Molded Fiber Packaging Market: Information by Product (Trays, Clamshell Containers, Boxes, End Caps), by Type (Transfer Molded, Thick-wall, Thermoformed Fiber, Processed Pulp), by Source (Wood Pulp, Non-wood Pulp), by End Use (Food & Beverage, Electronics, Personal Care, Healthcare), Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East & Africa) - Forecast till 2025

Molded Fiber Packaging Market Forecast

The global molded fiber packaging market is expected to reach USD 4,914.9 million by 2025 and register a CAGR of 4.90% during the forecast period of 2019 to 2025.

Market Overview:

The global molded fiber packaging market is driven by various factors, such as growing demand in end-use industries and use of sustainable, environment-friendly, protective packaging solutions. However, inefficient raw material sourcing and management might hamper market growth during the forecast period. The global molded fiber packaging market is expected to grow at 4.90% CAGR during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

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  Growing demand in end-use industries

  
  

Molded fiber packaging products are widely used in handling and packaging of various products as they protect the product during shipments. They provide customer convenience as they can be given three - dimensional shapes. They are made of newspapers and other post-consumer products, and are easily recycled, ensuring various environmental benefits. As the packaging industry continues to switch from plastic and Styrofoam-based packaging solutions to molded fiber product due to harmful effects of plastics. Not only the governments across the world, but also the consumers are refraining from the use of plastic packaging as plastic dumping, which is a major environmental issue due to its harmful effects on land and biodiversity. Therefore, these packaging products meet the international food safety regulations as well as they have food safety certification.

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  Use of sustainable, environment-friendly protective packaging solutions

  
  

Restraints

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  Inefficient raw material sourcing and management

  
  

Raw materials form one of the important aspects of the global molded fiber packaging market, which account for a major share of the total cost of production. The major raw materials for molded fiber packaging products are water, wastepaper, and additives and their costs vary with the properties. They include different types of paper waste, such as newspaper, water paper, and cardboard. Lack of raw material sourcing and management can lead to significant losses in terms of revenue for the manufacturers. Using contaminated or inferior quality of wastepaper might result in poor-quality molded fiber packaging production. Thus, profit margins depend on careful sourcing and management of raw materials to a great extent. Fluctuations of demand and supply can also affect raw material sourcing and costs.

Opportunity

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  Research & development (R&D) investments

  
  

The global molded fiber packaging market is very competitive due to the presence of several players. The players focus on research and development for increasing the applications of such packaging products through standardization of designs to ensure perfect copy surfaces of the packaged product. The manufacturers focus on the production of protective molded pulp trays of different designs and geometric dimensions for a wide variety of products, such as electronic products, candles, consumables, wine, and beer. Several manufacturers are trying to replace the plastic products with the molded fiber packaging and other environment-friendly products. Therefore, they are investing heavily in the R&D for the replacement of plastic with molded fiber for various applications.

Segment Overview:

By Product

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  Trays

  
  

A molded fiber tray is a type of protective packaging that is used across various industries for providing cushioning to products during the shipping and storing processes. Robust product presentation, efficient protection, and enhanced shelf-life are some of the benefits associated with molded fiber trays. This type of molded fiber packaging can be molded into any shape, which makes it easy to incorporate them into the internal structure of a package for separating and protecting each part and preventing any potential corrosion or contamination in the materials. These trays are comparatively cheap and environmentally friendly as they are formed using recycled materials, which can be re-recycled after their usual lifecycle. This type of molded tray is used for packaging various products such as healthcare products, automotive & mechanical parts, food & beverages including eggs and wine, due to its cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and flexibility.

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  Clamshell Containers

  
  

Clamshell containers are extensively used for packaging of soaps and detergents as well as they are used for packaging in the foodservice industry. Easy usability, environment-friendly nature, and aesthetic appeal are some of the benefits offered by molded fiber clamshell containers. Moreover, the growing applications of clamshell containers, increasing investments in research and development, and the steady growth of the packaging industry are some of the other factors that drive the growth of the market.

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  Boxes

  
  

Molded fiber boxes can be used for packaging of various products such as cosmetics, automotive, and electronics. For electronic appliances, molded fiber boxes are an ideal choice due to their electrostatic neutrality. These boxes can be molded into any three-dimensional shape and enable a perfect copy surface of a packaged product. Thus, it minimizes the damages of the product during storing and transportation. These boxes are preferred for packaging eggs.

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  End Caps

  
  

Molded pulp end caps serve as ideal packaging solutions for consumer electronics, ceramics, and furniture, which are comparatively sturdy, unlike wine bottles and eggs. Molded fiber end caps provide shock and vibration resistance for appliances and goods during transit, protecting them from damage. These caps are more efficient than foam and plastic packaging materials, and they also provide environmental benefits because of their recyclable nature.

By Type

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  Transfer Molded

  
  

Transfer molded packaging pulp is slightly thinner compared to the thick-walled variety. It is manufactured using one forming mold and one transfer mold, with a wall thickness that ranges between approximately 1/8 and 3/16 inches (3mm and 5mm). The pulp is transferred from one mold to another during the manufacturing process, which is why it is called transfer molded pulp. Therefore, both the front and back surfaces are finished properly, which give them a polished look and texture.

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  Thick-Wall

  
  

Thick-wall, also known as heavy-wall molded pulp, is the thickest molded pulp used for manufacturing packaging products for shipping and transportation applications. It is mainly made using scrap and Kraft paper and cardboard. One surface of the product is smooth while the other side has an unfinished surface. The product wall thickness mainly ranges between approximately 3/16 and 3/8 inches (5mm and 10mm). It is primarily used for supporting the packaging of non-fragile, bulky items, such as vehicle parts, furniture, and motors, due to its thick and rustic profile, which makes it ideal for providing edge protection for heavy equipment.

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  Thermoformed Fiber

  
  

Thermoformed fiber is manufactured using multiple heated molds with a wall thickness ranging between approximately 3/32 and 5/32 inches (2mm and 4mm). Its surfaces are smooth and well detailed with minimal draft angles. The walls are denser due to the hot mold pressing process. It is used for the packaging of those products where high-definition and appearance are essential. Due to its super finished look, they are used primarily for refined molded tableware such as dinner trays, plates, cups, and soup bowls.

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  Processed Pulp

  
  

Products made using processed pulp require some secondary or special treatment rather than being molded and cured. The processed pulp goes through secondary processes such as drying, coating, printing, trimming, hot pressing, and chemical additions. The finished products have properties similar to expanded polystyrene. Therefore, processed pulp makes an excellent cushioning material.

By Source

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  Wood Pulp

  
  

Molded fiber products are primarily made using wood fiber, which is a bio-based resource that is obtained from biomass. Wood fiber is a renewable resource, which does not damage forests and cause deforestation or the loss of biodiversity. Recyclability of the fiber depends on the wood species.

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  Non-wood Pulp

  
  

Non-wood pulps are an essential source of fiber in areas where forest resources are scarce. Increasing environmental concerns and market opportunities are creating a need and interest in non-wood fibers for pulp and paper production. Molded fiber products can also be made from materials other than wood pulp using the same production process. The major advantage of using recycled fibers is the reduction in the use of trees, which reduces the pressure on forests. In many developing countries, most of the fiber comes from non-wood materials, such as bagasse, bamboo, corn straw, reed, jute, flax, grass, and sisal.

By End User

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  Food & Beverage

  
  

Molded fiber packaging products are used for the packaging fast-food, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and glass bottles such as wine. Products such as clam-shell food containers, cup carriers, bowls, plates, food & serving trays, egg trays and cartons, fruit, vegetable trays, and locator trays for bottled products, wine, and jellies are widely used in the food & beverage industry. Furthermore, for shipping and transporting wine and other similar beverages, molded pulp is a less expensive and environmentally friendly alternative compared to expanded polystyrene (EPS) and vacuum formed PET and PVC.

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  Electronics

  
  

Electronic appliances need protection against the damaging effects of vibration and shock for a variety of sensitive electronic devices, such as desktop computers, smartphones, printers, modems, and hard drives. These products require proper maintenance at every stage of their product sales cycle, including manufacturing operations, packaging, warehousing, and handling, transportation to the dealer, and display at the store. Moreover, such appliances also need to be protected from varying climatic conditions, dampness, and dust.

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  Personal Care

  
  

The personal care industry manufactures consumer products used for beauty purposes and personal hygiene. Personal care is a growing market for molded fiber packaging. Personal care includes products such as deodorant, perfumes, razors, shaving cream, lotions, and toothpaste. Such products require product safety and increased shelf life, which are some of the benefits of molded fiber packaging. Many major cosmetic companies are trying to make their customers look and feel good by making their beauty products environmentally friendly. 

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  Healthcare

  
  

Manufacturers offer various molded pulp packaging products for the pharmaceutical industry for meeting the stringent needs of the industry. Blood oxygenators, glucose monitors, and test kits are some of the medical products, for which molded fiber packaging is needed.

Regional Analysis

The global molded fiber packaging market has been segmented, on the basis of region, into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

Asia-Pacific

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  Asia-Pacific comprises countries such as China, Japan, India, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The electronics manufacturing market in the industry is expected to grow rapidly during the forecast period due to the presence of a large number of OEMs in the region. The low cost and the availability of raw materials and labor bodes well for the industry in the region. Additionally, Asia-Pacific is also the fastest-growing region in terms of the food & beverage industry. Over the years, it is being observed that the region is emerging as a global automotive hub. It has become a major consumer and supplier of automobiles. As molded fiber packaging products are used for maintaining the freshness, extending the shelf life, and reducing spoilage and wastage of products. They can be molded in any three-dimensional shape. All these factors cumulatively contribute to the growth of the molded fiber packaging market in Asia-Pacific.

  
  

Middle East & Africa

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  The Middle East & Africa comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, South Africa, and the rest of the Middle East & Africa. The region hosts several molded fiber packaging players, including Primapack SAE and Huhtamäki Oyj. These players primarily focus on strengthening their presence in the region by offering high-quality, molded fiber packaging products. Moreover, growing pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries in the region are some of the key factors that are expected to contribute to the growth of the molded fiber packaging market during the forecast period.

  
  

Competitive Landscape

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  The global molded fiber packaging market comprises many global and regional players. These players are following strategies such as product development and expansion to improve their position in the global market. High competition, rapid changes in technology, and integrated solutions offered by industry participants are the key factors that restrain the market growth. Vendors compete based on cost, product quality, and reliability. It is vital for them to offer cost-effective and superior products to succeed in the competitive market environment.

  
  

Key Players

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  The prominent players in the global molded fiber packaging market are Huhtamäki Oyj (Europe), Brødrene Hartmann A/S (Europe), UFP Technologies, Inc. (US), Henry Molded Products Inc. (US), Robert Cullen Ltd (UK), Pacific Pulp Molding, Inc. (US), EnviroPAK (US), Heracles Packaging Co. S.A. (Europe), Primapack SAE (Egypt), and Keiding, Inc. (US).

  
  

Recent Developments

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  In June 2019, Brødrene Hartmann A/S expanded the production capacity of its existing factory in Missouri, the US to strengthen its position in the market in North America. This is also expected to help cater to the increasing demand for packaging products, which is driven by the growing consumption of eggs, positive changes in consumer behavior, and ongoing transition from polystyrene and plastic packaging to molded fiber packaging.

  
  


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  In May 2019, Huhtamaki announced its plans to open a paper straw manufacturing facility in Northern Ireland. It manufactures paper straws using new, purpose-built machinery for delivering a premium product to improve the environmental friendliness of its products and introduce new, more sustainable packaging innovations.

  
  


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  In May 2019, Huhtamaki announced the launch of its new fiber-based meal trays that are suited for both microwave and regular ovens for Waitrose & Partners to replace black plastic. These trays can be recycled and are also certified for home composting.

  
  

Report Overview

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  The study covers the existing short-term and long-term market effects, helping decision-makers draft short-term and long-term plans for businesses by region. The report covers major regions in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. The report analyzes market drivers, restraints, opportunities, challenges, and Porter's Five Forces.

  
  

Market Segmentation

Global Molded Fiber Packaging Market, by Product

• Trays


• Clamshell Containers


• Boxes


• End Caps

Global Molded Fiber Packaging Market, by Type

• Transfer Molded


• Thick-Wall


• Thermoformed Fiber


• Processed Pulp

Global Molded Fiber Packaging Market, by Source

• Wood Pulp


• Non-Wood Pulp

Global Molded Fiber Packaging Market, by End Use

• Food & Beverage


• Electronics


• Personal Care


• Healthcare

Global Molded Fiber Packaging Market, by Region

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  • Mexico
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Western Europe
    
    
    
    • Germany
    
    
    • France
    
    
    • UK
    
    
    • Italy
    
    
    • Spain
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • Rest of Western Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Middle East & Africa
  
  
  
  • Saudi Arabia
  
  
  • UAE
  
  
  • South Africa
  
  
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa
  
  
  
  


• South America
  
  
  
  • Brazil
  
  
  • Argentina
  
  
  • Rest of South America