Global disposable cups market is projected to witness a considerable growth rate by exhibiting a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The stringent government regulations towards non-biodegradable plastic are increasing the demand for disposable cups. Disposable cups are used to serve hot and cold beverages along with food services. The disposable plastic cups are prepared by thermoforming techniques with sheet thickness ranging from 0.35 mm to 2 mm. Disposable cups have a wide usage in the ice-cream industry, drinking water, hotels, and other dairy products and serve as a replacement of conventional glass-ware or ceramic cups. The disposable cups are the preferred solution for food & beverage industry due to the improved aesthetic appearance as compared to traditional cups, lightweight, increases the self-life of the product inside and provides an ease of transportation and impermeability. The transition towards on-the-go food & beverages services among the global population due to the rapid urbanization coupled with the rise in disposable income tends to accelerate the market share of disposable cups. The growing number of retail outlets along with the quick service restaurants globally which provide an opportunity for the disposable cups manufacturers to tap into the market potential.

Segmental Outlook  

The disposable cups market is segmented on the basis of material and application. Based on the material, the market is segmented into paper, plastic, and foam. Based on application, the market is bifurcated into food and beverages.

Global Disposable Cups Market Share by Application, 2018(%)

Plastic cup segment is estimated to have significant market share in the market

Plastic cup segment is expected to register significant growth in the disposable cups market during the forecast period, owing to the low cost of disposable cups along with the easy availability of plastic cups has made the plastic cups the preferred solution among food & beverages industry. The recyclability, lightweight and other physical attributes have made the wide usage of plastic cups in the packaging and food serving industry. The paper cups are produced from paper and lined with plastic material to make the paper cups waterproof. However, the plastic lining cannot be removed by most of the recycling facilities due to the contamination of paper part by the food or beverage content. With the advent of biodegradable materials, the disposable cups made from bioplastic is expected to increase the demand for plastic disposable cups. The increasing demand for on-the-go drinks has resulted in the higher market share of plastic cups owing to the waterproofing ability of plastic cups as compared to paper cups. However, stringent government regulations towards the use of plastic products may hamper the market share of plastic disposable cups.

Beverages segment contributes a significant share in the market

Disposable cups finds its significant application in the beverages segment, owing to the rising demand for on-the-go drinks. The increasing adoption of disposable cups in cafes and restaurants to serve hot and cold beverages is another factor propelling the segmental growth in the market. Moreover, the rising number of refreshment outlets such as tea and coffee shops has resulted in an increase in demand for disposable cups, eliminating the re-usage of cups. Various types of disposable cups are used in the beverage segment, such as air pocket insulated cups, wax-coated paper cups, among others; resulting in an increase in market share of disposable cups. Air pocket insulated cups are designed with an air pocket to keep the coffee, tea, and hot chocolate warm. According to Earth Day Network, in 2018, around 500 billion disposable cups are consumed every year, while Americans alone consume 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year. Therefore, the transition towards a sedentary lifestyle is propelling the demand for disposable cups across the globe.

Regional Outlook

The global disposable cups market is further classified on the basis of geography, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World. Among these regions, Asia-Pacific is expected to register significant growth over the forecast period owing to the economic development, rising disposable income along with the growing number of fast-food restaurants. Moreover, the quickened life pace in emerging economies of the region, such as India and China, is driving the growth of convenience-oriented packaging solutions, including disposable cups.

Global Disposable Cups Market Growth, by Region 2019-2025

Market Players Outlook

The major players that contribute to the growth of the global disposable cups market include Georgia-Pacific LLC, Huhtamaki Oyj,  Berry Global, Inc., Genpak, LLC, Go-Pak Group, Graphic Packaging Holding Co., and Dart Container Corp. These market players are contributing to the market by adopting various market approaches including material launch and approvals, merger and acquisition, partnerships collaborations, and others for gaining a strong position in the market.

Recent Developments

• In January 2017, Berry Global, Inc., manufacturer and provider of consumer packaging, announced the acquisition of AEP Industries Inc. The acquisition provides the company to expand product portfolio and extend its geographical outreach along with an increase in production capacity of engineered materials division.

The Report Covers

• Market value data analysis of 2018 and forecast to 2025.
• Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment.
• Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions.
• Key companies operating in the global disposable cups market. Based on the availability of data, information related to pipeline products, and relevant news is also available in the report.
• Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future.
• Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies.
• Competitive strategies by identifying ‘who-stands-where’ in the market.