Food Safety & Direct Food Contact Applications
Growing trend toward food-grade molded fiber packaging with certified safe coatings and improved hygiene. Ideal for ready meals, takeaway containers, and fresh produce packaging.
Regional Manufacturing & Local Supply Chains
To minimize carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals, companies are localizing production of molded fiber packaging. Minimizes dependency on international supply chains and fits into the "made local" movement.
Scalability & Automation
Increasing investments activity in automation technologies in molded fiber production for higher output, consistency, and lower costs. Automation is helping scale up molded fiber production to meet the surge in demand.
Maintaining Transparency & Brand Storytelling
Consumers are more attracted to packaging that tells a sustainability story molded fiber’s natural look and eco-benefits play well into this narrative. Some brands highlight molded fiber packaging as part of their eco-branding directly on the packaging.
Advancement in Technology & Rising Demand in Food Services & Takeaway to Offer Potential
New technologies are improving barrier properties (moisture, oil resistance, grease,) and making molded fiber suitable for wet, hot, and frozen food packaging. Advanced printing and finishing techniques allow for premium, branded packaging. As takeaway and food delivery grow globally, the demand for eco-friendly food trays, clamshells, and containers is soaring. Different cities and countries have banned plastic containers, creating a direct opportunity for molded fiber replacements.
For instance, in August 2024, Huhtamaki, a packaging business based in Finland, is supplying molded fiber lids to Starbucks in order to assist them introduce new compostable cups for cold beverages in certain places. Based on local regulations, the compostable cups and lids will first be introduced in 24 locations, with the addition of additional markets anticipated in the future, a Starbucks representative stated in an email. Huhtamaki is a collaborator in this project, according to Starbucks. With over a dozen facilities across the United States, Huhtamaki declined to comment on individual customer partnerships.
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