Molded fiber pulp packaging is one of the sustainable packaging types manufactured using recycled paper wastes. Recycled material includes waste newspapers, papers, cardboards, etc. Molded fiber pulp, also known as molded pulp or molded fiber primarily used for protective packaging.
Molded fiber pulp packaging is recyclable and, thus, considered a sustainable packaging material by Sustainable Packaging Coalition (GreenBlue), an environment-based non-profit organization located in the U.S. The types of molded fiber pulp packaging based on product type are thick wall, transfer molded, thermoformed, and processed pulp.
Eco-friendly and biodegradable molded pulp packaging is gaining wide acceptance and recognition. Molded fiber is a classic packaging material made from 100% recycled materials such as paperboard and newsprint. Moreover, the molded pulp fiber manufacturing process has no wastage, as all the residue and water are reused and recycled.
The environment-friendly and green molded fiber packaging meets customers’ needs, and expectations in terms of both packaging excellence and ecological development and responsibility are some of the factors which are expected to boost the global molded fiber pulp packaging market growth over the forecast period.
Market Value and Forecast
The packaging industry has witnessed significant modifications over the past decade; packaging with molded fiber gains wide attention as it promotes environmental concern and green packaging. Moreover, it acts as a competitive advantage for the companies by differentiating their products from the competitors to gain market share and increase their presence in other business verticals and regions.
Market Dynamics
The prime factors powering the demand for molded fiber pulp packaging market are environment friendly & biodegradable packaging, which ensures packaging excellence and ecological development coupled with excellent vibration dampening & cushioning properties. Factors such as growing egg consumption worldwide, rising demand for customized molded fiber pulp products, and an alternative material to expanded polystyrene (EPS).
Moreover, cost-effective medium for packaging, which ensures minimum inventory and warehouse cost, and technological advancements in molded fiber are factors driving the global molded fiber pulp packaging market soon. However, the threat of substitutes such as expanded polystyrene (EPS), plastics, etc., along with lower strength threshold of short fiber used as a raw material in molded pulp packaging, are some of the factors that may hamper the growth of molded fiber pulp packaging market during the forecast period.
Market Segmentation by Molded Pulp Type
Based on molded pulp type, the market is categorized into a thick wall, transfer molded, thermoformed fiber, and processed pulp. The transfer molded segment is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period among all the above-stated segments. The latest trend among key players in the molded fiber pulp packaging industry is market consolidation through mergers and acquisitions. The transfer molding segment is expected to account for significant market share, followed by thermoformed fiber and thick wall segments, respectively.
Market Segmentation, by Product Type
The market has been segmented into tray, clamshell & container, boxes, end caps, and others (cups, bowls) based on product type. Tray segment controlled XX % revenue share of the market in 2018 and is expected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period due to increased consumption of eggs and fruits soon along with its lightweight and recyclability features.
Market Segmentation, by End-Use
The end-use for molded fiber pulp packaging market can be classified as consumer durables & electronics goods packaging, food & beverage packaging, cosmetic & beauty products packaging, healthcare product packaging, automotive parts packaging, transportation & logistics, etc. (candles, flower packaging). The consumer durables & electronics goods packaging segment is further sub-segmented into tube light & bulbs, mobile phones, and others (DVD’s, Modems, and TV).
The food & beverage packaging segment is further sub-segmented into egg packaging, wine packaging, fruit packaging, and others (vegetables and frozen food). In terms of value, the food & beverage packaging segment accounted for XX % market value share in 2018 and will continue to dominate over the forecast period. The consumer goods packaging segment is anticipated to grow with a relatively high CAGR in terms of value. It is attributed to the increasing adoption of environmentally friendly packaging products among the food & beverage packaging industry.
Key Regions
In this report, the global molded fiber pulp packaging market has been segmented into seven major regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, the Middle East & Africa (MEA).
In terms of revenue, Western Europe accounted for the highest share of XX % in 2016, followed by North America. Meanwhile, revenue from the Asia Pacific market excluding Japan (APEJ) is expected to expand at the highest CAGR of XX over the forecast period.
Moreover, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) is expected to be the most favorable region in incremental opportunities lying ahead for high revenue generation. The mature markets, i.e., Western Europe and North America, are highly regulated. Still, they created a substantial demand for molded fiber pulp packaging worth over US$ XX Bn and US XX Bn in 2018, respectively. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa collectively represented XX% of the global molded fiber pulp packaging market value share, which is US$ XX Mn in 2018.
Key Players
Some of the major players in the global molded fiber pulp packaging market that are covered in this report are UFP Technologies, Inc., ESCO Technologies Inc., Huhtamaki Oyj, Brodrene Hartmann A/S, Henry Molded Products, Inc., ProtoPak Engineering Corporation, EnviroPAK Corporation, Pacific Pulp Molding, LLC, Keiding, Inc., FiberCel Packaging, LLC, Guangxi Qiaowang Pulp Packing Products Co, Ltd., Guangzhou NANYA Pulp Molding Equipment Co., Ltd., Pactiv LLC (Reynolds Group Holdings Ltd.), OrCon Industries Corporation, Celluloses De La Loire, Spectrum Lithograph, Inc., Dynamic Fibre Moulding (PTY) Ltd., Primapack SAE, Jiangyin Greenpacking Trade Co., Ltd., and Dongguan City Luheng Papers Company Ltd.The report also describes company-specific strategies related to key developments and market consolidation initiatives.
