Biodegradable Paper and Plastic Packaging Market Size & Share 2022 to 2030
Market Size by Type (Starch Based Plastic, Cellulose Based Plastic, Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)), by Material (Paper, Plastic), End User & Forecast.
Report ID: GMI5342
|
Published Date: September 2022
|
Report Format: PDF
Download Free PDF
Authors:
Kiran Pulidindi, Kunal Ahuja
Biodegradable Paper and Plastic Packaging Market Size
Biodegradable Paper and Plastic Packaging Market size was worth more than USD 2 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11% through 2030. Rising adaption of sustainable packaging alternatives in developing countries to push the global industry growth.
Biodegradable plastic and paper are largely utilized for packaging across all industries owing to their vast variety of characteristics, including biodegradability, recyclability, adaptability, wide availability, lightweight, and most importantly the ‘sustainability’ factor. The development of biodegradable packaging solutions as a partial replacement for petrochemical-based plastics is being driven by significant environmental and food safety concerns, which is stimulating the market outlook.
The need for sustainable packaging has increased as people demand change and have started scrutinizing businesses. Consumer preferences are shifting in favor of sustainable and environment-friendly packaging. The biodegradable paper and plastic packaging industry growth is backed by the rising environmental concerns and the increasing willingness of the population worldwide to pay more for sustainable solutions and ‘greener’ packaging.
Biodegradable Paper and Plastic Packaging Market Analysis
The cost of sustainable packaging solutions relies on the volume of production, the expenses of research and development, as well as the dynamic price of packaging materials, which is often high. This factor is anticipated to have an unfavorable effect on the biodegradable paper and plastic packaging market, limiting its growth. On the bright side, manufacturers are constantly working on the development and introduction of less expensive alternatives to overcome the drawback.
The biodegradable paper and plastic packaging market is divided into five categories based on type such as cellulose-based plastic, starch-based plastic, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polylactic acid (PLA), and others. The polylactic acid segment held more than 22.5% market share in 2021 and is expected to be worth over USD 1 billion by 2030. PLA is a highly clear material that can be easily recycled. It is frequently used for thermoformed applications for the packaging of dairy goods, ready-to-eat food packaging, clear blister packaging, and drink cups for cold beverages.
The market is categorized into paper and plastic, based on materials. The paper-based packaging material segment was worth over USD 900 million in 2021, and it is anticipated to expand at over 11% CAGR during the projection timeframe. The most widely used and conventional type of environmentally sustainable packing materials are paper and paperboard. Growing consumer preference for paper-based packaging, which is considered to be more beneficial for the environment owing to qualities such as simple recycling, decomposition, and home composability, will facilitate the segmental expansion.
In terms of end-user, worldwide biodegradable paper and plastic packaging market is bifurcated into healthcare, personal and home care, catering service wares, food and beverages, and others. The market share from catering service wares segment was remunerated over USD 300 million in 2021 and will continue to grow at more than 11.5% CAGR through 2030, owing to the rapidly expanding catering services sector throughout the world’s largest countries, particularly in Asia Pacific. Catering services and other similar food service providers use biodegradable paper and plastic packaging for packing their products.
Asia Pacific biodegradable paper and plastic packaging market size is projected to expand at over 11% CAGR over the forecast period and surpass a valuation of USD 2 billion by 2030. Together with the region's booming population, particularly in China and India, there is rise in number of food and beverage companies. The increased demand for food products, emerging trend of online food ordering, and convenience of delivering packaged food have expedited the industry expansion in APAC.
Biodegradable Paper and Plastic Packaging Market Share
Leading participants in biodegradable paper and plastic packaging market space are
In order to establish a strong position in the market, manufacturers are deliberately investing to develop solutions in line with emerging customer needs.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
The pandemic has had negative effects on the growth biodegradable paper and plastic packaging industry. As manufacturers adjust to the dynamically changing situation, businesses in every industry, including packaging, will need to adopt new technologies and working methods. However, the COVID-19 crisis has unavoidably birthed some innovations as the market is compelled to adapt to a higher level of packaging safety, which transform the industry outlook in the coming years.
The biodegradable paper and plastic packaging market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of volume in thousand tons and revenue in USD million from 2018 to 2030 for the following segments:
Click here to Buy Section of this Report
By Type
By Material
By End-User
By Region
Research methodology, data sources & validation process
This report draws on a structured research process built around direct industry conversations, proprietary modelling, and rigorous cross-validation and not just desk research.
Our 6-step research process
1. Research design & analyst oversight
At GMI, our research methodology is built on a foundation of human expertise, rigorous validation, and complete transparency. Every insight, trend analysis, and forecast in our reports is developed by experienced analysts who understand the nuances of your market.
Our approach integrates extensive primary research through direct engagement with industry participants and experts, complemented by comprehensive secondary research from verified global sources. We apply quantified impact analysis to deliver dependable forecasts, while maintaining complete traceability from original data sources to final insights.
2. Primary research
Primary research forms the backbone of our methodology, contributing nearly 80% to overall insights. It involves direct engagement with industry participants to ensure accuracy and depth in analysis. Our structured interview program covers regional and global markets, with inputs from C-suite executives, directors, and subject matter experts. These interactions provide strategic, operational, and technical perspectives, enabling well-rounded insights and reliable market forecasts.
3. Data mining & market analysis
Data mining is a key part of our research process, contributing nearly 20% to the overall methodology. It involves analysing market structure, identifying industry trends, and assessing macroeconomic factors through revenue share analysis of major players. Relevant data is collected from both paid and unpaid sources to build a reliable database. This information is then integrated to support primary research and market sizing, with validation from key stakeholders such as distributors, manufacturers, and associations.
4. Market sizing
Our market sizing is built on a bottom-up approach, starting with company revenue data gathered directly through primary interviews, alongside production volume figures from manufacturers and installation or deployment statistics. These inputs are then pieced together across regional markets to arrive at a global estimate that stays grounded in actual industry activity.
5. Forecast model & key assumptions
Every forecast includes explicit documentation of:
✓ Key growth drivers and their assumed impact
✓ Restraining factors and mitigation scenarios
✓ Regulatory assumptions and policy change risk
✓ Technology adoption curve parameter
✓ Macroeconomic assumptions (GDP growth, inflation, currency)
✓ Competitive dynamics and market entry/exit expectations
6. Validation & quality assurance
The final stages involve human validation, where domain experts manually review filtered data to identify nuances and contextual errors that automated systems might miss. This expert review adds a critical layer of quality assurance, ensuring data aligns with research objectives and domain-specific standards.
Our triple-layer validation process ensures maximum data reliability:
✓ Statistical Validation
✓ Expert Validation
✓ Market Reality Check
Trust & credibility
Verified data sources
Trade publications
Security & defense sector journals and trade press
Industry databases
Proprietary and third-party market databases
Regulatory filings
Government procurement records and policy documents
Academic research
University studies and specialist institution reports
Company reports
Annual reports, investor presentations, and filings
Expert interviews
C-suite, procurement leads, and technical specialists
GMI archive
13,000+ published studies across 30+ industry verticals
Trade data
Import/export volumes, HS codes, and customs records
Parameters studied & evaluated
Every data point in this report is validated through primary interviews, true bottom-up modelling, and rigorous cross-checks. Read about our research process →