Market Insights
Food wastes mainly consist of oils, fats, and by-products of animals, which are converted into saleable commodities that include tallow, high-protein meat, and grease, among others. These commodities are used in the production of biofuels, soap, animal feed, cosmetics, toothpaste, leather, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, etc. Food waste is emerging as a social and economic problem with consequential environmental implications. Food wastage is set to rise at an alarming rate, thereby hosting various challenges for the food industry during the forecast period and consequently leading to the growth of the food waste management market. In addition, unwanted food waste resulting from marriages, parties, restaurants, and hotels also supports the need for proper food waste management. All these factors are contributing to the growth of the food waste management market during the forecast period.
Food waste utilization as a renewable source of energy is an important factor driving the global market for food waste management systems. Food waste is one of the sources of methane, which is utilized as a renewable source of energy to power various treatment plants. Trends show that the majority of feed litter generated from food waste is recycled to produce organic fertilizers or animal feed, leading to the growth of the global food waste management market. On the other hand, the emergence of new technologies for the disposal of waste, followed by the need for generating alternative sources of energy, serves as an opportunity in the global food waste management market.
The global food waste management industry is segmented by waste type, application, and process. Based on waste type, the market is categorized into fruits and vegetables, cereals, fish and seafood, processed foods, dairy products, coffee grounds and tea, meat, and oilseeds and pulses. In 2017, fruits and vegetables held the largest share in terms of value. Fruits and vegetable waste is mainly generated owing to the adversity of retailer quality standards followed by overproduction, which in turn is expected to bolster the demand for this segment during the forecast period.
In terms of application, the global food management waste market is further segmented into animal feed, biofuel, fertilizers, and power generation. In 2017, animal feed held the largest market share in terms of value. Food waste is basically recycled to produce animal feed. Owing to the high prices of traditional animal feed, manufacturers are shifting towards recycled food waste, as animal feed production from food waste is an ecological and economical method of managing food waste. In terms of process, the market is further segmented into aerobic digestion, incineration or combustion, anaerobic digestion, and others (redistribution, minimization, and disposal). Anaerobic digestion is the most widely used process owing to the fact that it causes less environmental pollution.
Based on the geographical segment, the region with the largest market share of the food waste management market in terms of value was North America in 2017. Product innovations in the process of food waste management offered by key players such as Republic Services, Inc. and Waste Management, Inc., among others, are bolstering the growth of this market in this region. Europe followed North America in the global food waste management market. The Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026, owing to increasing feed dumps in countries that include India and Malaysia.
The global food waste management market is segmented on the following basis:
Types of Waste
- Fruits and vegetables
- Cereals
- Fish and seafood
- Processed foods
- Dairy products
- Coffee Grounds and Tea
- Meat
- Oilseeds and pulses
By Application
- Animal Feed
- Biofuel
- Fertilizers
- Power Generation
By Process
- Aerobic Digestion
- Incineration /Combustion
- Anaerobic digestion
- Others (Redistribution, Minimization, and Disposal)
By Geography
- North America
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- U.K.
- Russia
- Rest of Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- India
- China
- Japan
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Rest of Latin America
- Middle East and Africa
- GCC Countries
- South Africa
- Rest of Middle East and Africa
Key players across the food waste management value chain are:
Suez Environment, Waste Management Inc., Republic Services Inc., Veolia Environment, Covanta Holding Corporation, Waste Connections, Inc., Biffa Group Limited, Advanced Disposable Services Inc., Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc., Clean Harbors, Inc., Remondis SE & Co. Kg., and Stericycle, Inc., among others.
