Biodegradable Tableware Market Trends

Global Biodegradable Tableware Market Overview

The Biodegradable Tableware Market size was valued at USD 0.95 billion in 2023. The Biodegradable Tableware industry is projected to grow from USD 1.00 Billion in 2024 to USD 1.51 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The increasing pace of industrialization and rising awareness regarding the ill effects of plastic tableware and the benefits of environmentally friendly tableware are the key market drivers enhancing market growth.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Biodegradable Tableware Market Trends

• Increasing adoption of non-toxic and petroleum-free products to boost the market growth

Expanding market demand is mostly due to growing worries about the harmful impacts of non-biodegradable plastics. Moreover, utilizing biodegradable silverware contributes to a decrease in ocean pollution. For example, in 2019 the US monthly magazine National Geographic claimed that because to the incapacity of single-use plastic to break down, 18 billion pounds of all varieties of plastic were polluting the ocean. In addition, the demand for biodegradable dinnerware is expected to increase in the upcoming years due to strict restrictions implemented by various governments worldwide that forbid the use of non-biodegradable plastics. Because biodegradable tableware is single-use and guarantees a high quality of hygiene, it is crucial for preventing infections and the transmission of illnesses. This is especially true in hospitals and other locations where there is a significant danger of contamination.

Biodegradable tableware is made from residual materials like rice husk, coconut coir, and sugarcane bagasse, and is environmentally friendly. Growing public awareness of environmental issues is driving the global market for biodegradable tableware. The proliferation of recently founded green businesses worldwide is expanding the potential for creating and using biodegradable tableware. Growing public awareness of the negative effects of plastic, especially on birds and aquatic life, is driving the industry's growth. The ease of disposable plates is paired with the benefit of biodegradable tableware, which produces very little to no environmental damage. It has raised the compound annual growth rate of the biodegradable tableware market worldwide in recent years.

Nonetheless, chains of upscale hotels, caterers, and quick service restaurants (QSRs) are aware of the advantages of utilizing eco-friendly disposable dinnerware. In an attempt to expand the market penetration of their products, disposable tableware producers have partnered with several QSR and hotel & restaurant chains to use compostable or biodegradable dinnerware. Furthermore, several companies, such as Edibles by Jack and Edible Pro, manufacture silverware and spoons, forks, and chopsticks that are intended for single use only.

Biodegradable Tableware Market Segment Insights

Biodegradable Tableware Product Type Insights

The biodegradable tableware market segmentation, based on product type, includes plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, and others. The plates segment held the majority share in 2022 of the biodegradable tableware market revenue. This is primarily due to the availability of different types of designs. Furthermore, disposable paper plates are safe and convenient compared to reusable plates that must be washed and dried after each use. However, cutlery is the fastest-growing category over the forecast period as they are environmentally gentle and biodegradable.

Biodegradable Tableware Material Type Insights

The biodegradable tableware market segmentation, based on material type, includes paper, bioplastic, wood, and others. The bioplastic segment dominated the market in 2022 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2023-2030. Plastic biodegradable tableware is projected to grow significantly over the coming years due to the high adoption of biodegradable plastic tableware by online food retail chains and stringent government initiatives to promote the use of biodegradable tableware to avoid the risk of environmental pollution positively impact the market growth. However, wood is the fastest-growing category over the forecast period due to rising awareness regarding wood tableware and the benefits of environmentally friendly tableware.

Biodegradable Tableware Distribution Channel Insights

The biodegradable tableware market data has been bifurcated by distribution channels into store-based and non-store-based. The residential segment dominated the market in 2022 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period, 2022-2030.Store-based held the largest segment share in 2022, as offline stores and roadside vendors deal with different biodegradable tableware cheaply. Users find it easy to purchase instantly and when required. However, non-store-based is the fastest-growing category due to increasing internet penetration, facilitating sales demand for such products. The varied collections that online stores sell surge the demand for such products.

Figure 1: Biodegradable Tableware Market, by Distribution Channel, 2022 & 2030(USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Biodegradable Tableware Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. The North America biodegradable tableware market accounted for USD 0.41billion in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR growth during the study period. This is attributed to rising concerns about the ill effects of plastic tableware, rising emphasis on non-toxic and petroleum-free products, stringent rules & regulations on using single-use plastic products, rapid acceptance of takeaways and online food services and increasing preference for environment-friendly tableware in this region. Further, the US biodegradable tableware market held the largest market share, and the Canada biodegradable tableware market was the fastest-growing market in the North America region.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are: The U.S, Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: BIODEGRADABLE TABLEWARE MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe biodegradable tableware market accounts for the second-largest market share owing to consumers' awareness and inclination towards buying products that offer environmental benefits. Demand from the food service industry significantly influences the biodegradable disposable tableware market. Further, the Germany biodegradable tableware market held the largest market share, and the UK biodegradable tableware market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific biodegradable tableware market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. This is due to the rising demand for packaged foods, and online food delivery is anticipated to increase demand for biodegradable disposable tableware in the Asia-Pacific. Moreover, China biodegradable tableware market held the largest market share, and the India biodegradable tableware market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Biodegradable Tableware Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the biodegradable tableware market grow even more. Market participants are also taking various strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the biodegradable tableware industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

Manufacturing locally to reduce operating costs is one of the primary business strategies manufacturers adopt in the biodegradable tableware industry to benefit clients and expand the market sector. The biodegradable tableware market major player such as Huhtamäki Oyj (Finland), Dart Container Corporation (US), Georgia-Pacific LLC (US), and others are working on expanding the market demand by investing in research and development activities.

Zomato is an Indian multinational restaurant aggregator and food delivery company founded by Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah in 2008. Zomato provides information, menus, user reviews of restaurants, and food delivery options from partner restaurants in more than 1,000 Indian cities as of 2022. In June 2022, Zomato announced its acquisition of Blinkit for US$568 million in an all-stock deal. The acquisition was done on August 10, 2022.

Also, Georgia-Pacific LLC is an American pulp and paper company based in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of tissue, pulp, paper, toilet and paper towel dispensers, packaging, building products and related chemicals. In August 2022, Georgia Pacific, a leading maker of tissue, pulp, packaging, and building products, expanded its operations and business in Clarendon County to cater to the rising demand of customers and increase its manufacturing capacity.

Key Companies in the Biodegradable Tableware Market include

• Pactiv LLC (US)


• Huhtamäki Oyj (Finland)


• Dart Container Corporation (US)


• Georgia-Pacific LLC (US)


• Lollicup USA Inc. (US)


• Solia, Inc. (US)


• Natural Tableware (Netherlands)


• Biotrem (Poland)


• Reynolds Consumer Products LLC (US)


• Genpak, LLC (US)


• Vegware (UK)


• Papstar GmbH (Germany)


• Bionatic GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)


• Better Earth LLC (US)


• Eco Guardian (Canada), among others

Biodegradable Tableware Industry Developments

July 2021:  Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), an Indian government agency, launched biodegradable packaging products from natural and plant-based food-grade materials to eliminate single-use plastic.

In 2023, The Kerala Biodegradable Paper Products makers Association (KBPPMA), a state-wide umbrella association of biodegradable paper makers, was established. Nebu Thomas, the proprietor of Anna Polymers in Alappuzha, came up with the idea for biodegradable paper goods. Nebu, who had seen similar biodegradable paper products in other wealthy countries, researched the concept for several years.

April 24, 2024:Georgia's Albany, GeorgiaAlbany Lumber in Pacific has produced its one billionth boardfoot. Four years after the plant debuted in 2020, on April 18, the record-setting board came off the production line. The mill uses an internal database to track production, providing real-time volume information to workers and helping them identify significant milestones. In 2018, work on the 320,000-square-foot, $150 million, state-of-the-art facility got underway. At the moment, Albany Lumber, one of the two biggest mills in Georgia, has about 150 full-time workers. The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce also named the mill "Star Business of the Week" recently.

Biodegradable Tableware Market Segmentation

Biodegradable Tableware Product Type Outlook

• Plates


• Bowls


• Cups


• Cutlery


• Others

Biodegradable Tableware Material Type Outlook

• Paper


• Bioplastic


• Wood


• Others

Biodegradable Tableware Distribution Channel Outlook

• Store-Based


• Non-Store-Based

Biodegradable Tableware Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  

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

• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  

• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America