Disposable food containers are often constructed of plastic resins that have been combined with additives. Additives are chemical ingredients that can improve the performance of a plastic by making it more flexible or by improving its outward appearance. These additives include polypropylene, polypropylene, and others.
Segments of the Market
The disposable plastic food packaging container market is segmented by type, application, and end-use. By type, the market is segmented into PP (polypropylene), PS (polystyrene), and PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Based on application, the market is segmented into fresh food, fast food take-away, and others. Further, the end-use market is segmented into restaurants and eateries, retail, catering services, and others.
Industry Demand
According to OMR Research, the global disposable plastic food packaging container market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period (2023-2029). The advantages of disposable plastic containers are the primary market drivers. These food containers are lightweight and inexpensive, and they provide advantages such as improved cleanliness, convenience, and reduced food spoilage. As a result, disposable packaging solutions are becoming increasingly popular in restaurants, hotels, institutions, businesses, hospitals, and residences. Another contributing element is the growth of numerous meal delivery aggregators such as Zomato, Swiggy, and Doordash Inc., as well as the global development of other fast food restaurants. Additionally, rising demand for takeaway, fast food, and ready-to-eat food as a result of changing lifestyles and rising disposable income is expected to act as a catalyst for growth in the worldwide plastic disposable food container market. After COVID-19, the market gained rapid growth due to the high demand for online food delivery services.
However, the market may face restraints due to the increasing single-use plastic bans by various governments across the globe. For instance, in January 2023, the UK government announced plans to ban single-use plastic products. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the ban will cover cutlery, trays, bowls, balloon sticks, plastic plates, and certain kinds of polystyrene cups and food containers.
Recent Developments
The key companies that are operating in the market include Berry Global, Inc., Sealed Air Corp., Coveris Flexibles UK Ltd., Sonoco Products Company, ALPLA Group, Amcor plc, Mondi plc, Plastipak Packaging, Inc., Tianjin Yihsin Packing Plastic Co., Ltd., Quanzhou Meiyang Plastic Metals Products Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Great Southeast Corp., Ltd., and Shenzhen City Saizhuo Plastic Co., Ltd., among others. These companies are following various mergers and acquisitions, investments, and collaboration activities. Some of the recent developments in the market include-
• In December 2022, Placon, a custom and stock plastic packaging company, introduced a new range of deli products for its culinary market. The new sustainable deli product line, Crystal Seal Cravings, is manufactured from post-consumer repurposed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials and will help satisfy sustainability targets. Craving containers include a tamper-evident cover that protects the goods within and are ideal for curbside pickup, meal delivery, and fresh, on-the-go convenience. It also helps with sustainability.
• In October 2022, Cauli launched its new plastic cups, CauliCups. These cups are 100% polypropylene injection molded cups. They can be reused 400 times before being returned to the makers to be repurposed into new items, according to Cauli. The cups are now available in 10 oz and 12 oz sizes, with 16oz cups in the works for the future. Barts Health NHS Trust and a number of Canary Wharf banks have placed first orders.
• In May 2022, Berry Global, a US-based plastic packaging manufacturer, partnered with Taco Bell to offer a sustainable cup solution. The 30 oz cup is designed for circularity and combines mechanically recycled post-consumer resin (PCR) and 10% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE). By substituting the cup with virgin plastic cups and lid sets, the restaurant chain plans to divert trash from landfill and incineration while lowering its carbon footprint. By 2025, the firm aims to have all of its consumer-facing packaging recyclable, biodegradable, or reusable. This depicts that the recycled plastic food container market will grow in the near future, giving retailers relief from plastic bans since they will be able to utilize the plastic further and make their business and operations environmentally friendly.
• In January 2022, Aldi announced that its own-brand rice—Worldwide Foods and SKUs—would be sold in Coveris' entirely recyclable, monomaterial PE packaging. The rice was formerly packed in a non-recyclable, OPP and PE mixed laminate, according to the firms. The SKUs will now be packaged in Coveris' MonoFlexE monomaterial PE to PE laminated solution, which the company claims is 100% recyclable and will allow about 30 tonnes of film to enter the soft plastic recycling stream yearly.