Disposable Cups Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2034

Disposable Cups Market Size and Forecast

The global disposable cups market size was USD 15.41 billion in 2023, calculated at USD 16.53 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 33.25 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 7.24% from 2024 to 2034. Increasing demand for disposable cups in the beverage industry is expected to drive the market growth.

Disposable Cups Market Key Takeaways

• Asia Pacific dominated the global disposable cups market with the largest revenue share of 36% in 2023.
• North America is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.58% during the forecast period.
• By product, the paper segment has held the largest revenue share of 61% in 2023.
• By product, the plastic segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period.
• By end-user, the commercial segment has contributed more than 81% of revenue share in 2023.
• By end-user, the institutional segment is growing at a solid CAGR of 6.35% during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific Disposable Cups Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2034

The Asia Pacific disposable cups market size was exhibited at USD 5.55 billion in 2023 and is projected to be worth around USD 12.14 billion by 2034, poised to grow at a CAGR of 7.37% from 2024 to 2034.

Asia Pacific dominated the global disposable cups market in 2023 and is also expected to grow with the fastest CAGR during the forecast period 2024 to 2033. Rapid urbanization in countries like India, Japan, and China is leading towards the need for convenient products including disposable cups. The need for disposable cups is increasing due to the emerging economies in this region, they constantly develop various technological advancements which increase the production. The increasing number of online food delivery preferences in these regions will help in increasing the demand for the disposable cups market.

• According to a report by Swiggy and Bain & Company, India's dining out and food delivery market is projected to reach Rs 9-10 trillion by 2030, driven by an annual growth rate of 10-12%.

North America is projected to register significant growth during the forecast period. Advanced connectivity and infrastructure in countries like the United States and Canada have resulted in greater consumption rates of beverages. Food chains like Tim Hortons and Starbucks have marked their presence for many years which maintains the demand for disposable cups in these countries. The busy lifestyles in these countries have increased the preferences for on-the-go drinks to save time. The widespread of these food chains is the major contributor to the disposable cups market which also carries forward the demand for convenience of these products.

• In April 2024, total sales for food services and drinking places in Canada amounted to $8,049,752 thousand.

European countries have been focused towards maintaining environmental regulations in their food and beverage sector which is resulting in the demand for convenience products like disposable cups. This has also influenced consumer preferences towards using biodegradable products. Major growth contributors in these regions are Germany, the United Kingdom and France.

Market Overview

A disposable cup refers to a single-use cup made using foam, plastic, and paper which are to be thrown after using a single time. These cups are commonly used at events and parties where reusable utensils cannot be used. These cups reduce the need for other reusable cups in party and event setups. The rapidly increasing number of food chains around the globe is boosting the demand for disposable cups. Disposable cups are considered a perfect option in many settings as they are designed light in weight. This makes the disposable cups easy to handle and convenient to throw even after use.

The disposable cups market is experiencing huge demand due to increasing social gatherings and events, especially after the moving out from the Corona lockdown phase. The use of disposable cups suits today’s busy lifestyle where people consume beverages like cappuccinos, juices and many more on the go. These factors are catering for individual demand and leading towards the growth of the disposable cups market.

• According to an article published by The Korean Times, Korea consumed 940 million disposable cups in 2023.

Disposable Cups Market Growth Factors

• The rapid shift in urban lifestyles has led to busy schedules, resulting in the growth of disposable cups due to their convenience.
• Rising disposable incomes in developing economies are increasing the use of convenience products like disposable cups, fueling market growth.
• Increasing emphasis on advertisements and campaigns is influencing the youth to opt for environmental products like disposable cups.
• Increasing environmental awareness and the benefits of disposable cups which help to reduce carbon footprints is increasing the reliability of these products also leading to the growth of the disposable cups market.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Convenient use of disposable cups

It is estimated that the world produces around 500 billion disposable cups every year. The main factor behind the widespread popularity of these products is their convenience. Urbanization in developed and developing economies has changed lifestyle patterns which has increased the need for convenience products like disposable cups. Western culture has been the reason behind such dominance of disposable cups due to the wide use of beverages like coffee in their daily lifestyles. Disposable cups provide enhanced durability and longevity which stands out as a convenient option for customers to grab beverages and drinks while on the go. Additionally, the party and event culture in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom is expected to drive the growth of the disposable cups market in the upcoming years.

Rising requirement for hygiene maintenance

The importance of hygiene has increased since the outbreak of the Corona Virus which affected many lives during that period. Since 2020, the beverage and food industry safety protocols have been increased to avoid any damage through unhygienic activity. Disposable cups and single-use cups eliminate the majority risk of two spread of germs in public places. The severe effect of these viral infections has led to many changes in consumer patterns.

The use of these products increases the competition among the other players, which also increases the need for more convenient and environmentally friendly products. Apart from the food and beverage industry, these products are also gaining popularity in many healthcare settings like clinics and hospitals where disposable products are used to serve drinking water to eliminate the risk of any bacterial infection.

Restraint

Higher production rates

The rise of disposable paper cups has significantly changed the business environment but at the same time, the rising production costs of the sustainable alternatives might hamper market growth. The higher production costs restrict the flow of disposable cups in small business areas which couldn’t afford products with higher costs. The higher costs are also associated with the limited availability of biodegradable materials which leads to higher production costs. This increases the competitive landscape to generate shared revenue while maintaining environmental standards. These issues can be tackled by increasing the number of manufacturing sites, especially in developing economies, which can also contribute towards the growth of the disposable cups market.

Opportunities

Emphasis on sustainable products

There are many government regulations and guidelines to eliminate the production of non-biodegradable products. This restricts the use of these materials in production and increases the demand for biodegradable products which boosts significant demand in the market. The use of sustainable materials in production will help the product to break down naturally and minimize the environmental impact. The breakdown of these materials also helps in the enrichment of the soil which is helping them to gain wider popularity. The government's focus towards implementing the use of these products is leading towards sustainable consumption patterns, fueling the growth of the disposable cups market.

Technological advancements

The focus towards sustainable production has been leading to many regulatory complications which can only be tackled by using advanced robotics which can help in reducing the costs and improving the product durability. The changing consumer patterns can be tracked by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) which also helps in suggesting solutions related to the issues. Many manufacturers are using 3D printing to attract more audience. The rising need for disposable cups while sticking to environmental guidelines is attracting numerous funds for research and development (R&D) activities which may help in finding solutions to the problems associated with the environmental risk.

Product Insights

The paper segment held the largest share of disposable cups market during the year 2023. Disposable paper cups are made using virgin paper pulp and coated with wax to prevent it from liquid soaking. These products are gaining wider popularity due to the increasing use of polyethylene for coating which helps to enhance the durability of the cup. Paper cups. The main reason behind the dominance of paper cups is recent environmental trends which are influencing the consumer preference towards using plastic cups. Many government regulations and initiatives towards eliminating plastic increase the demand for disposable cups in various industries like food and beverage and tourism, fueling the growth of the disposable cups market. The paper cup segment is also expected to register the fastest growth during the forecast period due to recyclability aligns with the sustainability initiatives.

• For instance, Simply Cups, a stewardship program in Australia aims at to divert 1.8 billion paper cups from landfills through innovative recycling, collabs, education and solutions which would contribute towards the economy.

The plastic segment is expected to register a significant growth during the forecast period 2024 to 2033. Plastic cups are still popular in some sectors or businesses because of their cost-effectiveness. They are easily available in the market due to the existing presence for the past decades. There is attention towards enhancing biodegradable plastic cups which might help in maintaining the sustainable needs and increase the demand in the disposable cups market. PLA plastics might play a vital role towards the growth of plastic cups as they are made from renewable resources which don’t release toxic fumes when they are incinerated.

End User Insights

The commercial segment held the largest share in the disposable cups market in 2023. The rapid upsurge in the number of cafes, restaurants and food chains has majorly contributed towards the growth of the disposable cups market. The huge number of customers in these places cannot be served drinks and beverages in reusable and washable cups, which increases the demand for disposable cups. These disposable cups maintain hygiene and the regulatory guidelines in their setups which reduces the risk of any infections or diseases. Additionally, the increasing number of online food delivery platforms has increased the need for convenient and durable cups which contribute towards the growth of the disposable cups market.

The institutional segment is expected to register decent growth during the forecast period 2024 to 2033. Many colleges, universities and schools are implementing the use of disposable cups in their cafeterias and water drinking zones to maintain hygiene among a large number of students. Additionally, after COVID-19 many corporate offices have resumed their work from office mode which increases the need to provide facilities to their employees while maintaining the regulations and hygiene. The increasing influence due to government regulations is expected to carry the growth of the disposable cups market.

Disposable Cups Market Companies

• Huhtamäki Oyj
• Dart Container Corporation
• Berry Global Group Inc.
• Pactiv LLC; DUNI AB
• WestRock Company; Genpak
• LLC
• Go-Pak UK Ltd.
• ConverPack Inc
• Benders Paper Cups

Recent Developments

• In May 2024, Yee Wah Global, formerly a leading manufacturer of styrofoam containers, shifted to producing eco-friendly disposable cups and utensils in response to the plastics ban, turning the regulatory change into a research and investment opportunity in sustainable tableware.
• In April 2024, Starbucks unveiled redesigned plastic cups that use 20% less plastic, aiming to significantly reduce waste and carbon output by 2030, enhancing their sustainability efforts.
• In November 2023, Mitsubishi Chemical Group's compostable polymer BioPBS™ was adopted by FOOD AGRI NEXT LAB for paper cups used in the "N=Yatsugatake Experiential Sustainable Program," promoting recycling and composting in Japan’s Yatsugatake area.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Product

• Paper
• Plastic
• Foam

By End-user

• Commercial
• Institutional
• Household

By Geography

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa