Product Code: GVR-4-68040-578-0
Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Growth & Trends:
The global eco-friendly food packaging market size is anticipated to reach USD 353.78 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 7.6% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is primarily driven by increasing consumer awareness and demand for sustainable products. With growing environmental consciousness, consumers are actively seeking packaging that minimizes environmental impact. This trend is especially strong among millennials and Gen Z, who are more willing to pay a premium for eco-conscious choices. For instance, brands such as Boxed Water and Just Water have gained popularity by offering water in recyclable or compostable packaging. Food service providers and retailers are also responding to this shift by adopting biodegradable or reusable alternatives to plastic containers and wraps.
Government regulations and international policies are also playing a crucial role in driving the eco-friendly food packaging market. Many countries have implemented bans or restrictions on single-use plastics, thereby accelerating the shift toward compostable, recyclable, or reusable packaging solutions. The European Union's Single-Use Plastics Directive and Canada's ban on plastic checkout bags, cutlery, and certain food containers are examples of regulatory actions that are pushing companies to invest in sustainable packaging options.
Corporate sustainability goals and ESG commitments have further intensified the move toward eco-friendly food packaging. Major food brands and FMCG companies are committing to reducing their carbon footprint and waste generation. For instance, Nestle and Unilever have pledged to make 100% of their packaging recyclable or reusable within this decade. These goals are not only intended to meet regulatory standards but also to align with investor expectations around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. The adoption of plant-based materials such as PLA (polylactic acid), paperboard, and mushroom packaging reflects these commitments.
Furthermore, technological advancements and innovations in material science are enabling the development of high-performance, eco-friendly packaging solutions. New materials such as seaweed-based packaging and cellulose-based packaging offer not only environmental benefits but also comparable durability and shelf-life performance to conventional plastics. Companies such as Notpla and TIPA are pioneering such innovations, which are increasingly being adopted by foodservice companies and fresh food suppliers. These innovations are creating a competitive edge for early adopters and are expected to lower costs through economies of scale, making eco-friendly packaging more accessible to a broader market.
Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Report Highlights:
- Based on materials, the recyclable segment accounted for the largest share of over 43.0% of the market in 2024.
- The compostable material segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period.
- Based on product, the boxes & cartons segment accounted for the largest share of over 30.0% of the market in 2024.
- The bags segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period.
- Based on application, the foodservice segment dominated the market in 2024 by accounting for the largest revenue share of over 41.0% and is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR of 8.2% over the forecast period of 2025 to 2030.
- In March 2025, Nestle invested approximately USD 17.0 million in its Girona coffee factory in Catalonia to establish two new sustainable packaging lines aimed at increasing the use of recyclable materials and reducing virgin plastic consumption. These new lines will produce the first Nescafe refill bags made from recyclable materials in Spain, which reduce packaging weight by 97% compared to glass jars, and a high-speed line packaging Nescafe sachets in recyclable mono-material, expected to cut virgin plastic use by 60 tonnes annually.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope
- 1.1. Research Methodology
- 1.1.1. Market Segmentation
- 1.1.2. Market Definition
- 1.2. Research Scope & Assumptions
- 1.3. Information Procurement
- 1.3.1. Purchased Database
- 1.3.2. GVR's Internal Database
- 1.3.3. Secondary Sources & Third-Party Perspectives
- 1.3.4. Primary Research
- 1.4. Information Analysis
- 1.4.1. Data Analysis Models
- 1.5. Market Formulation & Data Visualization
- 1.6. Data Validation & Publishing
- 1.7. List of Abbreviations
Chapter 2. Executive Summary
- 2.1. Market Snapshot, 2024 (USD Million)
- 2.2. Segmental Snapshot
- 2.3. Competitive Landscape Snapshot
Chapter 3. Global Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Variables, Trends, and Scope
- 3.1. Market Lineage Outlook
- 3.2. Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping
- 3.3. Industry Value Chain Analysis
- 3.3.1. Raw Material Trends
- 3.3.2. Manufacturing/Technology Trends
- 3.4. Sales Channel Analysis
- 3.5. Regulatory Framework
- 3.6. Market Dynamics
- 3.6.1. Market Driver Analysis
- 3.6.2. Market Restraint Analysis
- 3.6.3. Market Opportunity Analysis
- 3.6.4. Market Challenge Analysis
- 3.7. Business Environment Analysis
- 3.7.1. Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 3.7.2. PESTEL Analysis
Chapter 4. Global Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market: Material Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 4.1. Key Takeaways
- 4.2. Material Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2024 & 2030
- 4.2.1. Biodegradable
- 4.2.1.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 4.2.2. Recyclable
- 4.2.2.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 4.2.3. Compostable
- 4.2.3.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 5. Global Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market: Product Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 5.1. Key Takeaways
- 5.2. Product Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2024 & 2030
- 5.2.1. Bags
- 5.2.1.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 5.2.2. Boxes & Cartons
- 5.2.2.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 5.2.3. Bottles & Jars
- 5.2.3.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 5.2.4. Others
- 5.2.4.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 6. Global Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market: Application Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 6.1. Key Takeaways
- 6.2. Application Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2024 & 2030
- 6.2.1. Foodservice
- 6.2.1.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 6.2.2. Food Processing
- 6.2.2.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 6.2.3. Retail
- 6.2.3.1. Market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 7. Global Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 7.1. Key Takeaways
- 7.2. Regional Movement Analysis & Market Share, 2024 & 2030
- 7.3. North America
- 7.3.1. North America Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.3.2. U.S.
- 7.3.2.1. U.S. Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.3.3. Canada
- 7.3.3.1. Canada Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.3.4. Mexico
- 7.3.4.1. Mexico Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.4. Europe
- 7.4.1. Europe Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.4.2. Germany
- 7.4.2.1. Germany Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.4.3. UK
- 7.4.3.1. UK Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.4.4. France
- 7.4.4.1. France Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.4.5. Italy
- 7.4.5.1. Italy Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.4.6. Spain
- 7.4.6.1. Spain Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5. Asia Pacific
- 7.5.1. Asia Pacific Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.2. China
- 7.5.2.1. China Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.3. India
- 7.5.3.1. India Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.4. Japan
- 7.5.4.1. Japan Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.5. South Korea
- 7.5.5.1. South Korea Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.6. Australia
- 7.5.6.1. Australia Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.6. Central & South America
- 7.6.1. Central & South America Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.6.2. Brazil
- 7.6.2.1. Brazil Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.6.3. Argentina
- 7.6.3.1. Argentina Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.7. Middle East & Africa
- 7.7.1. Middle East & Africa Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.7.2. Saudi Arabia
- 7.7.2.1. Saudi Arabia Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.7.3. UAE
- 7.7.3.1. UAE Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.7.4. South Africa
- 7.7.4.1. South Africa Eco-friendly Food Packaging Market Estimates & Forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 8. Competitive Landscape
- 8.1. Key Global Players & Recent Developments & Their Impact on the Industry
- 8.2. Vendor Landscape
- 8.2.1. List of Raw Material Suppliers & Channel Partners
- 8.2.2. Company Categorization
- 8.3. Company Market Position Analysis
- 8.4. Company Heat Map Analysis
- 8.5. Company Dashboard Analysis
- 8.6. Strategy Mapping
- 8.6.1. Expansions
- 8.6.2. Mergers & Acquisitions
- 8.6.3. Collaborations
- 8.6.4. New Product Launches
- 8.6.5. Others
Chapter 9. Company Listing (Overview, Financial Performance, Products Overview)
- 9.1. Amcor plc
- 9.1.1. Company Overview
- 9.1.2. Financial Performance
- 9.1.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.2. Berry Global Inc
- 9.2.1. Company Overview
- 9.2.2. Financial Performance
- 9.2.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.3. Crown Holdings, Inc.
- 9.3.1. Company Overview
- 9.3.2. Financial Performance
- 9.3.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.4. DS Smith
- 9.4.1. Company Overview
- 9.4.2. Financial Performance
- 9.4.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.5. Graphic Packaging International, LLC
- 9.5.1. Company Overview
- 9.5.2. Financial Performance
- 9.5.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.6. Huhtamaki
- 9.6.1. Company Overview
- 9.6.2. Financial Performance
- 9.6.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.7. International Paper
- 9.7.1. Company Overview
- 9.7.2. Financial Performance
- 9.7.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.8. Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG
- 9.8.1. Company Overview
- 9.8.2. Financial Performance
- 9.8.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.9. Sealed Air
- 9.9.1. Company Overview
- 9.9.2. Financial Performance
- 9.9.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.10. Silgan Holdings Inc.
- 9.10.1. Company Overview
- 9.10.2. Financial Performance
- 9.10.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.11. Sonoco Products Company
- 9.11.1. Company Overview
- 9.11.2. Financial Performance
- 9.11.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.12. TOPPAN Inc.
- 9.12.1. Company Overview
- 9.12.2. Financial Performance
- 9.12.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.13. Tetra Pak
- 9.13.1. Company Overview
- 9.13.2. Financial Performance
- 9.13.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.14. Pappco Greenware
- 9.14.1. Company Overview
- 9.14.2. Financial Performance
- 9.14.3. Product Benchmarking
- 9.15. Greendot Biopak Pvt. Ltd.
- 9.15.1. Company Overview
- 9.15.2. Financial Performance
- 9.15.3. Product Benchmarking