The Global Edible Films and Coatings Market accounted for US$ 2,686 Mn in 2021 and is estimated to reach US$ 5,186 Mn by 2030, with a significant CAGR of 7.8% from 2022 to 2030.

Edible films and coatings are eco-friendly materials that have the potential to preserve the flavor and shelf life of fresh, minimally processed fruits. They can develop protective layers around fruits, normalize their respiration rates, and protect them from water loss, browning, tissue softening, and microbial contamination by forming protective layers around them. Edible films and coatings applied on fruits and vegetables are an environmentally friendlymethodto a creative solution to this difficulty. Edible films and coatings can be used to create environmentally friendly and biodegradable packaging. Natural biopolymers and proper preservation technologies are widely used in this type of coating strategy. These materials are typically composed of a cohesive structured biopolymer, additives, and/or a solvent. These coatings can also be utilized as transporters for active components like as flavors, colorants, nutrients, and antibacterial and antioxidant chemicals, which can extend shelf life, improve organoleptic properties, and increase nutritional value. Due to health and environmental concerns, the use of antimicrobial sources and natural antioxidant, such as natural extracts, is gaining traction in the packaging research sector and is being widely used as active ingredients in edible film and coating formulations.

Market Growth Drivers:

• Consumers shift towards eco-friendly packaging solutions
• Increasing awareness regarding environmental problems
• Increased sales of fruits and vegetables

Market Restraints:

• Presence of strict regulatory guidelines
• High cost of food packaging

Market Opportunities:

• Rising government initiatives to reduce carbon footprint
• Growing demand for functional foods

Report Coverage

Market Dynamics

The growing consumer shift towards eco-friendly packaging solutions is driving the growth of the global market. According to a recent survey, two-thirds of consumers (67%) think it's vital that the products they buy come in recyclable packaging, and the same number think they're environmentally conscious – the same percentage as before the pandemic. Despite the pandemic's demands, sustainable packaging has emerged as a primary priority as customers become more concerned about their own and the food system's environmental footprints. As a result, governments across the globe have responded to public outcry about packaging waste, particularly single-use packaging waste, by enacting rules to reduce environmental waste and improve waste management.

For instance, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 1.6 million metric tonnes of packaging trash are deposited into landfills in the United States each year. Packaging waste accounts for 30% of municipal waste by weight, with plastic material accounting for 13% of that. Plastic degrades land quality by reducing soil moisture and oxygen transport rates. Scientists and the food industry have been collaborating to discover a way to reduce food packaging waste. These factors are anticipated to propel the demand of the industry in the coming years.

On the other hand, the high cost of food packaging compared to recycling solutions is expected to negatively impact the global edible films and coatings market share. Additionally, the presence of strict regulatory guidelines for the production of these products is also hampering market growth. Furthermore, increasing government initiatives to reduce carbon footprint and growth in awareness about health and wellness are some of the trends in the edible films and coatings market.

Edible Films and Coatings Market Segmentation

The global edible films and coatings market is categorized based oningredient type, application, and geography.

Market by Ingredient Type

·         Polysaccharides

·         Protein

·         Lipids

·         Composites

According to our analysis, the polysaccharides category accounted for the bulk of the edible films and coatings market share in 2021 and is projected to maintain this trend between 2022 and 2030. Polysaccharides have good mechanical and structural capabilities, making them ideal for the production of EC and EF. Some of the key polysaccharides used to make edible coatings include starch and modified starch, chitin and chitosan, pectin, kefiran, and others. Proteins, on the other hand, are expected to expand at the fastest rate during the forecasted years. Proteins are polymers of amino acids that can be denatured by acid, heat, or solvent to create the longer structures required for filmmaking. Besides, at low relative humidity, protein films have good gas and lipid barrier characteristics.

Market by Application

·         Dairy Products

·         Bakery and Confectionary

·         Nutritional Products

·         Fruits & Vegetables

·         Meat, Poultry & Seafood

Among them, the fruits & vegetablegenerated the largest edible films and coatings market revenue in 2021 and is poised to grow with the fastest CAGR throughout the forecasted timeframe 2022 – 2030. During the pandemic, there was significant demand for healthy and novel snack products due to the storage, use, and provision of nutrition and energy on consumption, as well as an increase in the demand for fruits and vegetables, which had a beneficial impact on the edible films and coatings industry.The meat, poultry & seafood segment achieved a noteworthy CAGR during the projected timeframe due to increased non-vegetarian demand, and buyers choose to buy products with edible films over products wrapped in synthetic plastic.

Edible Films and Coatings Market Regional Overview