Food Contact Paper Market Size, Trends and Growth Analysis by 2027

The global market for food contact paper was valued at approximately US$ 68.6 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to grow to US$ 97.8 billion by 2028, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2021 to 2028.

Food contact papers serve as essential packaging materials for a variety of food items, including baked goods, confectionery, meats, snacks, and grain products. These papers are considered sustainable alternatives to traditional packaging materials like plastic and glass. The increasing efforts by companies to minimize their carbon footprints are driving the global shift towards food contact paper. Additionally, the rising consumer demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging solutions is further propelling the growth of food paper packaging.

The global food contact paper market is categorized by application into several segments: bakery and confectionery, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry, and others. In 2020, the bakery and confectionery segment held a substantial share of the market revenue. Food contact paper is widely utilized in the bakery and confectionery industry, with parchment paper being a popular choice due to its heat resistance and non-stick properties. This type of paper is commonly used to avoid greasing baking sheets, facilitating quick batch turnovers with minimal cleanup. Greaseproof paper is also favored for bakery products as it can endure various conditions, from high oven temperatures to deep freezing and humidity.

From a geographical perspective, the food contact paper market is divided into regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), South and Central America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). In 2020, the Asia Pacific region led the global food contact paper market and is projected to maintain this leadership throughout the forecast period. The expansion of the foodservice sector in Asian nations, heightened environmental awareness, and increasing government initiatives to prohibit plastic packaging in several countries are expected to boost the demand for sustainable packaging solutions, thereby fostering growth in the food contact paper market within the Asia Pacific region.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges to various industries, including chemicals and materials. Manufacturers of packaging products experienced a decline in sales during the early months of the pandemic due to raw material shortages, labor constraints, factory shutdowns, and operational challenges stemming from safety protocols. Additionally, shifts in consumer lifestyles and eating habits led to a decrease in the consumption of ready-to-eat and takeout food, negatively impacting the demand for food contact papers. However, as lockdowns are lifted in many countries with appropriate safety measures, the demand for food contact papers is expected to rebound. The pandemic also accelerated the growth of the e-commerce sector, which saw a surge in demand for packaged foods and groceries, including fresh produce, due to the closure of physical stores, thereby increasing the use of food contact papers.

Key players in the global food contact paper market include Mondi, Westrock Company, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Twin River Paper Company, UPM, Ahlstrom-Munksj?, GM Packaging (UK) Ltd, Superiorpaper Pty Ltd, TopCare, and KRPA Holding CZ, a.s. These companies are at the forefront of the food contact paper industry, contributing to its growth and innovation.

The overall size of the global food contact paper market has been determined through a combination of primary and secondary research methods. The research process began with extensive secondary research utilizing both internal and external sources to gather qualitative and quantitative data related to the market. Furthermore, numerous primary interviews were conducted with industry stakeholders to validate the findings and gain deeper analytical insights. Participants in this research included industry experts such as vice presidents, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, as well as external consultants like valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders specializing in the food contact paper market.