Molded Pulp Packaging Market Size By Product (Trays, Cups, Clamshells, Plates, Splitters), By Type (Rotary Molding Pulp, Fiber Thermoforming/Wet Press, Industrial Molding Pulp/Dry Press), By Industry (Eggs, Agriculture, Food & Food Service, Electronics, Appliances, Other Industrial), Industry Analysis Report, Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2021 – 2027

Industry Trends

Molded Pulp Packaging Market size was USD 3.2 billion in 2020 and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of over 5.1% from 2021 to 2027 owing to the growing demand for environment-friendly packaging solutions from end-user industries along with the rising stringent environmental regulations.
 

Molded pulp packaging is made from recycled wood and non-wood materials such as paper boards, newsprints, etc. It is used for protective packaging and carrier in poultry and food & food service industries. Different product type finds specific application across key end-user sectors. For instance, molded pulp splitters and clamshells are highly used in the agriculture and food industry.
 

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The product demand is growing with the increasing consumption of packaged goods, subsequently enhancing the demand for molded pulps and the market around the world will be driven by the highly beneficial characteristics associated with the product. The characteristics include lower cost compared to EPS foam, complicated die-cut corrugated, PE foam, space saving in transportation, warehousing and assembly floor space, stronger than competitor products, recyclability, and price stability.
 

The ongoing trend of implementing innovative sustainability methods by companies along with rising organizations’ efforts to re-brand the company as an environmental-friendly manufacturer of goods for consumers is boosting the molded pulp packaging market share. Companies around the world are shifting toward cost-saving alternatives for packaging, saving space, and time. They can reap benefits of lower costs and a green image by replacing traditional packaging materials with eco-friendly materials such as molded pulp.
 

The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to hamper industry growth

The COVID-19 has impacted the consumer spending and consumption pattern around the world. Fast-moving consumer goods have suffered from the decreased demand from end consumers. Concerns regarding the spread of coronavirus and development of the pandemic are expected to affect the spending patterns. Low demand for eggs, fruits, and agro products had a significant impact on the molded pulp packaging market sales in 2020.
 

Food & foodservice, electronics, appliances, and other industrial end-user industries have suffered significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cumulatively, the aforementioned industries are responsible for over 10% demand share of the total market. The food & food service business suffered from the closure of eateries and restaurants around the world. The electronics and appliances industry witnessed a huge loss due to reduced demand and global economic slowdown.
 

Agriculture and poultry industries will drive clamshell demand

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Clamshell was the most attractive product segment and is anticipated to remain the most lucrative product segment during the forecast period. It accounted for an 8.9% share in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast timespan. Growing agriculture & poultry production coupled with the healthcare industry will drive the molded pulp packaging market growth in the coming years.
 

The trays molded pulp packaging segment is projected to reach USD 3.5 billion by 2027. Molded pulp trays are used as base materials in corrugated shipping boxes to prevent fruits from catching mold and bruises during long-haul and short-haul shipments. High growth can be attributed to its increasing demand in agro and food & foodservice industries owing to its convenience of use and environment-friendly nature.
 

The food & beverage industry is the prime growth driver for the trays designed with molded pulp solutions. The rapidly growing fast food industry in the world will drive the clamshell demand during the forecast period. Personalized marketing solutions offered by manufacturers, such as colors and graphics embossment, will likely promote the adoption of fast-food chains and restaurants.
 

Growing product usage in the construction industry will have a positive impact on market growth

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Rotary molded pulp possesses the highest share in the molded pulp packaging market as it accounted for over 55% share in 2020 and is likely to grow with the highest CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast timespan. This can be attributed to its unique & wider benefits attached to the employed rotary molding process. In the rotary molding process, a heated pulp filled mold is slowly rotated causing the material to uniformly disperse, creating a seamless molding pulp. Its production is simple to operate and maintain. It has high molding productivity, consumes less energy with less manufacturing cost, easy interchangeability of mold tooling, and faster setting time.
 

The rotary molding process is one of the oldest molding processes largely employed for plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymer (ABS). In recent years, it is increasingly used to produce molded pulp products. The improvement in rotary molding production processes and equipment has enabled the molding of pulp materials including natural fibers such as wood and paper.
 

Several molten pulp products are made including egg carton of multi-cavity sizes; apple tray; can shell types; fruit tray; tomato tray; cup carriers used in fast food outlets; hospital & medical care products (such as bedpan sleeves, male & female urinal pots; bowls; kidney tray); seed pots; electronic products packing pads; industrial packs (packing buffers); tableware; paper trays, and nursery pots.
 

Egg will remain the largest industry over the forecast period

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Eggs form an inseparable part of the western diet with their use in many major dishes. Molded pulp packaging demand for eggs accounted for around 75% market share in 2020 and is anticipated to grow with a 5.1% CAGR till 2027. According to UN figures, total egg production worldwide rose from 61.7 million tonnes in 2008 to 76.8 million tonnes in 2018. The eggs industry is the largest consumer of molded pulp packaging.
 

Egg processors in North America and Europe largely use molded pulp for packaging. Molded pulp packaging has become standard for the eggs industry as most consumers are preferring molded pulp packaging over any other options. The egg demand and per capita consumption are rising. Rising economic level in Asia Pacific is changing the consumption pattern of consumers. More people are consuming eggs now than ever owing to low prices, economic growth, and abundant availability. Strong growth in egg consumption will drive product demand in coming years.
 

Agriculture industry accounted for USD 181.2 million in 2020, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast timespan. The agriculture business around the world has been observing a constant & firm expansion with the agribusiness landscape largely driven by strong consumer demand and a steadily growing middle-class population.
 

The growth is also driven by increasing agriculture trade activities among the countries around the world. As per the U.S. Census Bureau’s Foreign Trade Division, in 2020, Mexico’s agricultural and fishing output is anticipated to grow by about 4.6%. These developments will offer numerous opportunities for the growth of agriproduct exports and successively its packaging materials. Growing population is forcing agriculture producers to produce more food. Rise in the agriculture industry will propel molded pulp packaging market growth in coming years.
 

Eggs will remain the major industry in North America molded pulp packaging market

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North America will hold a share of around 25% in 2027, with gains close to 4.8% CAGR between 2021 and 2027. The eggs industry is the largest end-user industry in the region followed by the food & food services industry. Molded pulp packaging demand for eggs was valued at USD 589.7 million in 2020 and is likely to grow at a CAGR of around 5% till 2027. For instance, eggs consumption in the U.S. has grown 15% in the last 20 years. According to United Eggs Producers, the U.S. table egg production in 2020 was 96.9 billion around 50% of which were sold in retail outlets.
 

North America also has a strong presence of other end-user industries such as food & food services, agriculture, and electronics. Consumers of the U.S. and Canada have developed a habit of mostly eating out. North America held a large share in the global outdoor eating market; thus, the food & food services industry is the second largest consumer of molded pulp in the region.
 

Manufacturers are increasing production capacity

Companies working in the molded pulp packaging market are increasing their production capacity to cater to the growing product demand across the globe. For instance, in November 2014, UFP Technologies, Inc. established a new molded fiber packaging facility in El Paso, Texas. This strategy enabled the company to strengthen its market position in North America.
 

Other companies operating in the molded pulp packaging industry are Smurfit Kappa, Sonoco Products Company, Pacific Pulp Molding, Western Pulp Products Company, Alta Global, Inc., Huhtamaki, DS Smith, CMPC, YFY Jupiter, Enviropak, Molpack Corporation Ltd., Best Plus Pulp Co., Ltd., Hartmann, and Stora Enso.
 

The molded pulp packaging market report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of volume in Kilo Tons and revenue in USD Million from 2017 to 2027 for the following segments:

By Product

• Trays
• Cups
• Clamshells
• Plates
• Splitters
• Others

By Type

• Rotary Molding
• Fiber Thermoforming/Wet Press
• Industrial Molding Pulp/Dry Press

By Industry

• Eggs
• Agriculture
• Food & Food Services
• Electronics
• Appliances
• Other Industrial
• Others

The above information is provided on a regional and country basis for the following:

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Russia
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE