The disposable tableware market - France

The global disposable tableware market, valued at around $41.66 billion in 2022, is undergoing significant change due to environmental concerns and regulatory developments. Despite its maturity, the market is expected to grow modestly at an average annual rate of 1.46% until 2030. In France, where the market will be worth around 627.854 million euros in 2021, disposable plastic tableware will be banned from 2020, prompting market players to innovate and develop new products. market players to innovate and focus on eco-friendly materials such as wood, bamboo, sugarcane and cardboard.

The French market has seen a shift in consumer habits due to greater ecological awareness, leading to increased demand for sustainable options. Regulations continue to tighten, with new bans on specific plastic items set to come into force in the coming years, requiring adjustments from manufacturers and influencing consumer preferences towards reusable and recyclable alternatives. This regulatory landscape is transforming the market, stimulating competition and encouraging progress in sustainable production and recycling practices.

The French disposable tableware market in transition

The French disposable tableware market, historically rooted in the use of single-use plastic products, is at a turning point due to significant legal changes and evolving consumer attitudes towards sustainable development. The market, which encompasses plastic plates, cups, napkins and cutlery traditionally made from polymers, has begun to embrace more environmentally-friendly alternatives such as wood, cardboard, bamboo and sugarcane.

With the French government imposing a ban on plastic disposable tableware from 2020 as part of the Energy Transition Act, the market is rapidly adapting to meet regulatory mandates and consumer expectations. National production of disposable tableware reached nearly 180 million euros in 2021, testifying to the scale of this market in France. Nevertheless, this sector has seen slight fluctuations in activity over the past decade, with overall stability - except in 2020, reflecting the impact of the pandemic on catering activities.

Sustainable transition has led to higher production costs due to the use of more environmentally-friendly materials, resulting in higher consumer prices. However, these price rises have not mitigated the well-established societal habit of using disposable tableware, which continues to flourish. Market consumption is framed by foreign trade analysis, which shows a strong dominance of imports in the disposable tableware sector, amounting to between 400 and 500 million euros by 2021. If domestic production figures are added, the total size of the French disposable tableware market is between 600 and 650 million euros, although these figures must be regarded as provisional as not all import and export data can be entered under the customs codes identified.

Market demand is concentrated in the catering sector, which has experienced a strong recovery since the pandemic, directly influencing the disposable tableware industry. Dynamic growth in this sector is driving demand for disposable tableware, as it is essential for events such as weddings, birthdays and other collective gatherings. At the same time, consumer demand reflects a growing ecological awareness in France, with over 85% of citizens surveyed expressing concern about the use of disposable plastics and stressing the need for recyclable products. A significant proportion of the population practicing waste sorting reinforces the preference for environmentally-friendly tableware solutions. While discussion of environmental regulations and standards is paramount in this context, it's worth noting that a heightened sense of ecological practice has also led to greater adoption of reusable products, with over half of those surveyed expressing concern about the use of disposable plastics and stressing the need to recycle products.

As France enters an era of environmental awareness, several key players have emerged at the forefront of the disposable tableware market's transition to sustainability. These companies have adapted to new regulations and transformed their operations, marking an era of innovation in the sector.

Below are just a few of the leading companies that have taken the initiative to create a more environmentally-friendly disposable tableware landscape in the country.

Manufacturers

• Balmagne Emballage - With a focus on innovation and ecological responsibility, Balmagne Emballage has invested in creating disposable tableware options that meet demanding new regulations. It has pioneered items that prioritize environmental concerns while offering consumers the convenience they seek in disposable options.
• Picourt Cabis - A formidable player in the manufacturing field, Picourt Cabis has made considerable progress in replacing traditional plastics with more biodegradable materials, offering sustainable solutions for the disposable tableware market.
• Fêtez-moi (SPSS) - Fêtez-moi, under the name SPSS, offers a range of disposable tableware that bridges the gap between festivity and ecological awareness. Its products stand out in the market for the balance they maintain between attractive design and environmental sustainability.

Wholesalers:

• SML Food Plastic - As a major wholesaler, SML Food Plastic has played a key role in the supply chain, offering a wide selection of disposable tableware from various manufacturers, meeting a wide range of customer needs while adapting to the move towards more sustainable products.
• Proébo - Proébo's extensive catalog offers a mix of traditional and eco-friendly tableware. Proébo has influenced the market by making sustainable options more accessible to businesses, encouraging environmentally friendly practices on a wider scale.
• Thouy - A powerful wholesaler, Thouy has a strong market presence. Focusing on environmental stewardship, it educates consumers and promotes greener products to a market increasingly receptive to such changes.

Distributors:

• Embunic - Although sales figures are not disclosed, Embunic remains an important distributor in the market, ensuring that sustainable disposable tableware finds its way into the hands of the end consumer.
• Firplast - Firplast has been an essential distributor, playing a key role in the implementation of the EU's sustainable development policy

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 27/09/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Trends in the disposable tableware market
• Production trends in the tableware sector
• Breakdown of tableware production by material
• "How often do you sort your recyclable waste?"
• "Of the following practices, to what extent do they seem problematic to you in relation to the environment?"
• "What are all the elements that reassure you about a product's ecological impact?"
• "How often do you use disposable plastic cups at work or school?"
• "What types of products do you use when you don't use disposable plastic cups?"
• Sales trends in the catering sector
• "In your daily life, what reusable equipment do you use to eat or drink outside the home?
• "In your opinion, what are the main eco-responsible gestures to adopt on a daily basis?"
• Foreign trade in disposable tableware (1), 39241000
• Foreign trade in disposable tableware (2), 48236100
• Foreign trade in disposable tableware (3), 48236910
• Foreign trade in disposable tableware (4), 48236990
• Growth in the number of restaurant chains offering a delivery service
• Home delivery penetration rate by type of service
• Sales by category of food home delivery operator
• Breakdown of fast-food sales
• "On average, how many times a week do you buy takeaway meals sold in disposable containers?"
• Growth in home delivery sales