The Expense Of Edible Plastic: Cost Analysis

Edible plastic is a concept that has been floating around academic bioengineering labs and startup companies for nearly 10 years. It is made of zero-waste packaging materials that can be utilised for food and beverages. The demand for edible packaging could increase on average by 6.9% yearly until 2024 and could become a market worth almost $2 billion worldwide. However, the sustainability of edible packaging is also fuzzy. While it’s certainly a better option than using plastic, the materials or natural resources used to produce it are an important consideration.

The cost of edible packaging compared to plastic packaging

The higher price of edible packaging compared to its fossil fuel-based counterparts could limit its marketability. For example, Loliware plans to make its edible straws competitive in price with paper straws, which cost much more than plastic ones.

However, the demand for edible packaging is expected to increase on average by 6.9% yearly until 2024 and could become a market worth almost $2 billion worldwide. This suggests that consumers may be willing to pay a premium for edible packaging, particularly in certain markets such as air travel, ocean cruises, space travel, and outdoor recreation.

Additionally, it's worth noting that the cost of edible packaging may be negligible compared to the price of certain products or experiences, such as the cost of a ticket for air travel or a camping trip.

The environmental impact of edible packaging

Edible packaging is a promising solution to the environmental impact of plastic waste. Plastic waste is a significant contributor to environmental issues, with plastic pollution in oceans declared "a planetary crisis" by the United Nations. Edible packaging eliminates the need for single-use plastics and other non-recyclable materials, reducing the ecological impact of packaging waste.

However, the sustainability of edible packaging is not without its challenges. The materials used to produce it must be carefully considered to ensure they do not compete with food sources or have a high environmental cost. For example, the natural resources used to produce edible packaging should not be in competition with food sources. Additionally, the higher price of edible packaging compared to its fossil fuel-based counterparts could limit its marketability.

There are two distinct types of edible food packaging materials: films and coatings. Edible films are thin, flexible sheets made from biopolymers, such as polysaccharides (starch and gums) or proteins (gelatin and gluten). These films are created separately and then applied to food products as protective layers. However, they are sensitive to moisture and not suitable for all foods.

The demand for edible packaging is expected to increase, with an average yearly growth of 6.9% predicted until 2024, resulting in a market worth almost $2 billion worldwide. While the cost of edible packaging is generally higher than that of conventional packaging, the extra cost is negligible compared to the price of tickets for air travel, ocean cruises, and space travel, making these prime markets for edible ware.

Overall, edible packaging has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste, but further technological advancements and cost considerations are needed to ensure its widespread adoption and sustainability.

The demand for edible packaging

Edible packaging offers a more sustainable alternative to plastic, although the sustainability of its production is still a concern. Melina Romero, trend insights manager at CCD Innovation, highlights the importance of ensuring that the materials used do not compete with food sources or have a high environmental cost. The higher price of edible packaging compared to its fossil fuel-based counterparts could also limit its marketability. However, companies like Loliware are working to make their edible products, such as straws, competitive in price with paper alternatives, which are already more expensive than plastic ones.

The extra cost of edible packaging is negligible in certain markets, such as air travel, ocean cruises, and space travel, where the cost of a ticket is significantly higher. Outdoor recreation is another high-value market, as consumers may be willing to pay a premium for an environmental benefit. For example, campers might be willing to pay extra to leave less packaging waste behind, either by eating the packaging or burning it in a campfire.

The concept of edible plastics is not new, with the earliest news item appearing in Fast Company in 2014, describing the Ooho, a "blob-like container that holds water in a double membrane using 'spherication,' the technique of shaping liquids into spheres first pioneered in labs in 1946." In 2023, the winners of the Future Insight Prize, worth €1 million in research funding, converted end-of-life plastics into edible food, demonstrating the continued innovation and interest in this field.

The sustainability of edible packaging

Edible packaging is made of zero-waste packaging materials that can be used for food and beverages. It is a better option than using plastic, but Melina Romero, trend insights manager at CCD Innovation, a strategic consulting agency for the food and beverage industry, says that the materials or natural resources used to produce it are an important consideration. The materials shouldn't compete with food sources or have a high environmental cost.

The demand for edible packaging could increase on average by 6.9% yearly until 2024 and could become a market worth almost $2 billion worldwide, according to Transparency Market Research. The cost of edible packaging is higher than its fossil fuel-based counterparts, which could limit its marketability. However, the extra cost of the packaging is negligible compared with the price of a ticket for air travel, ocean cruises, and space travel. Consumers might be willing to pay a little bit more for an environmental benefit.

Loliware, for instance, plans to make its edible straws competitive in price with paper straws, which cost much more than plastic ones. Nature does edible packaging well, and with threats of plastic pollution escalating, edible packaging will find its place, contends Carol Culhane, a food scientist and a member of the Institute of Food Technologists.

The concept of edible plastics is not new. The earliest news item appeared in Fast Company on March 25, 2014. It described the Ooho, “a blog-like container that holds water in a double membrane using ‘spherication,’ the technique of shaping liquids into spheres first pioneered in labs in 1946.”

The future of edible packaging

The concept of edible plastics is not new, with the earliest news item appearing in Fast Company on 25 March 2014, describing the Ooho, a "blob-like container that holds water in a double membrane". However, the idea has been floating around academic bioengineering labs and startup companies for nearly 10 years.

The sustainability of edible packaging is an important consideration. While it is certainly a better option than using plastic, the materials or natural resources used to produce it should not compete with food sources or have a high environmental cost. The higher price of edible packaging compared to its fossil fuel-based counterparts could also limit its marketability.

Edible packaging has a wide range of potential applications, including in air travel, ocean cruises, space travel, and outdoor recreation. For example, consumers might be willing to pay a little more for an environmental benefit when camping, and could either eat the packaging or throw it into a campfire.

Overall, the future of edible packaging looks bright, with increasing demand and a growing need to reduce plastic waste. However, there are also challenges to overcome, such as ensuring the sustainability of the materials used and making the pricing competitive.

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