ABOUT THIS REPORT
Growth rates for moulded pulp use in foodservice and medical end-use applications are projected at 4.7% and 4.2% CAGR, respectively, while demand for cosmetics applications are projected at 3.6% CAGR.
The market for moulded pulp is expected to continue to grow steadily from 2025 to 2030 as demand for sustainable solutions is supported by the implementation of PPWR in Europe and growing EPR regulation around the world. Growth in Asia and Africa is very strong as these catch up to more mature markets. Consumer preference and corporate sustainability goals are also strong drivers, but cost sensitivity remains high and pulp can be as much as 25% more expensive than plastic in some cases.
Smithers high quality data and analysis is built on primary research and written by genuine industry experts with deep subject matter knowledge.
Key Statistics:
- Global growth: 4.1% CAGR
- Volume:12.6 million tonnes in 2025
- Value:$4.5 billion in 2025
KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED WITHIN THIS REPORT
- In light of continued growth of e-commerce, what are the ways in which moulded pulp can compete with EPS for product protection?
- How will sustainability demands and regulations such as PPWR and EPR drive developments in moulded pulp?
- What developments in barrier coatings are extending possibilities for moulded fibre and opening new end use applications?
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction and Methodology
- Methodology
- Market definitions
Macroeconomic Landscape
Competitive Landscape
- Key highlights
- Case study: Pulpac & Diageo
- Case study: Flora
Market Drivers and Trends
- Economic uncertainty
- Regulations
- Cost
- Urbanisation
- Consumer concerns
- Recyclability/compostability
Technology Trends and Other Developments
- Coatings
- Strength and lightweighting
- Dry moulded fibre
- Sustainable raw materials
- Paper bottles
- E-commerce
Market Sizes and Forecasts
- Global moulded pulp packaging production
- Key highlights
End-use Markets
- Retail food and drink
- Eggs
- Fresh Produce
- Wine and Bottle Shippers
- Other Retail Food & Drink
- Foodservice
- Cosmetics and medical
- Consumer durables
- Consumer Electronics
- Electrical Appliances
- Other Durables
- Industrial goods
- Automotive Parts
- Other Industrials
End-use Markets
- North America
- South & Central America
- Europe
- Eastern Europe
- Middle East & Africa
- Asia-Pacific
Figures
- Moulded Pulp Packaging Demand by End-use (Million Tonnes)
- Disclosure of sustainability-related information
- Metsa Spring takes new moulded fibre food trays with barrier film into industrial testing
- Stora Enso and Matrix Pack partner to accelerate innovation
- Paper-based cap and bottle and were trialling it in stores in the UK
- Several next generation cellulosic feedstocks have already been successfully used in moulded pulp applications
- Real GDP Growth Annual, by Key Regions (% change)
- Dry moulded paper bottle is still in the early stages of development
- Wet moulded tub, certified recyclable with no lining
- Global retail e-commerce sales
- World: moulded pulp packaging consumption, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes; $ million)
- Global moulded pulp packaging production - by region ('000 tonnes and $ million, 2020-30)
- World: moulded pulp packaging consumption - by end-use application, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes; $ million)
- Development of natural gas prices for household consumers in EU 2015-25 (Euro per 100 kwh)
- Development of natural gas prices for non-household consumers in EU 2015-25 (Euro per 100 kwh)
- US: 12-month percentage change, consumer price index - all items (%)
- Asia Pacific: annual percentage change, end-of-period consumer prices, inflation (%)
By end-use application
- Moulded pulp packaging consumption, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes; $ million)
- Pulp packaging consumption - by region, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes; $ million)
List of end-use applications
- Retail food and drink
- Eggs
- Wine and bottle shippers
- Other retail food and drink
- Total foodservices
- Cosmetics and Medical
- Cosmetics and other FMCG
- Medical applications
- Consumer durables
- Consumer electronics
- Electrical appliances
- Other durables
- Industrial goods
- Automotive parts
- Other industrial products
- Global moulded pulp packaging production - by region, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes; $ million)
By region
- Moulded pulp packaging consumption, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes; $ million)
- Pulp packaging consumption - by end-use application, 2020-30 ('000 tonnes; $ million)
List of regions
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- South & Central America
- Brazil
- Other South & Central America
- Western Europe
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- Other Western Europe
- Eastern Europe
- Poland
- Russia
- Other Eastern Europe
- Middle East & Africa
- Turkiye
- Other Middle East
- Africa
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- Other Asia-Pacific
- Australasia