landfills.

• Edible packaging protects food from carbon dioxide, fats, moisture, oxygen, and smells. It keeps food fresh and extends its shelf life. One significant advantage is that it can include various active ingredients that improve food safety and nutrition. Edible packaging materials include soybean protein, wheat gluten, whey, and gelatine, attracting businesses to invest in this area.

• In October 2023, Gousto (SCA Investments Limited) introduced the world's first edible pea protein-based packaging, developed with Xampla, a spinout from Cambridge University. This packaging works like plastic, preserving food taste and shelf life, but it is vegan, gluten-free, and eco-friendly.

• Governments and major manufacturers are investing in edible packaging for food and pharmaceutical products. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Chemical Society are developing edible packaging from casein, a milk protein film. This material is 500 times better at protecting food from oxygen.

• With the global ban on plastic, eco-friendly options like edible bags, straws, and containers are becoming more popular. This has increased demand and growth in the packaging sector. Companies making edible products are expanding to meet this demand, leading to more investments in the field.

• A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) from Mangalore, based in Qatar, has created EnviGreen, an eco-friendly carrier bag. These bags look like plastic but are made from natural starch and vegetable oil derivatives. They dissolve in room-temperature water within a day and in boiling water within 15 seconds. Such innovations are expected to boost market demand in the coming years.

• However, edible packaging is more expensive to produce than traditional packaging. The higher cost and the need for secondary packaging to protect against contamination are challenges for the market. Manufacturers have to spend more on protective measures, increasing overall packaging costs.

Edible Packaging Industry Segmentation

Edible packaging is a sustainable solution designed to be eaten or biodegraded, commonly made from plant- or animal-based sources. Edible packaging works as an alternative to plastic packaging and helps reduce plastic waste as everything is eaten or biodegraded. It helps reduce waste and reduces the need for recycling. Continuous research and development (R&D) are carried out by the vendors operating in the market to offer better product offerings adhering to the end-user industry requirement. The edible packaging market is expected to experience more innovation in the coming years, and mergers and acquisitions are expected in the industry. New brands have gained traction in the last few years due to the quality of their offerings.

The edible packaging market is segmented by source (plant and animal), raw material (protein, polysaccharides, lipids, and other raw materials), end-user industry (food, beverage, and pharmaceutical), and Geography (North America [United States and Canada], Europe [Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Rest of Europe], Asia-Pacific [China, Japan, India, Australia and New Zealand, and Rest of Asia Pacific], Latin America, Middle East and Africa). The report offers market forecasts and size in value (USD) for all the above segments.