Sanitary Food & Beverage Packaging Market

Sanitary Food & Beverage Packaging Market Outlook

As per FMI, the global sanitary food & beverage packaging market is likely to reach US$ 40.72 billion in 2023. The market is expected to surpass US$ 52.55 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 2.6% between 2023 and 2033.

The sanitary food & beverage packaging market is expected to continue to grow owing to increasing demand for packaged food & beverages, growing consumer awareness about food safety and hygiene, and strict government regulations. The market is also seeing a shift towards sustainable packaging materials, such as biodegradable and compostable materials.

Sanitary food & beverage packaging is undergoing a significant transformation- with an increased emphasis on incorporating sustainable development initiatives. This is translating into the rising adoption of packaging material that is environment-friendly. Furthermore, digitization of the food packaging supply chain is being undertaken to streamline the manufacturing process and avoid unnecessary wastage of raw materials.

A combination of stringent regulatory provisions established by competent food & beverage packaging regulatory bodies across all countries as well as national and regional level initiatives to ensure good manufacturing practices are providing substantial leverage to sanitary food & beverage packaging market growth. Preference for paperboard packaging material is expected to acquire the center stage, given its high affordability and flexibility.

Opportunities exist for market players to innovate with new packaging designs and materials, as well as to expand their market presence globally. Increased use of e-commerce platforms and home delivery services is also driving demand for convenient, safe, and hygienic packaging solutions.

According to Future Market Insights, the sanitary food & beverage market accrued significant gains in the historical period, expanding at a positive CAGR of nearly 2% from 2016-2022. Significant advancements in food packaging technology in recent years have contributed immensely to the growth of the market. From incorporating various eco-friendly alternatives such as kraft paper and paperboard to digital augmentation of the supply chain, all have played an instrumental role in further growth.

Sanitary food packaging has especially acquired tremendous importance in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic crisis, as the highly contagious nature of the disease is prompting manufacturers to ensure a highly sterile manufacturing environment. Moreover, consumers are wary of purchasing foodstuffs without assurance from retailers that the packages are regularly sterilized and sanitized, hence augmenting demand.

Short Term (2023 to 2026): The increased demand for packaged and processed foods, as well as the growing trend towards eCommerce and home delivery services, are expected to drive market growth during this period.

Medium Term (2026 to 2029): The rising consumer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions, along with the increasing adoption of innovative technologies such as smart packaging as well as active and intelligent packaging, is likely to create growth opportunities.

Long Term (2029 to 2033): The growing global population and increasing urbanization, as well as the need to address environmental concerns and reduce food waste, are anticipated to open up growth opportunities. Additionally, the development of new and advanced materials and technologies is also likely to develop opportunities for growth and innovation in the market.

The future outlook for the market appears extremely bright, with a projected robust CAGR anticipated through the forecast period. Rising sustainability concerns are particularly expected to be at play, with countries striving to drastically reduce landfill dumping of non-biodegradable packaging waste by 2033.

How are Strict Food Safety Regulations Spearheading Sanitary F&B Packaging?

Over the years, food & beverage packaging has acquired tremendous importance, prominently fuelled by increasing consumption in the wake of a significantly expanding population. This has also highlighted the importance of ensuring high food safety standards while packaging and transporting them to potential end-users. Hence, the popularity of sanitary packaging materials has been inclining considerably.

To that end, the International Food Standard (IFS) has been formulated. This is a common food standard with a uniform evaluation system used to qualify and select suppliers. It helps retailers ensure the food safety of their products and monitors the quality level of producers of retailer-branded food products. In addition to this, all countries have established their own regulations to ensure the availability of safe and certified food products.

For instance, the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) plays an instrumental role in ensuring the availability of safe and good quality food and beverage products across North America. As of 2018, the FDA regulates over US$ 2.5 trillion in consumer food, medical products, and tobacco, respectively. The Food Safety and Inspection Service also plays an important role in this regard, while packaging regulations are taken care of by such entities as The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Why is Sustainability an Important Growth Determinant for the Market?

Statistics indicate that consumer packaging generates the maximum amount of plastic and paper waste, comprising about 20% of all waste in landfills. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the total amount of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated amount of ; 82,220 tons in 2018, with over 44,000 tons being recycled and over 30,000 tons being dumped in landfills.

Paper and paperboard packaging waste also amounted to nearly 42,000 tons in terms of generation, most of it originating from the food & beverage industry. Hence, various collaborative efforts are being undertaken to mitigate this incidence, for which incorporating sustainable materials is becoming highly important. Several food & beverage giants are thus incorporating eco-friendly materials, providing a tremendous boost to the market.

Manufacturers are increasingly experimenting with alternatives, including kraft paper, carton water bottles, mushroom packaging, recycled plastic, leaf plates, and a host of other naturally derived options. International coalitions at the institutional level are being extensively undertaken to promote the use of these materials. Additionally, manufacturers leverage smart packaging management solutions to mitigate wastage during the manufacturing cycle itself.

Ismail Sutaria

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High Capital Expenditure to Hinder Uptake of High Grade Packaging Material?

Although investment in sanitary food & beverage packaging is an important facet of prominent food & beverage manufacturers, several small and medium-sized corporations are unable to afford to do so owing to the voluminous expenditure it entails. Hence, penetration is likely to remain confined to large-scale multinational corporations.

Expenditure on sanitary packaging solutions not only involves purchasing lightweight and flexible material but also an integration of the entire supply chain of the business, which is an expensive process. Fortunately, leading packaging giants are making efforts to offer product lines that are affordable to all enterprises. Moreover, they are attempting to offer to consult and after-sales services to enhance the overall process, thus offsetting any shortfalls.

Country-wise Insights

What Opportunities Lie Ahead for the United States Market?

The United States sanitary food & beverage packaging market held a 20% share of the global market in 2022. Sanitary food & beverage packaging is expected to garner immense revenue generation opportunities across the United States market throughout North America. Stringent packaging regulations imposed by key regulatory authorities such as the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) are likely to be the chief growth driver for the regional market. As per its guidelines, it is the responsibility of the Office of Food Additive Safety and The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) to ensure the safety of food contact substances.

This means packaging materials like plastics, coatings, papers, food colorants, and adhesives must be regulated and deemed safe for use. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that antimicrobial technology be built into plastic and textiles used in food packaging to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi, discoloration, and odor. Furthermore, allergen labeling is also an important part of packaging safety requirements, with The Food Allergen Labelling and Consumer Act being in prominence.

Owing to such stringent regulations, a number of regional packaging corporations have sprouted across the market. Prominent faces in the United States sanitary food & beverage packaging landscape include Owens-Illinois, Sealed Air, Ball Corporation, Crown Holdings Corporation, International Paper Company, and WestRock Company, to name a few. These companies are significantly focusing on incorporating sustainable packaging material, mostly paperboard and other eco-friendly substances, including high-grade plastics, in manufacturing their products.

How Lucrative is the Sanitary F&B Packaging Market in the United Kingdom?

The United Kingdom sanitary food & beverage packaging market is highly reliant on the government’s legal labelling requirements. According to United Kingdom law, all prepacked foods require a food label that displays certain mandatory information. All food is subject to general labelling requirements, and any labelling provided must be accurate and not misleading.

As per the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency, food manufacturers are required to clearly indicate the name of the food as prescribed under law. In the absence of a legal name, a customary name can be used. Furthermore, a list of ingredients must be clearly indicated in the order of weight, as well as information about potential allergens. Recently, in April 2021, the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) reinforced its commitment to endorse regulatory provisions requiring energy drink companies to declare high caffeine content if present on their product containers.

Presently, a number of prominent manufacturers operate within the United Kingdom landscape. Ilpra S.p.A, for instance, is a prominent face that offers the Ilpra Foodpack Tray Sealer models, manufactured and ranging from table-top semi-automatic machines to fully in-line automated models. The sealers usually permit the packing and sealing of products in preformed trays made from PP, APET, CPET, aluminum, and laminated carton through top sealing. Likewise, Flexipol offers lightweight, flexible, sustainable, and stronger packaging material.

By 2033, the United Kingdom sanitary food & beverage packaging market is projected to reach US$ 1.89 billion, expanding at a CAGR of 3.4%.

Why is Germany expected to Emerge as a Promising Market?

In 2022, the sanitary food & beverage packaging market in Germany held a 7.5% share of the global market. Germany's sanitary food & beverage packaging market is set to embark on a high growth path, mainly underpinned by a scramble to investigate sustainable alternatives. Beginning in 2018, the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) published a call for projects on bio-based plastic food packaging. This has opened up significant growth avenues for the future. This development follows a 2017 legislation by the Bundesrat, the upper house of the German parliament. This new law was approved in March of that year and assumed shape in 2019. The objective of this legislation was to set higher recycling targets for packaging waste by 2022, which includes a 63% rate for plastic material and 90% for metal, glass, and paper.

The legislation applies to all manufacturers, importers, distributors, and online retailers placing goods on the German market. To maintain market access, businesses have to register with the central packaging registry, with companies mandatorily needing to participate in a dual system to arrange for packaging recovery after use to continue trading. Consequently, a host of sanitary F&B packaging manufacturers are likely to enter the Germany market in the future.

How are Rising Sustainability Concerns Pivot Growth in Japan?

Japan's sanitary food & beverage packaging market held 4.5% of the global market in 2022. Japan is expected to be a key beneficiary of the benefits accrued by the global sanitary food & beverage packaging market as its efforts to curb unwanted packaging waste continue to gather momentum. Despite the fact that 84% of Japan's plastic waste is recycled, microplastics are becoming more of a pressing issue, with the seas immediately surrounding the island nation containing 27 times more microplastics than the global average.

Japan is also responsible for dishing out around 30 billion plastic shopping bags every year. Hence, since July 2020, many retailers have started charging for single-use plastic carrier bags, with some levying small fees for recyclable paper versions to encourage the high uptake of reusable eco-bags.

Several retail outlets and key food corporations are thus playing their part in furthering sustainable packaging trends. For instance, beverage giant Asahi has pledged to boost its sustainability commitment by tackling plastic waste. This is doing so by introducing label-free bottles for all of its plastic-packaged drinks. The company has incorporated plant-based materials and changed the weight of plastic caps to render them more eco-friendly. To further this, Asahi initiated a Twitter campaign that offered 150 randomly selected customers a chance to win a case of 24 bottles if they tweeted using the hashtag # I'vestartedgoinglabelfree.

Is China Estimated to Emerge as a Lucrative Hub for Sanitary F&B Packaging Market?

Akin to several other regions, health and wellness trends are significantly determining the growth of China's food packaging industry. Consumers are exhibiting a high inclination towards those packaging materials which are beneficial and conducive to the natural environment upon their disposal. Moreover, manufacturers are emphasizing mainly incorporating flexible packaging solutions.

Studies have concluded that food packaging from different materials is expected to surpass 400 billion units in 2023, with plastic packaging accounting for the bulk of all materials. This is expected to be followed by paper, metal, and glass, respectively. In addition, innovation is given top priority, keeping in mind the growing sustainability concerns being highlighted.

The city of Shanghai has made significant strides in ensuring increased sustainable packaging adoption across the food industry. With over 24 million residents, material sustainability, particularly plastics, is a significant issue. Food delivery services are especially common, representing the primary source of discarded plastic food waste. Hence, key delivery companies such as Saucepan have been combating the plastic usage of the online food delivery economy by encouraging customers to recycle their plastic bags and rewarding customers for every 10 bags they return to the company.

By registering a 6.1% CAGR over the forecast period, China's sanitary food & beverage packaging market is estimated to maintain its upward trend and cross US$ 6.08 billion by 2033.

Category-wise Insights

Sustainability and Cost-effectiveness are the Reasons behind Rigid Plastic Packaging’s Dominance in the Market

The rigid plastic packaging segment dominates the market due to several factors. Rigid plastic packaging provides a high level of protection against moisture, oxygen, and other contaminants that can spoil food and beverages. This is because of its excellent barrier properties, which prevent the penetration of these elements. Rigid plastic packaging is also convenient to handle, transport, and store. Its lightweight and durable nature make it an attractive option for both manufacturers and consumers.

Rigid plastic packaging can be customized as well to meet specific packaging requirements such as size, shape, and color. This makes it a versatile option for the food and beverage industry. This type of packaging is also a sustainable option as it can be made from recycled materials. This, in turn, reduces the overall carbon footprint. Moreover, rigid plastic packaging is cost-effective compared to other materials, which makes it a popular option for several food and beverage companies. All these factors make rigid plastic packaging type a dominant segment in the market.

Folding Food Containers: The Preferred Choice for Safe and Secure Transportation of Food Products

The sanitary food & beverage packaging market is highly competitive, with numerous product types available to meet various packaging needs. However, within this market, folding food containers have dominated as the preferred product type for several reasons. Folding containers offer a high degree of handiness to both manufacturers and consumers. They are easy to transport, store and assemble, making them an ideal choice for dynamic food and beverage operations. Additionally, folding containers are lightweight and durable, allowing for safe and secure transportation of food products.

Folding food containers are also highly customizable. This allows manufacturers to create unique packaging designs that enhance brand recognition and appeal. These containers are also environment-friendly as they are made from sustainable materials and are recyclable. As consumers become increasingly eco-conscious, this factor has become a critical consideration in packaging selection. Thus, the combination of convenience, customization, durability, and sustainability has made folding food containers the dominant product type in the market.

Competitive Landscape

As per FMI’s analysis, key sanitary food & beverage packaging market players primarily emphasize incorporating advanced packaging technologies, including lightweight material, flexibility, and sustainability narratives, respectively. Additionally, the focus is on capacity expansion by means of acquisitions, mergers, and collaborations.

Leading Players and Their Recent Developments in Sanitary Food & Beverage Packaging Market

Chuo Kagaku Co. Ltd. – The Company significantly emphasizes manufacturing packaging material from recycled virgin plastic. The company follows a three-tiered approach to ensure food safety and sanitation by observing government laws, voluntary industry standards, and its own standards while producing food containers. A few of these provisions include the Food Sanitation Act Ministerial Notification No. 307 of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Japan Hygienic Olefin and Styrene Plastics Association Voluntary Standard.

In December 2020, in Larissa, Magnesia, and Kilkis, Karatzis SA unveiled plans to construct 37 solar projects totaling 830 MW.

Karatzis SA – The Company offers a broad range of meat processing packaging solutions, including the A Series, B Series, C Series, Chicken Loops, Micromesh Series, Pesante Series, and S & STS Series, respectively. Additionally, it also provides Agronets, Crop Bailing Solutions, and Raschel Bags, among other product lines.

In December 2022, a bowl and noodle container with exceptional heat insulation and heat retention was introduced by Chuo Kagaku Co. Ltd. The center plate and lid are combined by a middle plate lid.

In October 2022, a fruit container named OFL was introduced by Chuo Kagaku Co. Ltd. that enhances operability without film. To minimize packing material loss, it can be repackaged.

Crown Holdings Inc. – It is a North America-based company that designs and manufactures packaging products for consumer goods. It produces metal beverage cans, food cans, aerosol cans, and metal vacuum closures, as well as offers packaging services such as printing and design.

• In October 2022, Crown Holdings, Inc. developed a completely redesigned corporate website to emphasize metal packaging's strong sustainability credentials, demonstrate the significance of the format in brand creation, and offer updates on the Company's significant environmental, social, and governance (ESG) accomplishments.
• In August 2022, Crown Holdings, Inc.'s affiliate Crown Embalagens Metálicas da Amazônia S.A. collaborated with Brazilian beverage manufacturer Socorro Bebidas to expand its range of mineral water to comprise completely recyclable beverage cans.

Other Key Players Operating in the Sanitary Food & Beverage Packaging Market

• FP Corporation
• Ball Corporation
• Silgan Containers
• Kaira Can Company Limited
• Canfab Packaging Inc.
• Berlin Packaging LLC

Key Segments Covered

By Packaging Type:

• Paperboard
• Rigid Plastic
• Glass
• Flexible Plastic
• Metal
• Other Packaging Types

By Product Type:

• Milk & Other Beverage Cartons
• Cups & Liquid Tight Containers
• Folding Food Containers
• Boards & Trays
• Other Product Types

By Region:

• North America (United States and Canada)
• Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Rest of Latin America)
• Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Nordics and Rest of Europe)
• Japan
• APEJ (China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Australia and Rest of APEJ)
• Middle East & Africa (GCC, South Africa, Nigeria, Israel and Rest of MEA)