Market Trends of Molded Pulp Packaging Industry
Food Packaging to Hold Significant Market Share
- Molded pulp products are increasingly used in the food-related sector to replace plastics and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products. Applications for the food market are subject to strict standards and must comply with them. In addition to some basic strength specifications, such as tensile and thermal qualities, improved barrier properties are crucial for materials in the food market sector.
- The food packaging products made of molded pulp include clam-shell and takeout meal containers, egg trays and cartons, and fruit, vegetable, berry, and mushroom trays. The majority of the food packaging items on the market utilize trays. Molded paper pulp packing offers the best protection for delicate or fragile goods like eggs. Due to its dependability, the producers and retailers suffer fewer losses and damages. Egg trays are protective packaging and are made using recycled newspapers.
- Molded pulp and fiber trays offer good air permeability and hygroscopic ability, which are essential in egg packaging and storage. Moreover, the demand for trays is predicted to rise due to expected increases in egg and fruit consumption, as well as advantages such as low weight and recyclability. The demand for egg packaging trays is significant. The growing consumption of eggs shows the trend of molded pulp for egg tray packaging. For instance, in Germany, per capita consumption of eggs has increased from 14.40 kilograms in 2021 to 14.60 kilograms in 2023.
- The packaging must have barrier qualities that reduce the exchanges of gases and water vapor between the food and the environment to slow down food's chemical, physical, and microbiological changes. As a result, for materials intended for food-related product packaging, the permeability to water vapor and oxygen are crucial properties to consider.
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Asia-Pacific to Witness Significant Growth
- China has been the world's largest importer of wood pulp in recent years, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The country is witnessing a growing demand for molded pulp packaged products for end-users, such as food service, food packaging, healthcare, FMCG, and electronics. It is further expected to drive the developed pulp packaging market.
- The joint proposal from the Reform Commission of China's National Development and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment prohibits the sale of disposable foam tableware, disposable plastic cotton swabs, and the production of daily chemical products containing plastic beads. Under the new situation of widespread implementation of the plastic ban and restriction, pulp molded products will become the main substitute after the "plastic restriction order" due to their excellent environmental protection and degradability.
- The food service disposable industry, which demands virgin pulp for manufacturing packaging products, such as clamshells, trays, cups, etc., that come in close contact with food items, has been experiencing substantial growth over the last few years. In India, most virgin pulp used in food service is derived from non-wood sources, such as bagasse and rice straw. According to Nirmal Bang, India's organized food services industry will reach a market value of over INR 2.3 trillion (USD 28.02 billion) in 2025.
- The significant shift to sustainable packaging, consumer preference for eco-friendly packaging solutions, and environmental and health concerns over how manufacturers pack their products are expected to fuel the growth of the molded pulp packaging market in India.
- Online grocery shopping and co-op food deliveries are Japan's two most significant food delivery segments (which use molded fiber packaging to protect food and groceries from external environment and moisture). However, the restaurant food delivery segment has expanded considerably in recent years as demand soared in response to mobility restrictions and safety concerns. The increase in online spending has seen a shift in recent years, which is expected to aid the market's growth.
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