Food Contact Papers Global Market Report 2024

The food contact papers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $76.12 billion in 2023 to $80.78 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%. The expansion observed in the historical period can be attributed to factors such as stringent food safety regulations, increasing consumer demand for sustainable packaging, the globalization of the food industry, the rise in convenience and ready-to-eat foods, and the industry's shift towards biodegradable materials.

The food contact papers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $99.4 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to factors such as the increased adoption of plant-based packaging, a focus on recyclability and the circular economy, a rising demand for specialty papers, the need for packaging solutions in e-commerce, and consumer preferences for safe and healthy packaging. Key trends in the forecast period encompass technological innovations in coating materials, advancements in paper coating technologies, a growing demand for sustainable packaging, innovations in barrier coatings, and a preference for convenience packaging solutions.

The food contact papers market is poised for growth, driven by the increasing consumer demand for sweets and chocolates. Sweets and chocolates, created by combining cocoa beans, sugar powder, and fat, rely on food contact papers as their primary packaging material. These papers serve as a barrier, protecting the confectionery and other food products from contamination while preserving freshness. Notably, in the US, sales of chocolate and sweets experienced an 11% increase between 2020 and 2021. Confectionery retail sales reached $36.9 billion in 2021 and were projected to further increase to $44.9 billion by 2026, showcasing the rising demand for sweets and chocolates and, consequently, the growth of the food contact papers market.

The food contact paper market is anticipated to witness further growth due to the growing demand for convenience foods. Convenience foods, ready to consume without additional preparation, include snacks, prepared mixes, and ready-to-eat meals. Food contact papers play a crucial role in packaging and wrapping these convenience foods, contributing to the market's expansion. Recent data indicates a significant increase in shopper journeys for takeout meals, with a 16% growth observed over the previous two years. This trend reflects the surging demand for convenience foods, further driving the food contact paper market.

The growth of the food contact paper market may face significant constraints from regulatory and compliance challenges. Stringent safety standards and regulations, such as the European Commission's Regulation (EU) 2022/1616, pose challenges in ensuring that food contact materials, including paper and paperboard packaging, meet these standards. The regulation focuses on the safety of recycled plastic materials and articles intended for food contact, emphasizing suitable recycling technologies, authorized processes, and the proper use of recycling installations. These regulatory and compliance challenges present obstacles to the seamless growth of the food contact paper market.

Companies in the food contact papers market are actively innovating to create sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging solutions, such as kerbside recyclable paper wraps. These wraps are specifically designed for recycling, often made from 100% recycled newsprint. For example, in March 2022, Wipak Walothen GmbH, a Germany-based company specializing in packaging services and products, introduced a kerbside recyclable paper wrap for butter. Crafted from FSC-certified renewable paper, this solution claims to have a 68% lower carbon footprint compared to industry-standard wraps made of aluminum, low-density polyethylene, or paper lamination. Notably, this consumer-friendly paper solution can be entirely recycled within the curbside paper and cardboard waste stream. Wipak Walothen GmbH's commitment to the circular economy and its diverse range of customizable paper composite solutions underscore its dedication to sustainability and meeting customer needs.

In December 2021, Nordic Paper Holding AB, a Sweden-based paper manufacturing company, made a strategic move by acquiring Glassine Canada Inc. The acquisition, conducted for an undisclosed amount, emphasizes Nordic Paper Holding AB's commitment to providing highly specialized and cutting-edge papers for food service and food packaging. It also reinforces the company's dedication to producing recyclable and resource-efficient goods. Glassine Canada Inc., the acquired company, is recognized as a Canada-based manufacturer specializing in complex greaseproof paper grades. This acquisition further positions Nordic Paper Holding AB as a key player in delivering sustainable and advanced paper solutions for various applications, particularly in the food industry.

Major companies operating in the food contact papers market report are International Paper Company, WestRock Company, Amcor plc, Smurfit Kappa Group, Graphic Packaging Holding Company, Pactiv LLC, Moondi plc, SCG Packaging Public Company Limited., PT. Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk, Novolex Holdings Inc., Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj, Harwal Group, Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc., Georgia-Pacific LLC, Duni AB, Nordic Paper Holding AB, Asia Pulp & Papers Pvt. Ltd., Pudumjee Paper Products Ltd., Seaman Paper Company, Twin River Paper Company Inc., KRPA Holding CZ a.s., Superiorpaper Pty Ltd., Honeymoon Paper Products Inc., GM Packaging (UK) Ltd., BPM Inc.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the food contact paper market in 2023. The regions covered in the food contact papers market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa The countries covered in the food contact papers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The food contact papers market consists of sales of greaseproof papers, parchment papers, and glassine paper. 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 main material types of food contact papers include kraft paper, specialty paper, recycled paper, and others. Kraft paper is a coarse, strong, and durable paper made from chemical wood pulp. These papers come in various thicknesses, such as up to 30 gsm, 30-50 gsm, and above 50 gsm, catering to applications such as bakery and confectionary products, dairy products, fresh food, fast food, baby food, and others. The end-users of food contact papers span across hotels and restaurants, bakeries and cafes, fast food outlets, movies and cinemas, airline and railway catering, and more.

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

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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