Trays Packaging Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material (Plastic, Metal, Wood, Paper & Paperboard, and Others), By End-use Industry (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Electrical & Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

The global trays packaging market size was valued at USD 90.98 million in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 95.48 million in 2025 to USD 140.37 million by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.66% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the trays packaging market with a market share of 44.08% in 2024.

Tray packaging refers to a method of product packing that utilizes a shallow, broad container, typically open at the top, constructed from materials such as paperboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, or other materials. The market is witnessing substantial growth across diverse industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, electronics, and consumer goods. With the exponential rise of e-commerce, the need for durable, protective, and stackable trays have increased for shipping ready meals, cosmetics, and fragile goods, further contributing to the global market growth.

Amcor and Smurfit Kappa are the leading manufacturers, accounting for the largest global market share.

• The International Trade Administration states that the global B2C e-commerce revenue is expected to reach USD 5.5 trillion by 2027, with a consistent compound annual growth rate of 14.4%. The primary categories for B2C e-commerce, in order, are consumer electronics, fashion, furniture, toys/hobbies, bio-health pharmaceuticals, media & entertainment, beverages, and food.

MARKET DYNAMICS

MARKET DRIVERS

Increasing Popularity of Ready-to-Eat Frozen & Microwavable Meals Drives Market Growth

The increasing demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) frozen and microwavable meals will expand the dual-ovenable trays and containers market within the projected period. This is due to the hectic lifestyles and rising urbanization. Shoppers are looking for easy meal choices that need little preparation time. Global food corporations are entering this sector and taking advantage of the increasing need for ready-to-eat meals.

• Cafe Spice, a manufacturer located in New Windsor, N.Y., known for ready-to-eat Indian meals for food service and branded retail markets, revealed that it is shifting its retail packaging to a more sustainable and eco-friendly choice, according to a statement from the company. The company announced that the packaging for its retail product will transition to transparent polypropylene plastic trays. This change has started to be introduced to the market and will proceed over the coming weeks.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Rising Environmental Concerns Regarding Plastic Waste Restrain the Market Expansion

Consumers are becoming more aware of environmental issues and are participating in sustainable practices. They, in response, are asking for eco-friendly products with minimal or no harmful environmental effects. Bans on polystyrene and other single-use plastics across Europe and parts of Asia and North America push companies to transition quickly, which can be costly. Plastic packaging poses considerable ecological challenges and hampers the supply chain mainly because of its non-biodegradable nature, dependence on fossil fuels, and the emission of microplastics and hazardous chemicals into the ecosystem. These issues encompass pollution of land and oceans, air contamination from burning plastics, threats to wildlife, and possible health effects. Henceforth, the increasing environmental concerns regarding plastic waste hamper the market growth.

• The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) reports that over 8.5 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean annually. Given the adverse effects of plastic on the environment, producers are shifting to the use of eco-friendly substitutes for plastic trays

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Augmenting Demand for Sustainable Packaging Products Will Offer Potential Growth Opportunities

The growing focus on sustainability and environmental awareness is boosting the need for eco-conscious packaging options, leading to opportunities for companies specializing in sustainable packaging materials and technologies. Packaging alternatives featuring enhanced recyclability and crafted from sustainable materials are gaining popularity. In the food and takeout sectors, packaging that is entirely recyclable and made from recycled materials is favored due to its eco-friendliness and its role in reducing food waste. Meanwhile, new biodegradable options are being created to reduce and ultimately substitute plastic in items that were initially made from plastic, which, in turn, offers potential growth opportunities.

• The amount of packaging waste produced by the European Union rose from 66 million tonnes in 2009 to 84 million tonnes in 2021, indicating a notable increase in waste. The EU has implemented new regulations to decrease packaging waste, foster a circular economy, and promote sustainable practices to tackle this trend.

TRAYS PACKAGING MARKET TRENDS

Smart Technology Integration in Trays Booms as a Key Market Trend

The market for tray packaging is experiencing a notable transition towards sustainable practices, personalization, and the integration of smart technologies. Consumers increasingly seek eco-friendly choices, while brands utilize customization to create trays that cater to specific needs and tastes. Solutions in smart packaging, such as QR codes and NFC chips, are becoming popular for improving customer engagement and monitoring product freshness. Technologies in smart packaging, including QR codes and NFC chips, facilitate tracking product freshness and authenticity. Smart packaging makes interactive features, such as loyalty programs or access to product details, possible, making it a significant trend for trays packaging market growth.

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Segmentation Analysis

By Material

Significant Benefits Offered Boosts the Segmental Growth of Plastic

Based on material, the market is divided into plastic, metal, wood, paper & paperboard, and others.

The plastic segment accounted for the larger share of the market in 2024. The most commonly utilized materials for tray packaging consist of plastic, especially rPET. Plastic is preferred due to its ability to withstand heat and its effectiveness in food preservation methods such as pasteurization and sterilization. The plastic material segment remains dominant due to cost effectiveness, durability, and flexibility. Recyclable plastic types such as rPET are increasingly in use due to environmental regulations. The material is favored for its resistance to degradation when in contact with food and is utilized in multiple food packaging uses.

Paper & paperboard material is the second dominating material segment of the market. Paper trays provide an eco-friendly and economical packaging option with several advantages, such as environmentally conscious, recyclable, and versatile. They serve as a viable option for plastic trays, particularly for food packaging, encouraging improved waste management and minimizing landfill waste.

By End-use Industry

Rising Demand for Food Delivery Drives the Food & Beverages Segment’s Growth

Based on the end-use industry, the market is segmented into food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, electrical & electronics, consumer goods, and others.

Food & beverages stood as the dominating segment in the market in 2024. The increasing consumer preference for ready-to-eat and convenience foods, alongside the growth of food delivery and takeaway services, combined with the expansion of quick-service restaurants, is projected to boost the development of the dual-ovenable trays and containers market throughout the forecast period. Additionally, advancements in packaging technologies, such as enhanced heat resistance and sustainable materials, along with stringent environmental regulations, are expected to boost the segment’s growth.

On the other hand, the pharmaceuticals segment is expected to witness steady growth during the forecast period. Trays provide various advantages in the pharmaceutical sector, mainly concerning the effective handling, safeguarding, and sterilization of pharmaceutical products and equipment.

Trays Packaging Market Regional Outlook

By geography, the market is categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

Asia Pacific

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The Asia Pacific dominates the global trays packaging market share. The region has experienced significant growth due to the fast-growing packaging industry, the expansion of the food retail and food service sectors, and increasing consumer awareness regarding sustainable packaging solutions throughout the region. The food service industry in the region is growing due to an increase in tourism, enhanced consumer lifestyles, and higher disposable incomes. Producers of paper and paperboard trays are primarily concentrating on broadening their activities due to a substantial customer base, affordable infrastructure and labor resources, plentiful resource availability, and favorable trade policies.

• According to the Food Export Organization, in 2022, China's food sector experienced consistent growth, as leading companies announced revenues of USD 1.3 trillion, marking a 5.6% annual rise. China is still importing larger quantities of food ingredients.

North America

North America is the second-largest market. This growth is a result of the significant demand for convenience foods, existence of a strong food service sector, and widespread use of online food delivery services. Growing emphasis on food safety and convenience packaging, especially in frozen and ready-to-eat segments, boosts market growth. The strict regulatory requirements for food and pharmaceutical packaging in the U.S. are promoting the use of high-quality rigid trays that guarantee safety and adherence to these standards. Furthermore, the strong presence of organized retail and fast-food chains also enhances the market growth.

• According to Unifor Organization, in terms of production value, the food and beverage sector ranks as the second largest manufacturing industry in Canada, with total sales approaching USD 118 billion in 2019. In 2021, the sector added USD 34.5 billion to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), representing almost 2% of the overall GDP. The food and beverage sector is the biggest employer in Canada’s manufacturing industry, offering jobs to over 300,000 Canadians.

Europe

Europe is a significant market for tray packaging. The increasing need for sustainable and flexible packaging solutions across various industries, especially in the food and beverage industry, is a key element propelling market growth. Government and various regulatory bodies are emphasizing the importance of using recyclable materials due to increasing environmental issues. Additionally, they have established strict rules regarding the use of sustainable products, which is a key factor driving the market growth. The stringent EU packaging regulations and high sustainability awareness promote the use of biodegradable and recycled trays. The pharmaceutical sector also contributes to the market growth.

• For instance, the research-oriented pharmaceutical sector can significantly contribute to bringing Europe back to growth and guaranteeing future competitiveness in a progressing global economy. In 2023, it invested approximately USD 54,110 million toward R&D in Europe.

Latin America

The market in the Latin American region will foresee moderate growth in the near future. The market is driven by the need for durable, long-lasting packaging solutions for food and industrial products, as well as the growth of online food delivery and e-commerce.

Middle East & Africa

The market in the Middle East and African region is expected to witness considerable growth in the near future. The emerging countries are showing promising growth due to improving cold chain logistics and rising packaged food demand. The increasing demand for ready-to-eat meals will also enhance the market growth.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Key Industry Players

Continuous Development and Introduction of New Products by Key Companies Resulted in their Notables Positions in the Market

The global trays packaging market is concentrated with companies such as Amcor, Smurfit Kappa, Huhtamaki, Winpak Ltd., DS Smith, and Berry Global, accounting for a significant share.

Amcor is a global leader in developing and producing packaging solutions, focusing on responsible and sustainable practices. They offer a wide range of flexible and rigid packaging, specialty cartons, closures, and services for various industries, including food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, and personal care. Their mission is to be the premier global packaging company, generating value for customers, employees, investors, and the environment.

Smurfit Kappa, now part of Smurfit Westrock, is a global leader in paper-based packaging solutions, with a strong presence in Europe and the Americas. The company offers a wide range of products, including corrugated packaging, containerboard, and recycling solutions, and has a significant focus on sustainability and innovation. The company manufactures corrugated packaging, containerboard, solid board, and folding cartons, with a focus on innovative and sustainable solutions.

Additionally, Huhtamaki and Winpak Ltd. are among the other prominent players in the market. Focus on significant investments in the research & development of innovative products has supported the companies’ share in the market.

• In May 2019, Waitrose & Partners introduced its Italian ready-meal collection in a new fiber-based tray designed for use in both microwave and conventional ovens. The new trays, named Fresh, are produced by the worldwide food packaging expert Huhtamaki, filled at Saladworks, and the fiber serving as the base material is sourced from the Swedish forestry company Södra. The trays are recyclable and are certified for use in home composting.

LIST OF KEY TRAYS PACKAGING COMPANIES PROFILED

• Amcor (Switzerland)
• Smurfit Kappa (Ireland)
• Huhtamaki (Finland)
• Winpak Ltd. (Canada)
• DS Smith (U.K.)
• Berry Global (U.S.)
• Sonoco Products Company (U.S.)
• ProAmpac (U.S.)
• Sealed Air (U.S.)
• Envaplaster (Spain)
• Klöckner Pentaplast (Luxembourg)
• Detpak (Australia)
• Mannok (Ireland)
• Tekni-Plex Inc. (U.S.)
• Placon (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• April 2025: DS Smith and Priméale launched a fiber-based punnet that is free of plastic for Priméale’s Vegetable Kit line, aimed at safeguarding fresh produce during transit and while on display in stores. Reported to be entirely recyclable, the solution consists of a fiber-based corrugated cardboard tray and a cellulose hydrate cover.
• July 2024: ProAmpac, a leader in flexible packaging and material science, launched its groundbreaking ProActive Recyclable Fresh Tray FT-1000. This innovative, patent-pending polypropylene tray is categorized as plastic #5 and is suitable for curbside recycling. It presents the food service and grocery sectors with a lightweight foam tray that is easily recyclable.
• April 2024: Klöckner Pentaplast (kp) introduced what it asserts as the inaugural food packaging tray made entirely from 100% recycled PET (rPET) sourced solely from trays. The recently introduced KP tray is promoted as the first made entirely from recycled tray material.
• January 2024: In its ongoing efforts to create packaging materials that align with its clients' sustainability objectives, Sealed Air introduced the first biobased, industrial compostable tray for protein packaging, which has been effectively tested to satisfy the requirements of current food processing machinery.
• November 2019: Huhtamaki and PFF Packaging have created a dual ovenable tray format for high-quality meals offered at home by Harrods. The tailored dual ovenable tray includes a microwave-safe fluted board base and a transparent rPET clip lid. The packaging for food-to-go is the outcome of joint efforts by the food packaging teams at Harrods, Huhtamaki BCP, and PFF Packaging.

REPORT COVERAGE

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Report Scope & Segmentation