Edible Films And Coatings Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Ingredient Type (Proteins, Polysaccharides, Lipids, Composites), By Applications (Dairy Products, Bakery and Confectionery, Fruits and Vegetables, Meat, Poultry, and Seafood, Other Applications) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global edible films and coatings market size was valued at USD 2.95 billion in 2023. It is expected to reach USD 5.65 billion in 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period (2024-32). Consumers are increasingly seeking natural, sustainable, and environmentally friendly products. Edible films and coatings made from biodegradable materials like proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides meet these criteria, driving their demand.

Food preservation and distribution are greatly aided by edible films and coatings, which are thin layers of edible ingredients added to food products. One of their roles is keeping the product safe from chemicals and bacteria. The quality, transportation, safety, and presentation of fresh and processed foods, are all significantly impacted by edible films and coatings. Food spoilage, microbial contamination, and moisture loss are all prevented by edible films and coatings, which also help to maintain food quality. In general, edible film shields food from moisture and extreme temperatures, whereas edible coating serves a decorative function for cakes and pastries.

Market Dynamics

Global edible films and coatings market drivers

Rising demand for healthy products with longer shelf lives

Edible films and coatings are used more often because they improve barrier and mechanical properties, are convenient, and extend food and beverage shelf life. These films and coatings ensure food safety and extend shelf life, satisfying consumers' desire for fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, and other foods. Edible coatings and films are a practical and cost-effective way to preserve food's freshness, nutritional value, and functional properties as consumers demand minimally processed food. Consumer awareness of the value of a healthy diet is driving new research trends to reduce the oil content of fried food and extend shelf life. Consumer demand for natural, waste-free products and the growing use of edible coatings for preservation are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Growing demand for edible packaging as a plastic packaging substitute

Plastic consumption increased from 5 million metric tons in the 1950s to 230 million tons in 2022. In addition, traditional food packaging materials cause pollution and require nonrenewable resources during production. Plastic packaging accounts for more than 60% of the 150 million metric tons of plastics found in the world's oceans. Sustainability, the environment, ethics, food safety, food quality, and product costs are increasingly important when buying food products. Laws governing food packaging also regulate a significant portion of these concerns. These factors have increased the demand for edible films and coatings as an alternative to plastic.

Global edible films and coatings market restraints

Regulatory concerns

The edible portion of food and beverage products, including edible films and coatings, must follow all applicable food product regulations in any nation. Different regulatory acceptance across countries characterizes the market. Specific guidelines for the use of novel materials and items intended to maintain or enhance the condition of the food actively are defined in EU Regulations 1935/2004 and 450/2009/EC. Regulation 1935/2004 opened the possibility of using active packaging in Europe for the first time by allowing the use of materials with agents that could migrate into foods. This regulation establishes the framework for the European Food Safety Agency's evaluation process. It contains general provisions on active and intelligent packaging safety for all materials and items. As a result, different regulations exist in other countries due to various food safety regulatory bodies worldwide, which may act as a market restraint.

Global edible films and coatings market opportunities

Premium edible packets with convenient portions

MonoSol and Dicoisa developed technology in 2016 to seal food and beverage ingredients in pouches that dissolve and release their contents when exposed to water. In addition, food colors, spices, flavors, sweeteners, enzymes, and oils can all be stored with the company's Vivos film. Manufacturers can obtain precise measurements for each batch for ingredients like color additives by using potion control pouches.

Additionally, MonoSol's new technology can be utilized in a wide variety of products, including oats, cereals, instant teas/coffees, soups, gravies, sauces, hot chocolate, pre-portioned spice packs, dry ingredients, and bodybuilding proteins and supplements, to satisfy the growing demand for pre-portioned packs. The macro trends in the food and beverage industry, such as convenient delivery, portion control, replacing or enhancing primary packaging, reducing waste, and improving operational efficiencies for kitchen operations, are anticipated to create tremendous opportunities for market growth over the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global edible films and coatings market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-pacific dominates the global market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global edible films and coatings market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.12% during the forecast period. One of the most widely used edible coatings in food products in China is xanthan gum, which is driving up demand for polysaccharide-based films and coatings there. The component is employed because of its beneficial characteristics, which include creating a highly viscous solution in cold or hot water, even at low concentrations. It is resistant to enzymatic degradation and stable over a broad pH and temperature range. However, studies are being done to find alternative edible coating sources that might be more effective at preserving the product's freshness and shelf life.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.91% during the forecast period. Innovative edible food packaging formulations have been created by businesses like Apeel Sciences and are used to cover fresh produce. The company's creation also received approval from the European Food Authority, and Edeka Stores is marketing it in the German retail market. Market acceptance of the rapidly developing technology to swap out plastic packaging for edible packaging that is more environmentally friendly and ecological is anticipated to be quick. Additionally, as consumer demand for high-quality products grows, traders and vendors have begun researching the ingredients used in food coatings to offer cleaner products. As a result, food companies are adding high-quality coating that complies with regulatory requirements in response to retailers' growing preference for safer and labeled products, further demonstrating the promising market for edible coatings in the nation.

North America is anticipated to grow significantly during the forecast period. In America, 20% of the food produced, enough to feed two billion people, is wasted annually, amounting to about 290 pounds of food products. By recycling 95% of its food waste, South Korea is getting ahead of these issues and providing a model for the rest of the world to follow. The use of alternative proteins and the implementation of food-sensing technologies for food safety and traceability are examples of how the World Economic Forum has examined how this technology can help food systems avoid waste. Similarly, the US-based start-up Cambridge Crops created a natural and palatable coating made of protein that slows the oxidation and water loss of perishable food items like fruits, vegetables, and meat by reducing contact with gases and water vapor. Furthermore, the retail food industry is increasingly incorporating fresh and minimally processed food items, such as freshly cut produce, meat, fish, and ready-to-eat meals with fresh ingredients, creating enormous opportunities for the nation's edible films and coatings industry.

Brazil is the third-largest fruit producer in the world, behind China and India. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, Brazil produced 40.05 million metric tons of fruits worldwide in 2018. Brazil also exports its fruit and agricultural products to most European and Middle Eastern nations. In order to lessen the effects and damage brought on by insects, microorganisms, pre- and post-harvesting conditions during transport and preservation, as well as to maintain the nutritional value of fruits like oranges, bananas, and watermelons, edible films and coatings are increasingly being applied to them.

The government's support of food processors increased per capita income, and significant demographic and socioeconomic changes have contributed to the sector's rapid growth in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the number of Saudi food processing businesses increased from 691 in 2005 to 938 in 2016, thanks to these factors. Investment in this sector increased by around 11% between 2007 and 2016, reaching USD 23 billion that year (According to USDA). The main drivers of the Saudi Arabian edible films and coatings market are the subsequent expansion of the packaged food sector and consumer preference for bakeries, patisseries, and other baked goods.

Segmental Analysis

The global edible films and coatings market is segmented by ingredient type and application.

Based on ingredient type, the global market is bifurcated into proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and composites.

The proteins segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.69% during the forecast period. Collagen, gelatin, corn zein, wheat gluten, soy protein, casein, and mung bean protein films are the most famous varieties of protein-based edible films. Due to their benefits, such as their use as edible packaging materials rather than synthetic films, protein-based edible films have attracted much attention in recent years. Additionally, food products that are currently not individually packaged due to practical considerations, such as beans, nuts, and cashew nuts, can be individually packaged using protein-based edible films. Over the forecast period, the market for protein-based edible films and coatings will benefit from improved innovation and the addition of numerous protein-based materials with a wide range of applications.

The market's polysaccharides segment includes chitosan, starch, alginate, cellulose, pullulan, carrageenan, gellan gum, and others. Edible films and coatings made of polysaccharides are frequently used to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. They are effective carriers of food additives and bioactive compounds, resulting in improved flavor profiles. Polysaccharide coatings are also employed in the dairy sector, where they are used as edible films to coat cheese. The best cheese-coating qualities and mold resistance were found to be provided by the galactomannan from the Gleditsia triacanthos plant. However, a thriving dairy industry would likely create prospects for films made of polysaccharides, driving the market.

Based on application, the global market is bifurcated into dairy products, bakery and confectionery, fruits and vegetables, and meat, poultry, and seafood.

The meat, poultry, and seafood segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.72% during the forecast period. Due to their high nutritional value, animal-origin foods are widely available and consumed worldwide, but they can also foster the growth of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms. Most consumers demand high-quality food without chemical additives that have a long shelf life. Edible films and coatings with natural antimicrobials added are a promising preservation technique for raw and processed meats because they provide a barrier against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, stop moisture loss, prevent changes in textures, flavors, and colors, and offer a sound barrier against moisture loss. This has a significant economic impact because it increases the saleable weight of the products.

Edible films and coatings preserve fruits' nutritional value, improve their appearance, and reduce food waste. Antimicrobial agents have been successfully added to edible composite films and coatings based on polysaccharides or proteins, such as starch, cellulose derivatives, chitosan, alginate, fruit puree, whey protein isolated, soy protein, egg albumen, wheat gluten, or sodium caseinate. Due to increased profitability and rising fruit and vegetable consumption, many start-up businesses manufacture edible films and coatings to protect harvests from logistical disturbances and preserve crops for exports and imports.

Recent Developments

• February 2024 - As edible packaging startup DisSolves prepares to conduct pilots with top CPG brands, Generation Food Rural Partners I, LP (GFRP), a fund established by early-stage investor Big Idea Ventures, purchased the company. DisSolves is a Pittsburgh-based company founded in 2018 by chemical engineer Jared Raszewski. The company has created patented edible films that dissolve quickly and are residue-free in milk, juice, and hot or cold water.
• January 2024 – A new paper, “Sustainable Bio-Based Edible Films and Coatings for Fruit and Vegetable Applications," was published on ResearchGate. The paper discusses advancements in using sustainable, bio-based edible films and coatings for preserving fruits and vegetables, focusing on materials, methods, and effectiveness in enhancing shelf life and reducing waste.