Cornstarch Packaging Market Size to Boost USD 1200.29 Mn by 2033

Cornstarch Packaging Market Size | Trends | Share | Growth Rate

The global cornstarch packaging market size is estimated to reach USD 1200.29 million by 2033, up from USD 240.51 million in 2023, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.59% from 2024 to 2033.

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The cornstarch packaging market is set to grow prominently during the forecast period. Cornstarch is a component of a larger, developing trend of the bioplastics made from the agricultural waste or leftovers. Most of the establishments are beginning to develop their own safe and sustainable alternatives for plastics by utilizing a variety of renewable materials such as cornstarch, vegetables, oil and lipids. Polylactic acid (PLA) plastic, which is produced by fermenting the plant sugar and starch, is used to make the cornstarch containers. As PLA plastic does not include any harmful ingredients and produces minimal greenhouse emissions during the production, it is far more sustainable as well as environmentally benign than traditional plastics.

Also, cornstarch containers are a great alternative to the plastic for eco-friendly packaging since they are renewable and biodegradable, unlike petroleum-based plastic. Cornstarch packing is often used for food on-the-go. The increasing environmental awareness and the stringent government regulations and policies aimed at reducing plastic waste are expected to augment the growth of the cornstarch packaging market during the forecast period.

Furthermore, the increasing consumer preference for eco-friendly products coupled with the advancements in cornstarch processing is also likely to support the growth of the market. Additionally, growing focus on circular economy principles as well as the growing percentage of takeaways and food deliveries is also projected to contribute to the growth of the market in the years to come. The global packaging market size is estimated to grow from USD 1.20 trillion in 2022 to reach an estimated USD 1.58 trillion by 2032, growing at a 3.16% CAGR between 2023 and 2032.

Cornstarch Packaging Market Key Trends and Findings

• Consumers are now more aware of the materials utilized by the business and are more conscious of green-washed goods as well as packaging. Using cornstarch packaging may assist a company become more successful and establish an immediate, more sincere connection with the consumers. Making use of biodegradable packaging materials further positions the organization as a pioneer in the sector.
• Single-use plastic ban is on the horizon, and switching to more sustainable choices is rapidly becoming mandatory rather than discretionary. Due to the restriction, there is now a greater market demand for the eco-friendly plastic substitutes like paper, natural fibers and packaging made of biodegradable cornstarch.
• The ongoing packaging trend of reducing the weight that is light weighting signifies minimizing the total amount of material needed to make packaging, is quickly becoming an element of many company's sustainability strategies. This trend is likely to grow further as it minimizes the quantity of fuel and carbon dioxide emissions utilized in shipping the products. Lighter products require less fuel to ship the products because they weigh less.
• Several significant laws and regulations are being implemented worldwide to minimize the waste generated by plastic packaging. In the European Union, for instance, the goal is to not only minimize the amount of packaging waste generated but also to encourage the development of a circular packaging economy by imposing requirements on the recyclability and raw materials of packaging.
• Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.01% during the forecast period owing to the growing environmental concerns and consumers demand for convenient packaging options along with the growing restaurant industry and the rising population.
• North America held market share of 36.94% in 2023. This is due to the strong regulatory support for sustainable practices and a high level of consumer environmental awareness.

Cornstarch Packaging Market Drivers

Increasing Takeaway and Food Delivery Sector

The increasing takeaway and food delivery sector is projected to support the growth of the cornstarch packaging market during the forecast period. During the past few years, the global market for the food delivery has more than tripled. The demand for delivery and takeout services has increased significantly due to the introduction of attractive, simple to use applications and technologically enabled driver networks as well as shifting customer preferences and a move towards convenience. With recent investments, there are still significant developments taking place in the field. For instance, in March 2024, the meal delivery startup Wonder raised $700 million in new funding, almost tripling its original stock investment. The business intends to keep pushing these initiatives using these most recent raises in three different areas: driving unit economics, research and development and expansion.

Also, in June 2024, with the $250 million investment from Mubadala Investment Co. in Abu Dhabi, Turkish food delivery business Getir entered a new era of strategic emphasis and restructuring. This cash infusion arrives as Getir struggles to deal with the fallout from its aggressive growth and consequent withdrawal from the European market. In 2022, the company closed a $768 million Series E investment round, marking a key milestone. This trend of ordering food online and increasing investments has amplified the need for efficient and sustainable cornstarch packaging that can handle the logistics of delivering food while minimizing environmental impact. As cornstarch packaging is non-toxic and has a great resistance to oil and fragrance, it is ideal for food delivery or takeout. Even some packaging can be used in a microwave. Because cornstarch packaging satisfies the requirements for compostable plastics, it may be turned into beneficial fertilizer at commercial composting centers.

Cornstarch Packaging Market Restraints

Infrastructure Challenges and Environmental Concerns

Cornstarch packaging, sometimes known as PLA, is made from corn. Since PLA is made from sustainable, natural carbon rather than carbon derived from fossil fuels, it can provide carbon savings when compared to traditional plastics. However, the cultivation of biomass for use as PLA feedstock has the potential to have adverse effects on the environment including effects on biodiversity, acidification and eutrophication. For the other bioplastics and PLA produced industrially to break down and biodegrade, they need to be gathered and composted at one of the few commercial composting centers that accept them, which operate at high temperatures and under strict control. There aren't many composting facilities like this, and without the right infrastructure for recycling, PLA items end up in landfills and add to the plastic pollution problem by basically following the same waste pathways as ordinary plastics.

The primary issue with PLA is the extremely particular conditions that must be met for it to properly decompose. As PLA contaminates the recycling stream, it must be processed individually and brought to a closed composting environment. However, the PLA plastics must be heated to 140 degrees and treated to particular biodegradable digestive microorganisms before being shipped to the industrial composting centers. Therefore, it is nearly impossible for the products to finish their life cycle as marketed due to the harsh biodegradation conditions and slow rate of the biodegradation as well as the increased pressure on the customers to make certain their PLA waste is being sent to the appropriate facility. Due to these challenges, PLA plastics are assumed to wind into landfills or the ocean most of the time. The disposal of PLA can break down into tiny plastic particles packed with chemicals, which contaminate water and food supplies and spread throughout the ecosystem.

Cornstarch Packaging Market Opportunities

Emergence of Stricter Regulations and Policies

The implementation of stricter government regulations and policies targeting single-use plastics and waste management is expected to create opportunities for the growth of the cornstarch packaging market in the near future. As concerns about the environment and the demand for efficient waste management solutions increase, governments across the globe are implementing stringent measures to tackle the plastic pollution. These laws frequently include prohibitions or limits on the single-use plastics, requirements for packaging that is recyclable or biodegradable and support for switching to the sustainable options. For instance:

• In February 2024, to fight the pollution, Somalia imposed a ban on the plastic bags. With effect from June 30, 2024, the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change officially announced a national ban on the use, trade as well as importation of the plastic bags. Following in-depth discussions with the environment specialists, business community and the general public, this decisive step underscores the critical requirement to tackle the contamination of the plastic in the environment.
• In January 2023, The United Arab Emirates declared that it will outlaw single-use plastic bags countrywide in 2024. The state-run news agency WAM announced that the law will forbid the production, distribution and import of plastic bags of any kind or composition. Not only will the 2024 target be met, but starting on January 1, 2026, plastic drink cups, Styrofoam and boxes cannot be imported into the United Arab Emirates. Everything from food packaging to plastic bottles, cigarette butts, cotton sticks, wet wipes and balloons made of plastic will be prohibited. The UAE wants to become carbon neutral by 2050, and this change is a part of that bigger objective.

Thus, most of the companies are forced to shift towards the sustainable packaging that complies with these regulations. Cornstarch packaging, with its biodegradable and compostable properties, supports perfectly with these regulatory requirements, offering a viable alternative to traditional plastics.

Cornstarch Packaging Key Segment Analysis

Product Type Segment Analysis Preview

The tableware segment captured largest market share of 77.35% in 2023. This is owing to the increasing popularity of home dining and entertaining, influenced by the growing trend of home-based social gatherings and the culinary experiences. Additionally, the expansion of the restaurants, food delivery industry and hotels also creates a substantial market for the high-quality and durable tableware. Furthermore, the expansion of online retail platforms is also likely to support the segment growth of the market as it has made it easier for the consumers to access a wider range of tableware products from different brands. Disposable corn starch tableware, which consists of plates, cups, bowls and utensils, is manufactured from the bioplastics derived from cornstarch. It is frequently used as a sustainable substitute for the conventional plastic tableware.

End-Use Segment Analysis Preview

The food segment held largest market share in 2023. This is owing to the rapid expansion of the food delivery sector fueled by the increasing popularity of the online ordering as well as the delivery apps. Cornstarch is becoming more and more well-liked in the food companies as a sustainable and environmentally beneficial replacement for the conventional plastic packaging. Food packaging made up of cornstarch has many benefits. Since cornstarch is a naturally occurring substance that is not harmful and has good barrier qualities that shield food from the impurities, unwanted moisture and oxygen that might come into touch with food. Additionally, corn starch packing is compact, lightweight and manageable, which lowers the expense of storage and the transportation.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific held is likely to grow at fastest CAGR of 20.01% during the forecast period. This is owing to the fastest-growing e-commerce segment across the region. The Indian food services sector is projected to be worth USD 67.84 billion (Rs 569,487 crores) as of FY24, as per the NRAI IFSR 2024. By FY28, it is anticipated to have climbed to USD 92.49 billion (Rs 776,511 crores), with an overall CAGR of 8.1%, and a 13.2% CAGR for the organized category. India is the second-fastest-growing food services sector globally, after Brazil, and is predicted to surpass Japan to become the third-biggest food services market by 2028.  Additionally, the improved living standards along with the rising disposable incomes are also anticipated to promote the growth of the market in the region in the years to come.

North America is expected to grow at a substantial CAGR of 16.56% in 2023. This is due to the stringent regulations and policies aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable practices across the region. Also, the growing retail and foodservice sectors is further expected to support regional growth of the market in the years to come. Furthermore, the growing consumer preference for environmentally friendly products as well as the ambitious sustainability targets by various companies in the US is setting and focus to reduce their environmental footprint is also expected to support the regional growth of the market in the near future.

Cornstarch Packaging Recent Developments by Key Market Players

• February, 2024: Team Recycler Malaysia revealed the introduction of its most recent offering line: Cornstarch Food Container with Clear Covers. These compostable containers are the result of a creative use of materials, fusing the greatest qualities of compostable cornstarch for the base and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for the cover.
• July, 2023: Frito-Lay and Bryce Corporation, experts in flexible packaging, collaborated to create compostable packaging for five of their best-selling products: Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Ruffles, and Tostitos. The package was accessible from all food sellers during the 2023 Coachella Music Festival, which marked the beginning of this project. In a commercial composting facility, the packaging, composed of plant-based components like sugarcane and cornstarch, can break down in 180 days. It is an important step in the direction of sustainability and a constant effort by the organization to reduce its negative environmental effects.
• July, 2021: Hi-Tech International invented a biodegradable polymer derived from plants. One can substitute single-use and multi-use plastic products with the biopolymer, which is made from cornstarch. It can be used in place of plastic straws, disposable cutlery, containers, cups and polybags as it is fully compostable.

Cornstarch Packaging Key Market Players

Some of the key players in cornstarch packaging market are BioPak, B ECO PACKAGING SDN BHD, Packnwood, Alice Packaging, Team Recycler Malaysia, Good Start Packaging, L&P Packaging Ltd.,  Easy Green Eco Packaging Co., Ltd., Servous, Sanz Pte Ltd. (BIOGreen), and Channel Packaging Pvt Ltd, among others.

Cornstarch Packaging Market Segments

By Product Type

• Pouches
• Bags
• Boxes
• Tableware

By End Use

• Food
• Personal Care and Cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Retail
• Textile

By Sales Channel

• Online
• Offline

By Region

• North America
• • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • South-East Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC Countries
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa