Biodegradable Food Service Disposables Market

Market Overview:

The global biodegradable food service disposables market size reached USD 8.1 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 12.5 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% during 2025-2033. The growing consumer awareness, increasing disposal issues of plastic and paper disposables, and rising ban on plastic cups represent some of the key factors driving the market.

Rising Issues of Plastic and Paper Disposables Impelling Market Growth

The rising disposal issues of plastic and paper disposables currently represent one of the primary drivers of biodegradable food service disposables. The plastic and paper disposables cause costly waste contamination problems for local authorities, which in turn, is catalyzing the demand for biodegradable alternatives as compared to non-biodegradable materials. In addition, biodegradable disposables can be disposed into landfills naturally without creating any negative impact on the environment, which is contributing to the growth of the market.

Competitive analysis such as market structure, market share by key players, player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided. The market structure is fragmented with several small and large players operating in the industry. The volume of new entrants is high in the biodegradable food service disposables industry due to the easy access to distribution network and low capital investment. In addition, the product differentiation and switching costs are low in the biodegradable food service disposables industry.

What are Biodegradable Food Service Disposables?

Biodegradable food service disposables comprise numerous tableware, such as bowls, trays, straws, bottles, food service wraps, and skewers. They are manufactured from various naturally occurring substances, including paper, sugarcane fiber, corn starch, wheat, and bran. They are convenient, lightweight, cost-effective, and widely available in different sizes, shapes, and colors. They are also sustainable and easily disposed of in the environment and aid in reducing the risk of food contamination. Besides this, they assist in preventing various foodborne diseases, such as E. coli, listeria, campylobacter, clostridium perfringens, and norovirus, among individuals across the globe.

COVID-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has caused a severe problem for the biodegradable food service disposables industry and imposed unprecedented challenges on numerous countries. There was a closure of ports, numerous trade restrictions, and supply chain disruptions across the globe due to the pandemic, which caused shortages and high raw materials prices. In addition to this, the production of biodegradable disposables was halted on account of the closure of manufacturing units. Moreover, shut down of restaurants, cafes, pubs, and other food service chains has led to a decline in the demand for disposables around the world. Besides this, exports and imports of raw materials were restricted due to the fear of the widespread coronavirus. Border closures caused various challenges for companies with extended supply chains and led to huge losses in revenues for a firm. The imposition of stringent movement and travel bans across the globe has hampered the demand for biodegradable food service disposables. However, governing agencies of various countries have reopened the lockdown, which is projected to increase the sales of biodegradable disposables around the world in the coming years. Additionally, post-pandemic, various food takeaway services are utilizing disposable cutleries packaging to ensure the safety and hygiene of food products. 

Biodegradable Food Service Disposables Market Trends:

At present, the increasing disposal issues of plastic, as it is a non-biodegradable product, represents one of the key factors contributing to the growth of the market. Additionally, the rising consumer awareness about utilizing environment friendly products that assist in maintaining hygiene and safety is offering lucrative growth opportunities to industry investors. Apart from this, governing agencies of various countries are encouraging the adoption of biodegradable disposables by imposing a ban on plastic cups, which is offering a positive market outlook. In addition to this, the wide and easy availability of raw materials used in the manufacturing of biodegradable food service disposables is strengthening the growth of the market. Moreover, the rising focus on biodegradable alternatives due to the lack of recycling facilities for paper and plastic disposables around the world is propelling the growth of the market. Besides this, the growing adoption of biodegradable disposables in the food and beverage (F&B) industry due to the rising demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) products among the masses across the globe is positively influencing the market.

Key Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global biodegradable food service disposables market report, along with forecasts at the global and regional level from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on raw material type, product type and distribution channel.

Raw Material Type Insights:

• Pulp and Paper
• Biopolymers
• Leaves
• Wood
   

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the biodegradable food service disposables market based on the raw material type. This includes pulp and paper, biopolymers, leaves, and wood. According to the report, pulp and paper represented the largest segment, as they are widely utilized for the production of food service disposables, such as uncoated sugarcane-bagasse, molded bulrush fiber pulp, wheat fiber, palm fiber, bamboo, and reed by-products fiber. In addition, there is a rise in the utilization of paper and pulp, as they are environmental-friendly.

Product Type Insights:

• Cups
• Clamshells and Containers
• Plates
• Cutleries
• Others
   

A detailed breakup and analysis of the biodegradable food service disposables market based on the product type has also been provided in the report. This includes cups, clamshells and containers, plates, cutleries, and others. According to the report, cups accounted for the largest market share, as there is a rise in the preference for on-the-go food and convenient solutions due to the busy lifestyle and hectic working schedules of individuals. Moreover, the growing adoption of cups on account of the increasing number of food services joints is positively influencing the market.

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Business to Business (B2B)
• Business to Customer (B2C)
  • Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
  • Online Stores
  • Others
     

A detailed breakup and analysis of the biodegradable food service disposables market based on the distribution channel has also been provided in the report. This includes business to business (B2B) and business to customer (B2C) (supermarkets and hypermarkets, online stores, and others). According to the report, business to business (B2B) accounted for the largest market share, as it involves the sales of the products directly from manufacturers to the commercial sectors, such as hotels and restaurants. Additionally, the rising number of food service chains, along with the thriving hospitality sector across the globe, is supporting the growth of the market.

Regional Insights:

• Europe
• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa
• Latin America
   

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. According to the report, Europe was the largest market for biodegradable food service disposables. Some of the factors driving the Europe biodegradable food service disposables market included various stringent regulations and bans against single-use plastic and paper disposables, favorable government initiatives to promote the usage of biodegradable alternatives, and insufficient recycling facilities to process all the waste. In addition to this, the rising utilization of bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) cups and plates in the food service restaurants is positively influencing the market across the region.

Competitive Landscape:

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the global biodegradable food service disposables market.

Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the biodegradable food service disposables market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global biodegradable food service disposables market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the biodegradable food service disposables industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.