Edible Films and Coatings Market Report 2025

The edible films and coatings market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.44 billion in 2024 to $3.72 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased food preservation and shelf-life extension, consumer demand for natural and sustainable packaging, reduction of food waste, regulatory compliance and food safety, and increased environmental concerns.

The edible films and coatings market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.45 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to plant-based and vegan edible coatings, increasing food security and traceability, increasing use of functional ingredients in edible coatings, increasing need for cost savings and efficiency, and emerging market growth. Major trends in the forecast period include technological advancements in food packaging, industry collaboration and research, innovative edible packaging materials, smart packaging and qr code integration, and clean label and transparent packaging.

The edible films and coatings market is expected to experience growth due to the increase in the sales of fruits and vegetables globally. Fruits and vegetables, being plant-derived foods, are often packed using edible films and coatings to enhance shelf life and promote eco-friendly packaging practices. According to a report by FreshPlaza, the sale of organic fresh produce reached $2.3 billion in the first quarter of 2022, reflecting a 4% increase from previous years. This surge in global sales of fruits and vegetables is a driving factor for the edible films and coatings market as these materials contribute to increased shelf life and sustainable packaging solutions.

The growth of the edible films and coatings market is further fueled by the rising demand for organic products. Organic products adhere to specific farming and processing standards, requiring specific packaging to maintain their organic status. Edible films and coatings, crafted from natural and organic ingredients, are well-suited for such products, aligning with the organic branding and ensuring packaging consistency with the organic nature of the contents. According to a report by the Organic Trade Association in May 2023, organic food sales in the United States surpassed $60 billion in 2022, marking a significant milestone. Organic produce sales, contributing 15% to total fruit and vegetable sales, amounted to $22 billion. The increasing demand for organic products is a key driver for the growth of the edible films and coatings market.

Leading companies in the edible films and coatings market are concentrating on developing innovative solutions, such as plant-based edible coatings, to enhance food preservation, extend shelf life, and meet the growing consumer demand for sustainable, healthier packaging alternatives. Plant-based edible coatings are thin layers made from natural plant-derived materials that are applied to food products to offer various benefits. For example, in February 2022, Apeel Sciences, an India-based agricultural service provider, introduced a plant-based edible coating called Apeel, or Edipeel, in the UK for ASDA and Tesco supermarkets. This coating, created from lipids and glycerolipids sourced from fruits and vegetables, forms a protective layer that prolongs the freshness of produce by reducing water loss and oxidation. This initiative aims to reduce food waste, with Tesco estimating that around 400,000 tons of fruit are discarded annually due to spoilage. The coating will be tested on items like Jaffa oranges and lemons in select stores, with customer feedback collected to evaluate its effect on taste and quality.

Major companies in the edible films and coatings market are actively developing new products, including plant-based edible coatings, to cater to larger customer bases, boost sales, and increase revenue. Plant-based edible coatings refer to thin, protective layers made from natural, plant-derived materials applied to the surfaces of various food items, such as fruits, vegetables, or bakery products. In February 2022, Akorn Technology, a US-based developer of edible coatings, introduced edible coatings for fresh products. Notably, Akorn's edible coatings are characterized by their protein-based composition, effectively enhancing the shelf life, quality, and safety of fresh fruit. This innovation addresses issues like decay, browning, chilling injuries, and anthracnose in fruits. Akorn's protein-based coatings have demonstrated the ability to extend the shelf life of a wide range of fruits and vegetables, resulting in a significant reduction of cold chain losses by at least 30%. The outcome is fresh produce with enhanced flavor, texture, and appearance, demonstrating the potential of plant-based edible coatings in preserving and improving the quality of perishable goods.

In November 2022, Sherwin-Williams Company, a US-based manufacturer of paint and coatings, entered an agreement to acquire Peter Möhrle Holding and the GP Capital UG partnership, including Oskar Nolte GmbH and Klumpp Coatings GmbH, for an undisclosed amount. This strategic acquisition positions Sherwin-Williams to achieve profitable growth in the global industrial wood market, aligning with its acquisition strategy of integrating complementary, superior, and differentiating companies. Oskar Nolte GmbH, a Germany-based producer and distributor of industrial coating products, is part of this acquisition, adding valuable assets and capabilities to Sherwin-Williams' portfolio in the coatings industry.

Major companies operating in the edible films and coatings market include Tate & Lyle PLC, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Döhler GmbH, Royal DSM N.V., Cargill Inc., Ingredion Incorporated, Watson Inc., Kerry Group plc, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., JRF Technology LLC, BluWrap Inc., CP Kelco India Pvt Ltd., Nagase & Co. Ltd., Food Machinery and Chemical Corporation (FMC Corporation), MonoSol LLC, Lactips S.A., Pace International LLC, Sufresca, AgroFresh Solutions Inc., Akorn Technology Inc., Badische Anilin- & Soda-Fabrik (BASF) SE, Graphic Packaging International LLC.

The edible films and coatings market comprises the sales of edible films and coatings and related products, offered by entities such as organizations, sole traders, and partnerships. These products are utilized for preventing moisture loss, maintaining quality, ensuring safe transportation, and facilitating storage of various food items. Edible films and coatings are thin layers of edible materials applied to food products, playing a crucial role in their preservation, distribution, and marketing.

The primary types of ingredients used in edible films and coatings include proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and composites. Proteins are a category of nitrogenous organic compounds characterized by large molecules composed of one or more lengthy chains of amino acids. Applications for these edible films and coatings span across various sectors, including dairy products, bakery and confectionery items, fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, and other diverse applications. The end-users of these products encompass the food and beverages industry as well as the pharmaceutical sector.

The edible films and coatings market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides edible films and coatings market statistics, including edible films and coatings industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an edible films and coatings market share, detailed edible films and coatings market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the edible films and coatings industry. This edible films and coatings market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

North America was the largest region in the edible films and coatings market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the edible films and coatings market during the forecast period. The regions covered in this edible films and coatings market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

The countries covered in the edible films and coatings market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The edible films and coatings market consists of sales of protein-based coatings such as collagen films, gelatin films and wheat gluten films. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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