Market Trends of North America Foodservice Packaging Industry
Corrugated Boxes and Cartons Segment to Exhibit the Highest Growth Rate
- Corrugated boxes are used only once and then recycled, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. Additionally, the high heat used in manufacturing ensures they are free from bacteria and other contaminants. They provide a clean, safe environment for food items during transit, storage, and delivery, which is boosting their adoption in the foodservice packaging market in North America.
- Corrugated boxes boast a safety feature and are approved for direct food contact. Moreover, these boxes can be coated with food-safe materials, bolstering their appeal for food packaging. One standard option for a food-safe coating is a water-based or vegetable-based coating that complies with regulatory standards for direct food contact. This coating can be used as a protective layer, preventing any potential migration of substances from the box to the food. It is designed to be non-toxic and moisture-resistant, ensuring the packaging remains intact and safe for food items, supporting its growth in the market studied.
- Sustainability plays a crucial role in all industries, including food packaging. Corrugated boxes score highly in this regard as they are made from renewable resources. Most are manufactured from recycled materials and support circular economies as they can be easily recycled again, which reduces their environmental footprint, thereby supporting their growth in the North American market during the forecast period.
- The International Paper Company, a US-based pulp and paper company, reported the shipments of corrugated packaging in the United States to be growing in line with the increasing growth of shipments of packing products in the country, showing the future growth potential of the segment in the market studied.
- Additionally, with their sturdy construction, versatility, and safe properties, corrugated boxes and cartons have secured their place as a preferred choice in food packaging. They protect and preserve the food products inside and ensure their safe transportation to consumers. Coupled with their sustainable nature, corrugated boxes are a proper win-win solution, benefiting the food industry and supporting the segment's growth in the market studied.
Quick-service Restaurants Hold the Highest Market Share
- The use of sustainable foodservice packaging in QSRs has become crucial. More people are turning to fast food as a supper option because they have less time to prepare meals at home. Foodservice businesses may package meals safely and affordably using sustainable packaging styles, giving clients a quick and easy way to transport meals.
- Most of the foodservice items used in QSRs are either made of plastic, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polylactic acid, or paper, including paper, paperboard, and molded pulp. QSRs deliver high-quality food and beverages more quickly than traditional restaurants or cafes. To achieve fair distribution and a high level of consistency in offering these services, several QSRs have implemented dispensers that supply a controlled volume, supporting market growth.
- Some QSRs combine restaurant conveniences with the freedom for customers to express their uniqueness through self-service elements through controlled-volume dispensers, which can help QSRs deliver exceptional customer service, reduce product waste, and save money. The demand for packaging solutions for these small-volume sachets or packets across QSRs in the region is expected to create a growth opportunity for the market over the forecast period.
- Fast food and QSR chains based in the United States are expanding their portfolios in Canada to address the increasing demand for packaged foods, which would support market growth. For instance, in June 2024, the US fast-food chain Shake Shack, known for its burgers and fries, opened its first Canadian location in Toronto, which would fuel the demand for packaging solutions in the foodservice industry during the forecast period.
- Additionally, in August 2023, Inmobi, a contextual mobile advertising company, reported that people were ordering pizza and burgers as the most preferred fast food items in the United States. Such factors could create demand for the foodservice packaging market in the country and support the regional market’s growth during the forecast period.