From Pizza Boxes to Burger Boxes: Europe’s Most Popular Takeaway Packaging Formats in 2025
According to Fortune Business Insights, the European foodservice market reached USD 670.23 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to USD 1.12 trillion by 2032.
While many Europeans continue to dine in for social reasons, growing demand for convenience and expanding digital ordering platforms have strengthened the market for delivery, grab-and-go, and takeout formats.
As consumers become more environmentally conscious, businesses—from fast-food restaurants to supermarket delis—are now sourcing sustainable takeaway packaging that balances visual appeal, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency across diverse service models, from quick-service chains to retail ready-to-eat sections.
Table of Content
- Why Is Europe’s Takeaway Packaging Demand Growing So Fast?
- What Kind of Packaging Do Takeout and Grab-and-Go Businesses Need Most?
- How Regulations Accelerate the Shift Toward Sustainable Packaging
- Europe’s Most Popular Takeaway Packaging
- Building a Future-Ready Takeaway Packaging Strategy
- Common Buyer Questions About Takeaway Packaging
Why Is Europe’s Takeaway Packaging Demand Growing So Fast?
Urban professionals and smaller households spend less time cooking and more time seeking ready-to-eat options.
Although dine-in remains the largest segment of the foodservice industry in Europe, delivery, takeout, and grab-and-go formats are expanding at a faster pace, reflecting the region’s growing preference for convenience and time-efficient meals. According to the IGD UK Food-to-Go Market Forecast 2024-2029, this trend is driving steady growth across supermarket and convenience channels.
What Kind of Packaging Do Takeout and Grab-and-Go Businesses Need Most?
For these formats, stackable, space-efficient, and protective packaging is essential. It offers storage efficiency for operators and reliable food protection for consumers while maintaining freshness, hygiene, and presentation quality throughout day-to-day operations.
How Regulations Accelerate the Shift Toward Sustainable Packaging
As Europe’s appetite for takeout and ready-to-eat meals grows, so does its use of disposable food packaging.
This increase in waste has prompted governments and regulators to take action, with the European Union—the region's most influential regulatory body—now moving toward a circular model that emphasizes waste reduction and material recovery.
The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), effective February 2025, requires all packaging placed on the EU market to be recyclable by design by 2030.
National laws across Europe, such as France’s AGEC Law, extend sustainability requirements from design to recycling, promoting better resource management and greater consumer transparency regarding packaging materials.
For importers and distributors, this means packaging choices must now balance functionality with compliance.
Procurement strategies are evolving to align with Europe’s sustainability targets.
Europe’s Most Popular Takeaway Packaging
As Europe’s foodservice industry adapts to new sustainability standards, demand is shifting toward packaging formats that deliver both practical performance and regulatory compliance.
The following categories remain the most widely adopted among distributors, quick-service restaurants, and supermarket delis in 2025.
Pizza Boxes
With pizza remaining one of the world’s most popular menu items and online delivery services expanding rapidly, durable and heat-retentive pizza packaging has become an operational essential across regions.
As reported by IMARC Group, pizza remains one of the world’s most popular menu items — making pizza boxes an essential part of modern foodservice and delivery operations.
Distributors favor paper pizza boxes for their combination of heat retention and recyclability. ENPAK's kraft paper pizza boxes support both—with custom printing options that let you showcase your brand while maintaining sustainable packaging standards. Contact us to create pizza boxes that reflect your brand identity.
Burger Boxes
According to Future Market Insights, the global burger box market is expanding, driven by the rise of quick-service restaurants and delivery platforms. Europe is identified among the key regional markets contributing to this growth.
Typical kraft-paper or fiber-pulp boxes combine strength and grease resistance while supporting sustainable operations.
ENPAK's Compostable Square Clamshell Boxes take this further—made from biodegradable plant fibers, they deliver superior heat retention and structural integrity while keeping food fresh and maintaining its texture.
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| Compostable Square Clamshell Boxes |
| Microwave-safe, Thickened, and Eco-friendly. |
Ice Cream Cups & Dessert Containers
Beyond everyday takeout, desserts—especially ice cream—remain a strong comfort-food category across Europe.
According to Research and Markets, Europe’s ice-cream market is expected to grow steadily through 2033, making ice-cream cups and dessert containers reliable sellers in the foodservice sector.
ENPAK's Compostable Sauce Cups, crafted from natural sugarcane fibers and bamboo pulp, offer a versatile, eco-friendly solution—ideal for ice cream, sauces, samples, and other chilled desserts.
For buyers who prefer classic options, we also offer high-quality kraft paper boxes for small treats. These containers are durable, leak-resistant, and 100% recyclable, making them a dependable choice for both cafés and dessert shops.
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| Compostable Sauce Cup | Kraft Paper Rectangular Light Meal Boxes |
| Fully compostable, Sturdy, and Versatile. | Durable, Leak-resistant, and 100% recyclable. |
Building a Future-Ready Takeaway Packaging Strategy
Europe's foodservice market is entering a new era where convenience, compliance, and circularity converge.From pizza boxes and burger clamshells to ice cream cups, buyers must now select packaging that delivers reliable performance while supporting their brand's sustainability commitments.
For importers and distributors, partnering with suppliers who anticipate regulatory updates and deliver compliant, market-ready packaging is essential.
Looking for compliant and sustainable takeaway packaging?
ENPAK supports global partners with certified, sustainable, and high-quality packaging solutions designed for the evolving foodservice landscape.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your packaging requirements and request free samples—experience firsthand how our solutions can elevate your operations.
Common Buyer Questions About Takeaway Packaging
Q: Can pizza boxes be recycled?
A: It depends on where you are. In most parts of Europe, the answer is yes — pizza boxes made from paper or corrugated cardboard can be recycled.
However, heavily soiled boxes (with grease or food residue) should be disposed of through organic channels.
Many suppliers now offer compostable pizza boxes that comply with local recycling and composting standards.
Q: How can I choose the right takeaway packaging for my meal?
A:Select packaging based on your menu type and required performance. ENPAK’s four main container categories can serve as a practical guide:
Paper Containers
Suitable for baked goods, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and dry or lightly sauced foods. Their rigid structure and printable surface support branding and stable presentation.
Non-Microwavable Plastic Containers
Ideal for cold dishes such as sushi, chilled noodles, fruit bowls, desserts, and refrigerated display items. These containers maintain clarity and prevent leakage during transport.
Microwavable Plastic Containers
Best for hot meals, curries, rice dishes, noodles, and any menu requiring reheating. They withstand high temperatures, resist oils, and remain stable through repeated temperature changes.
Compostable Fiber Containers
Recommended for warm meals, saucy dishes, and fried items. Made from plant fibers, these containers are microwavable and eco-friendly. They support both dine-in replacement and delivery applications while reinforcing a brand’s sustainability image.
If you’re unsure which packaging type is best for your products, ENPAK offers comprehensive consultation services. Feel free to reach out to our team for tailored recommendations.
Q: How do European packaging laws affect takeaway packaging?
A: Under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR, 2025) and national laws such as France’s AGEC Law, all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable by design by 2030.
This means importers and distributors must ensure that their pizza boxes, burger boxes, and other takeaway packaging meet traceability and eco-design requirements from the design stage to recycling.
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Q: Where can I buy certified sustainable pizza or burger boxes for my business?
A: You can source certified recyclable and compostable packaging directly from ENPAK.
We offer a full range of takeaway packaging, designed to comply with European sustainability regulations and help businesses stay compliant and future-ready.
