Global Paper Cups Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Global Paper Cups Market Size

The global paper cups market was aided by the growing consumption of the product. In 2023, the global consumption reached more than USD 10.8 billion in 2023 and expected to increase in the forecast period of 2024-2032 to reach above USD 13.3 billion by 2032, with consumption growing at a CAGR of 3.5% in the forecast period of 2024-2032.

Paper Cups Market Outlook

• The hot beverage cups segment, especially for tea and coffee, is projected to lead the market due to changing lifestyles of millennials.

• The Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) reports that the mills accepting cups in mixed paper bales account for more than 75% of United States mixed paper processing demand.

• The increasing need to replace plastic with eco-friendly materials is a major growth driver for the paper cups market.

• QSRs, also known as fast-food restaurants, are growing in number globally, boosting demand and consumption of paper cups during dine-in and takeaway food service activities in these settings.

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Paper Cups Market Growth

Paper cups are used widely as carriers for hot and cold beverages like tea, coffee, soft drinks, iced tea, cold coffee, ice creams, and yoghurts, among others. It is often lined with plastic or wax to boost its durability and performance by preventing the liquid from leaking or soaking through the paper.

A shift away from single-use plastics is driving the demand for eco-friendly alternatives like paper cups. Additionally, innovations in paper cup manufacturing, such as recyclable and compostable options have influenced the paper cups market development. Lastly, the rising consumption of coffee and tea, coupled with fast-paced lifestyles, has increased the need for convenient on-the-go packaging solutions, where disposable cups play a vital role.

Key Trends and Developments

Rise in home delivery services, growing emphasis on sustainability, and growing popularity of coffee shops and fast-food outlets are shaping the paper cups market outlook

May 2024

Paper cup recycling in the U.S. has reached a significant milestone, with over 40 paper mills now accepting polyethylene-coated paper cups. This represents a major increase in cup acceptance compared to previous years.

May 2024

South Korea consumed over 940 million disposable cups last year. This figure includes 382 million paper cups and 558 million plastic ones. Moreover, the government is planning a deposit-refund scheme to boost cup recycling rates to 90%.

April 2024

Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee, in collaboration with Graphic Packaging International, has introduced a sustainable Boardio paperboard canister for retail coffee brands, offering a more environmentally friendly packaging option.

September 2023

Dart Container invested in Red Leaf Pulp, a company developing a wheat straw-based pulp mill in Regina, Saskatchewan. The USD 350 million facility will create 110 permanent jobs and will produce 182,000 tonnes of market pulp annually from waste wheat straw.

Shift towards sustainability

One of the most significant trends supporting paper cups market expansion is the growing emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendliness. In July 2021, Lecta launched EraCup Natural, a recyclable, biodegradable, and plastic-free paper-based solution for single-use cups.

Increasing demand for convenience

The rise of on-the-go lifestyles and the growing popularity of coffee shops and fast-food outlets have led to a surge in demand for portable and easy to use paper cups. Companies like Dixie are offering personalised paper cups for events, parties, and businesses, allowing customers to design their cups with logos, messages, or artwork.

Increasing popularity of cold beverages

While hot beverages like coffee and tea have traditionally dominated the paper cups market, the demand for cold beverages is also on the rise. The growing popularity of cold beverages has led to the development of specialised paper cups designed for cold drinks.

Innovations in paper cup design

Manufacturers are introducing new products with improved insulation, anti-leakage properties, and unique shapes to drive paper cups market growth. For example, hot paper cups are partially coated with PE resins and have anti-blocking and thermal insulation properties to keep beverages at the desired temperature.

Paper Cups Market Trends

According to Coca-Cola's Sustainability Report 2020, the company serves around 1.9 billion customers every day and has around 7 billion vending machines worldwide. To dispense soft drinks from vending machines, paper cups are commonly used. As a result, the growth in the overall production capacity of cold beverages is projected to augment the paper cups market growth.

Furthermore, another prominent example of the sustainability trend in the market is the introduction of the "Green Your Cup" initiative by Starbucks. This initiative aims to make the company's iconic white paper cups more environmentally friendly by increasing the use of post-consumer recycled fibre, exploring alternative materials, and promoting recycling in stores.

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Paper Cups Industry Segmentation

The EMR’s report titled “Paper Cups Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Cup Type

• Hot Paper Cups

• Cold Paper Cups

Market Breakup by Wall Type

• Single-Wall Paper Cups

• Double-Wall Paper Cups

• Triple-Wall Paper Cups

Market Breakup by End User

• Quick Service Restaurants

• Institutional

• Household

• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• North America

• Europe 

• Asia Pacific 

• Latin America 

• Middle East and Africa

Paper Cups Market Share

Hot paper cups are aiding the market expansion of paper cups due to rising global consumption of tea and coffee

The hot paper cups segment holds a substantial share in the market as these cups are preferred for serving hot beverages like coffee and tea due to their insulating properties and anti-blocking PE resin covering. On the other hand, the cold paper cups segment also commands a considerable disposable paper cup market share, driven by its lightweight nature and affordability compared to hot cups. Moreover, the continual usage of single-wall products in serving milk-based beverages and flavoured dairy drinks is expected to fuel growth in this segment.

Single- wall paper cups segment dominate the market share due to their cost-effectiveness

As per paper cups market analysis, single wall cups hold a significant market share, known for their cost-effectiveness and eco-friendly appeal. Companies like BioPak are producing premium single wall BioCup products made from plant-based bioplastic, reducing carbon emissions, and appealing to environmentally conscious consumers. Additionally, double wall cups are gaining traction, especially in cafes and coffee shops, where they are used to serve hot beverages like coffee and tea, offering enhanced insulation and a premium image for brands.

Leading Companies in the Paper Cups Market

Market players are focused on developing eco-friendly materials, innovative designs, and strategic collaborations to stay competitive and meet evolving consumer preferences

Dart Container Corporation, founded in 1937, is a manufacturer of foam cups and containers. The company is headquartered in Mason, Michigan, and offers a wide range of food and beverage packaging solutions made from expanded polystyrene foam, solid polystyrene, polypropylene, PET, paper, and sugar cane.

F Bender Limited was established in 1899 and is based in Wrexham, United Kingdom. The company offers a variety of products, including hot, cold, and vending cups, along with lids and stirrers.

Pactiv LLC, founded in 1959, is a major North American fresh food and beverage packaging manufacturer headquartered in Illinois, United States. The company offers high-quality, recyclable, and renewable material-based products for various industries, including over 14,000 unique items crafted from 14 raw materials.

Konie Cups International, Inc., founded in 2007, headquartered in Florida, United States, caters to food service, janitorial, industrial, garage, and healthcare industries. The company offers leak-proof paper cone and souffle portion cups that provide cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions for condiments, medication administration, and sanitation.

Other key players in the global paper cups market include Jiangsu Yinwang New Material Technology Co., Ltd, Huhtamäki Oyj, Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP, Go-Pak Group, Graphic Packaging International, LLC, and Grupo Phoenix, among others.

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Paper Cups Market Analysis by Region

North America is a prominent market for paper cups, driven by the regulations encouraging paper use

North America witnessed the largest revenue share in the global paper cups market in 2022, driven by the ban on single-use plastics for disposable cups and the rising preference for sustainable alternatives like paper cups. Presence of many quick service restaurants in North America has also helped in increasing the paper cups market share in the region as they use paper cups for instantly serving beverages.

The Asia Pacific region is also estimated to contribute the largest market share in the global paper cups market over the forecast period, driven by factors such as the thriving fast food culture, increasing consumer preference for sustainable packaging solution, and high demand for coffee and tea.

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Paper Cups Market Report Snapshots

Paper Cups Market Size

Paper Cups Market Growth

Paper Cups Market Trends

Paper Cups Market Share

Paper Cups Companies

Paper Cups Market Regional Analysis