The global fast food containers market reached USD 47.91 billion in 2022 and is likely to get a valuation of USD 50.45 billion in 2023. With increasing usage across sectors such as hotels, restaurants, retail foods chains, and canteens, the overall fast food container sales are slated to capture a CAGR of 5.3%, totaling USD 84.56 billion by 2033.
The sales of the boxes by product type are anticipated to bolster, with the top 3 countries estimated to hold around 35 to 40% of the market by the end of 2023. Similarly, based on material, the paper & paperboard segment is estimated to create an incremental opportunity of USD 23.5 billion between 2023 and 2033.
The fast food containers industry currently forms around 13 to 15% of the food packaging market, which stood at USD 319 billion in 2022.
Fast food containers are packaging made from paper, glass, plastic, metal, etc. These containers are increasingly used to store and pack different food products, especially takeaway ones. They help in preserving food products as well as protecting them from contamination.
Increasing consumer spending on fast foods, rapid penetration of online food platforms, and robust growth of the food service industry are expected to boost the development of the fast food containers market during the assessment period.
Introducing food containers made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials may bode well for the market over the next ten years.
Based on the abovementioned factors, the fast food containers market is anticipated to expand 1.7 times the current market value during the forecast period.
Fast Food Containers Industry (From 2018 to 2022)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| HCAGR | 3.9% |
| Market Size - 2018 | USD 41.11 billion |
| Market Size - 2022 | USD 47.91 billion |
Fast Food Containers Industry (From 2023 to 2033)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| CAGR | 5.3% |
| Market Size - 2023 | USD 50.45 billion |
| Market Size - 2033 | USD 84.56 billion |
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The global fast food containers market witnessed a CAGR of 3.9% during the historical period of 2018 and 2022. With growing consumer spending on fast foods, the introduction of eco-friendly containers, and the increasing need for preserving food products for long durations, the overall market is poised to register a steady CAGR of 5.3% between 2023 and 2032, creating an absolute USD opportunity of USD 32.3 billion by 2033.
Fast food containers are food packaging containers that store and pack different food products. These containers ensure that the food stored remains fresh and is not contaminated. They are made of other materials such as paper & paperboard, glass, plastic, and metal containers.
Increasing demand for protective packaging solutions for food products, along with the rapid expansion of the food service industry worldwide, is projected to augment the sales of fast food containers during the forecast period.
Due to increasing environmental concerns, leading manufacturers are focusing on using sustainable and eco-friendly materials like paper & paperboard for making various packaging product types. This may help them to increase their customer base as well as to comply with stringent government regulations.
Similarly, changes in people's eating habits and lifestyles have increased the usage of packed food across the world. This, in turn, may create a growth opportunity for the fast food containers market.
Increasing Demand for Convenient Food Packaging Solutions Boosting Sales
The food service industry is a volatile industry with changing consumer tastes. Over the years, demand for convenient & packed food has been increasing at a robust pace as it can be served as a quick meal, and the time spent in the kitchen is saved.
Owing to the increased consumption of convenient and packed foods, the need for packaging, which is easy to store and carry and enables immediate consumption, is also growing. Fast food containers serve as secure packaging, are easy to handle, and can help in primary consumption. Products like boxes, clamshells, cans, etc., could be carried easily.
The freshness and nutrition of the products can be preserved for a longer time using food containers. The increasing demand for convenient & disposable packaging may continue to fuel the sales of fast food containers.
Principal Consultant
Based on material, the paper & paperboard segment may continue to dominate the global fast food containers market, accounting for a share of 65% by the end of 2033. This is attributable to the rising usage of paper for making food containers due to its lightweight, low cost, recyclability, and eco-friendly features.
Amid growing demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions, manufacturers are increasingly using paper & paperboard for producing fast food containers, and this trend is likely to escalate during the forecast period.
As per FMI, hotels, restaurants & cafes may remain the most lucrative end-user segment, creating an incremental growth opportunity of USD 24.9 billion between 2023 and 2033. This can be attributed to the increasing demand for takeaway, the surge in restaurants, hotels, and cafes, and the rising usage of fast food containers in these sectors.
Hotels, restaurants, and cafes have changed significantly in the past few years. Post-COVID, home food deliveries, and takeaways have seen a sudden rise. Due to increased online orders, the usage of fast food containers has been increased by hotels, restaurants & cafes. Hotels, restaurants & cafes offer lucrative growth opportunities in the global fast food containers market.
As per FMI, India's fast food containers market is expected to record a robust CAGR of 7.0% between 2023 and 2033, reaching a valuation of USD 5.46 billion by 2033. Growth in the market is driven by the rapid expansion of the paper industry, growing demand for eco-friendly packaging to reduce pollution, and increasing consumer spending on fast food products.
Over the years, there has been significant growth in the food packaging industry in India. The reason for this is the availability of the packaging raw materials like paper & paperboard and others at lower costs. According to the Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), the Indian industry is a rapidly growing market for paper & paperboard and has an annual turnover of around USD 9.0 billion.
Due to innovative technology, paper & paperboard are used in the packaging industry. As paper & paperboard is the top material in the fast food container industry, the growing paper & paperboard industry is expected to increase the production of paper & paperboard packaging. It is projected to drive the fast food container market in India.
The United States fast food containers market is estimated to record a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period, creating an incremental opportunity of USD 6.41 billion by 2033. Consumers in the United States are more inclined toward packed food products. Factors such as increased shelf life of the packed products and consumer preference for the packed food products augment the sale of fast food containers.
According to the data provided by the Plastics Industry Association, a subsequent amount of packaging is rigid in the global packaging industry, for instance, plastic bottles or food containers. Thus, rigid packaging holds a high rate in the packaging industry and is expected to increase owing to the increasing fast food packaging in countries like the United States.
Similarly, the presence of leading chains such as Burger King, Subway, Starbucks, and others that sell a huge quantity of food daily is expected to boost the sales of food containers across the United States during the projected period.
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Key players operating in the fast food containers market focus on increasing their sales and revenues by expanding their capacities and developing eco-friendly products. They are adopting strategies such as new product launches, mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, collaborations, and the establishment of new production facilities to expand their global footprint.
Huhtamaki, International Paper Company, and Graphic Packaging are Some Giants Keeping Fast Food & Sustainability Together
The popularity of fast food around the globe has necessitated the need for packaging that is affordable, sustainable, and, above all, easy to produce on a mass scale. Leading packaging companies have opened new units specifically making fast food packaging, especially in containers. Huhtamaki, one of the leading packaging companies globally, is experimenting with different raw materials. For instance, it is extensively using smooth molded fiber.
Sustainability is another key focus area of Huhtamaki as end-user preference for eco-friendly packaging materials continues to grow. The company is revamping its fast food container solutions to ensure its clients, such as McDonald's, Starbucks, and Unilever, can deliver on their commitment to sustainability.
Huhtamaki's site in Germany is switching from plastics to smooth molded fiber products as part of its greater commitment toward sustainability. The company has a goal of replacing 2,000 tons of plastics with fiber. It is also focusing on boosting its production facilities.
For instance, its automated manufacturing facility in Germany can produce up to 3.5 billion fiber products annually.
The company recently (2021) launched over 100 products for food and drink on the go to address the changing patterns of consumer behavior and growing demand for sustainable packaging. The new products are specially designed to serve the needs of home delivery and takeaway foodservice operators in the United Kingdom.
Most fast-food container companies are boosting their brand image by embracing innovation. They attend various events, conferences, and award shows to showcase their products. For instance, Huhtamaki was recognized for 'Excellence in Packaging' at the 6th edition of the Economic Times Polymer Awards.
Similarly, International Paper Company invests heavily in brand promotion through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The company's strategy is recycling and using eco-friendly raw materials in its manufacturing process.
For instance, International Paper Company partnered with the Paper and Packaging Board to boost residential recycling rates. The initiative aims to create a favorable marketplace for manufacturers and e-commerce companies to use recycled boxes. As part of its sustainability initiatives, the organization donated over 1,000 trees in North America.
To sustainability initiatives, fast food container packaging companies are also focusing on mergers & acquisitions to consolidate their position.
For instance, Graphic Packaging Holding Company announced in December 2020 that it may continue the monetization process of International Paper's Minority Partnership.
Keeping up with its competitors, who are aggressively focusing on recycling, Graphic Packaging announced the launch of a sustainable packaging system manufactured using fiber-based packaging. This new system eliminates the need for plastic rings and shrink wrap.
Recent Developments
| Company | Crown Holdings, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Strategy | Crown Holdings' Sustainability Initiatives Pave the Way |
| Details | In May 2022, Crown Holdings, Inc. published data showing their efforts to increase metal recycling rates in all leading markets. They have set the target of achieving 70% recycling rates in the United States and 80% recycling rates in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. They are working with Every Can Count (ECC), which promotes metal container recyclability. Their efforts may help the fast food container market to move towards sustainability and flourish in the coming years. |
| Company | Huhtamaki Oyj |
|---|---|
| Strategy | Huhtamaki Oyj Expands Capacity for Sustainable Food Packaging Solutions |
| Details | In March 2022, Huhtamaki Oyj strengthened its manufacturing capacity for molded fiber packaging to provide plastic-free packaging solutions for food packaging in Europe. |
| Company | Smurfit Kappa |
|---|---|
| Strategy | Smurfit Kappa's New Eco-Friendly Takeaway Packaging |
| Details | In January 2022, Smurfit Kappa extended its packaging portfolio with a new innovative and sustainable solution for fast food. The new fresh post food box developed by the company may keep food safe and preserve the aroma and taste. This product can transform the takeaway food packaging sector as it is a sustainable alternative to the single-use plastic solution. |
| Company | Pyxo |
|---|---|
| Strategy | Pyxo Aims to Revolutionize Food Packaging |
| Details | In 2021, Pyxo, a French startup, announced that it may build a prominent network of reusable food containers. |
Consumer inclination toward packed food drives fast food container sales.
Changing lifestyles drive global packed food usage, consequently fueling market growth.
Increasing demand for convenient food packaging solutions is boosting sales.
Rising demand for food protection and global food service expansion drives sales.
The market is forecast to register a CAGR of 5.3% through 2033.
1. Executive Summary 2. Market Overview 3. Market Background 4. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033 5. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Material 5.1. Paper & Paperboard 5.2. Glass 5.3. Plastic 5.4. Metal 6. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Product Type 6.1. Boxes 6.2. Jars 6.3. Clamshells 6.4. Bottles 6.5. Cans 6.6. Cups & Tubs 6.7. Trays 7. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By End Users 7.1. Hotels, Restaurants & Cafes 7.2. Retail Food Chains 7.3. Cinemas 7.4. Institutional 7.5. Canteens 8. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Region 8.1. North America 8.2. Latin America 8.3. Western Europe 8.4. Eastern Europe 8.5. South Asia and Pacific 8.6. East Asia 8.7. Middle East and Africa 9. North America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 10. Latin America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 11. Western Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 12. Eastern Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 13. South Asia and Pacific Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 14. East Asia Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 15. Middle East and Africa Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 16. Key Countries Market Analysis 17. Market Structure Analysis 18. Competition Analysis 18.1. WestRock Company 18.2. Graphic Packaging International LLC. 18.3. Huhtamaki Oyj 18.4. GM Packaging (United Kingdom) Ltd. 18.5. International Paper Company 18.6. R+R Packaging Ltd. 18.7. Fuling Plastic USA Inc. 18.8. Berry Global Group 18.9. Crown Holdings Inc. 18.10. Graham Packaging Company 18.11. Cambay Technopack Private Limited 18.12. Genpak, LLC 18.13. Vegware Ltd 18.14. BeGreen Packaging 18.15. CP Packaging 18.16. Contital Srl. 18.17. Logos Pack 18.18. Fastfoodpak Co. Ltd. 18.19. Smurfit Kappa Group 18.20. Novelis 19. Assumptions & Acronyms Used 20. Research Methodology
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Fast Food Containers Market
