PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931512
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931512
Plant-based food packaging is crafted from renewable and biodegradable materials such as cornstarch, sugarcane, or mushroom mycelium, aimed at reducing environmental impact. It offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging, helping to cut down on waste and carbon emissions. This type of packaging is used for various food products to promote sustainability and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
The primary types of plant-based food packaging include paper-based, biodegradable and compostable packaging, and recyclable plastic packaging. Paper-based packaging is made mainly from paper and its derivatives and is valued for its sustainability, as it can be recycled multiple times and is biodegradable. Materials used in different packaging formats include bioplastics, mycelium, bagasse, starch-based substances, and paper. These materials are employed in various packaging types such as flexible packaging, stand-up pouches, flat bottom bags, flow wraps, rigid packaging, trays, containers, and bottles.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs are impacting the plant-based food packaging market by increasing costs of imported biopolymers, processing equipment, additives, and specialty coatings used in compostable packaging formats. North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported bio-based inputs, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on export-oriented packaging products. These tariffs are increasing unit costs and slowing adoption among small food brands. However, they are also encouraging domestic sourcing of agricultural feedstocks, regional bioplastic production, and investment in localized sustainable packaging manufacturing.
The plant-based food packaging market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides plant-based food packaging market statistics, including plant-based food packaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a plant-based food packaging market share, detailed plant-based food packaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the plant-based food packaging industry. This plant-based food packaging market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The plant-based food packaging market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $7.2 billion in 2025 to $8.14 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising consumer awareness of plastic pollution, expansion of organic and natural food markets, availability of agricultural waste feedstock, early adoption by food brands, supportive environmental regulations.
The plant-based food packaging market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.33 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing investments in bio-based material innovation, rising demand from foodservice chains, expansion of composting infrastructure, increasing regulatory restrictions on single-use plastics, scale-up of plant-based packaging production. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of biodegradable food packaging, rising use of plant-based raw materials, growing demand for compostable packaging formats, expansion of molded fiber and mycelium packaging, enhanced focus on plastic replacement solutions.
The increasing adoption of online shopping is expected to drive the growth of the plant-based food packaging market in the coming years. Online shopping involves purchasing goods and services through the internet, allowing consumers to buy products from the comfort of their homes without visiting physical retail stores. This approach saves time by offering a convenient way to browse, compare, and complete purchases. As online shoppers increasingly prefer eco-friendly options, retailers are adopting plant-based packaging solutions that support customization and convenience while enabling brand differentiation. For example, in May 2024, according to the United States Census Bureau, a US-based government agency, e-commerce sales in the first quarter of 2024 increased by 8.5% compared to the first quarter of 2023, while total retail sales rose by 2.8% over the same period. Consequently, the growing adoption of online shopping is fueling the expansion of the plant-based food packaging market.
Companies operating in the plant-based food packaging market are advancing sustainable packaging solutions to offer biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics, thereby reducing waste and environmental impact. Sustainable packaging practices involve designing, producing, and disposing of packaging materials in ways that minimize environmental footprints by using eco-friendly, resource-efficient materials and processes that support a circular economy. For instance, in March 2024, Donovan Bros Ltd., a UK-based sustainable packaging solutions provider, introduced mushroom-based packaging. This environmentally friendly and biodegradable food packaging solution combines agricultural waste with mycelium to create strong, compostable packaging suitable for a wide range of food products. The innovative design also delivers a distinctive unboxing experience.
In May 2023, TIPA Compostable Packaging Ltd., an Israel-based sustainable packaging company, acquired Bio4Pack for US$8 million. Through this acquisition, TIPA sought to expand its presence across the European market and strengthen its portfolio of compostable and plant-based packaging solutions. Bio4Pack B.V. is a Germany-based sustainable packaging company specializing in the production of certified compostable and bio-based packaging materials for food and consumer goods applications.
Major companies operating in the plant-based food packaging market are Amcor plc, WestRock Company, International Paper, Tetra Pak International S.A., Stora Enso, Huhtamaki, Mondi Group, Cascades Inc., Glatfelter Corporation, Genpak, Nordic Paper, Danimer Scientific, Good Natured Products Inc., Vegware, Sulapac Oy, Be Green Packaging, BioPak, TIPA LTD, WorldCentric.com, Ecologic, Earthpack
Europe was the largest region in the plant-based food packaging market in 2025 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the plant-based food packaging market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the plant-based food packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The plant-based food packaging consists of sales of biodegradable bags, compostable containers, plant-based plastics, and paper and cardboard packaging. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Plant-Based Food Packaging Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses plant-based food packaging market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for plant-based food packaging ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The plant-based food packaging market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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