Growing customer concerns about the environmental impact of packaging are driving demand for ecologically responsible and sustainable packaging choices for food products. Producers are also emphasizing enlightening their production procedures, comprises packaging, to bring them into line with their sustainability focuses. As a result, resources such as fiber, paper, and pulp are progressively preferred because of their sustainability benefits. At the same time, the trend in the direction of paper-based packaging for food items is gaining momentum worldwide, according to GlobalData, which is a leading intelligence and productivity platform.
Naveed Khan, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, expresses: “Compostable and recyclable packaging choices that use paper and molded fiber are rising in demand, and producers are capitalizing on this trend by presenting innovative packaging formats utilizing these materials.”
For example, in Australia, Mars Australia launched a paper-based Squeeze-On Tomato Sauce pack under its MasterFoods brand in November 2024. The pack is recyclable and is designed to contain 58% less plastic than the old-style MasterFoods squeeze-on pack.
Similarly, in Europe, Mondelēz International cooperated with sustainable solutions benefactor Saica Group to introduce new paper-based packaging for its multipacks of confectionery, biscuits, and chocolates in June 2024. This inventiveness supports the company’s sustainability focus of developing a 100% recyclable flexible packaging portfolio.
Khan enhances: “Consumers are also progressively seeking recyclable packaging choices in food products to reduce the ecological impact of their purchases. This is authenticated by a GlobalData customer survey, which found that 73% of customers view “recyclable packaging” as important or nice to have when making a product acquisition.”
Furthermore, strict guidelines that vary across countries and impose hefty fines for non-compliance are forcing producers to accept sustainable packaging options. For example, in 2025, the Canadian government revised its Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, 2022, to extend the ban on six groups of single-use plastics, comprising straws, bags, stir sticks, cutlery, ring transporters, and certain takeout containers. In January 2026, the Federal Court of Appeal upheld the government’s choice to ban these six groups, strengthening its objective of promoting a circular economy.
Similarly, Asian countries such as China and India have applied bans on single-use plastics and are inspiring the adoption of sustainable substitutes. China, the world’s largest producer of plastics, is increasingly banning certain single-use plastics in phases. This trend has pushed producers to introduce more sustainable packaging arrangements, such as pulp-based or paper-based choices, replacing plastic packaging and positioning with government regulations.
12 March 2026
12 March 2026
12 March 2026
12 March 2026
