Food contact paper is used as primary packaging materials for various food products such as baked food, confectionery, meat, snacks, and grain mill products. Food contact paper is sustainable alternatives to many other food packaging materials such as plastic and glass. Growing initiatives by companies to reduce their carbon footprint has been a major factor influencing the adoption of food contact paper across the world. The increase in demand for sustainable and eco-friendly food packaging has increased the demand for food paper packaging.
THE EXPANDING DEMAND FOR RECYCLABLE AND BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING IS GOING TO INFLUENCE FOOD CONTACT PAPER MARKET GLOBALLY
The biodegradable and recyclable packaging has been an attractive alternative to single-use packaging options for both consumers and manufacturers. Packaging is not only expected to protect the product but is also required to be environmentally friendly. As per a report published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, food waste and packaging account for the majority of the landfilled materials in the US. Moreover, food service packaging generates a significant amount of waste in landfills in the US. Since paper packaging is biodegradable, it is preferred over recyclable packaging. Recycling of food packaging waste presents challenges majorly related to safety issues. The use of recycled food packaging increases the chances of contamination and the levels and numbers of chemicals that can migrate to food from packaging, thereby potentially affecting the environment and human health. The increasing initiatives taken by governments across the world on the use of single-use plastic bags are increasing the demand for food contact paper. The implementation of stringent regulations and a ban over the consumption of single-use plastic is creating a massive demand for packaging solutions, which are recyclable yet sustainable, leading to an increased demand for food contact paper.