Europe Artificial Casings Market by Type (Collagen Casing, Cellulose Casing, Plastic Casing, Fibrous Casing, Vegetarian Casing), Application (Vegan Sausages), Distribution Channel (Online), End User (Food Processing Companies, Retailers) - Forecast to 2030

The Europe Artificial Casings Market is projected to reach $1.65 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. In terms of volume, the Europe Artificial Casings Market is projected to reach 16,558.8 million meters by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2023 to 2030. The growth of this market is attributed to an increase in the population growth in Europe and subsequent rise in meat consumption and production, the increasing acquisitions from leading players, increasing preference for artificial casings among sausage manufacturers, casings manufacturers’ shift from natural casings to artificial casings due to operational challenges, and rising number of foodservice chains. Additionally, the emergence of vegetarian sausage casings provides significant growth opportunities for companies operating in this market. However, the higher preference for natural sausage casings over artificial sausage casings among consumers hinders the growth of the artificial casings market in Europe.

Growing preference for artificial casings among sausage manufacturers drives the artificial casings market’s growth in Europe

For decades, sausages have been stuffed into natural sausage casings made from the intestines of animals. These days artificial sausage casings are available in the market due to innovation and new product development in the casings industry. Natural sausage casings are irregular in size and shape, whereas artificial sausages are available in various shapes, sizes, and appearances. Additionally, if natural sausage casings are not stored properly, they become rancid due to bacterial activity, making them unusable. Also, the possibility of breakage and microbial contamination is much higher in natural casings than in artificial casings.

In addition, artificial sausage casings can offer coloring agents, spices, smoke flavoring, and various other materials as a part of the casing to be deposited on the product surface after stuffing and processing. The variety offered by artificial sausage casings has resulted in an increased demand for artificial sausage casings.

Furthermore, the cost benefits of using artificial casings, especially collagen casings for sausage manufacturers, can be substantial, with significant savings in time and labor costs, as collagen casing is easy to work with due to its better consistency and stability compared to natural casings. Thus, using artificial casings helps sausage manufacturers save costs significantly—over 50% in some cases. Additionally, unlike natural casings, collagen casings are ready for use, and soaking or other preparation steps are not required. Collagen casings are particularly effective when sausages are filled mechanically with conventional stuffing machines, as the casings are replenished automatically. This factor helps reduce throughput times. Thus, by using artificial casings, manufacturers can increase their production volumes considerably. These advantages of artificial casings over natural casings have increased their adoption among sausage manufacturers, driving the growth of the artificial casings market.

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Emergence of Vegetarian Sausage Casings Creates Significant Growth Opportunities for Artificial Casings Manufacturers in Europe

Due to health concerns, ethics, and the need for sustainability, diets are changing across the globe. According to European Vegetarian Union (2021), the number of vegans in Europe has doubled from 1.3 million in 2016 to 2.6 million in 2020, representing 3.2% of the total European population. The rapid growth in the vegetarian population, changing lifestyles, increasing industrialization, economic development, health & wellness trends, and rising consumer awareness about the health concerns originating from the long-term use of animal proteins have created immense growth opportunities for plant-based product manufacturers.

Furthermore, there has been significant growth in vegetarianism and veganism in recent years due to increasing health awareness, environmental concerns, and compassion for animals. As of 2019, Germany’s Government has invested USD 780,000 in a research project that examines ways to produce vegan meat with a more meat-like texture. The project, called Texturing Mechanisms in the Wet Extrusion of Soy and Pea Protein, allows researchers at Germany’s TU Berlin and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) to innovate plant-based meat production methods.

In addition, more than 60 companies and research institutions in the Netherlands are focused on the plant-based sector by implementing various strategies. Plant-based foods have gained tremendous popularity among consumers. Planned vegetarian and vegan diets are nutritionally adequate for everyone, from pregnant women to children and athletes. Plant-based diets reduce the risk of health conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, certain types of cancer, and obesity. Plant-based diets are high in fiber and provide all the necessary nutrients when planned well.

Thus, the growing vegan population and health benefits offered by plant-based products support the demand for plant-based foods, offering opportunities for leading meat producers to expand their existing product portfolios with vegan sausages and meat alternatives, which is expected to drive the demand for vegetarian artificial casings.

Key Findings in the Europe Artificial Casings Market Study:

In 2023, the collagen casings segment is expected to account for the largest share of the artificial casings market in Europe

Based on type, the Europe artificial casings market is segmented into collagen casings, cellulose casings, plastic casings, fibrous casings, textile casings, net casings, and vegetarian casings. In 2023, the collagen casings segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Europe artificial casings market. The large market share of this segment is mainly attributed to its lower production cost compared to natural casings and other types of artificial sausage casings. Furthermore, the functional properties of collagen casings, such as edibility, standard diameter, uniformity, and strength, drive their market demand.

However, the vegetarian casings segment is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this segment is attributed to the advancements in food technology, the increasing adoption of vegetarian diets, the increasing venture investments in plant-based food companies, and the growing vegetarian and vegan populations.

In 2023, the animal-based sausages segment is expected to account for the largest share of the artificial casings market in Europe

Based on application, the Europe artificial casings market is segmented into animal-based sausages and plant-based sausages. In 2023, the animal-based sausages segment is expected to account for the larger share of the Europe artificial casings market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increased consumption of processed meat products, the high popularity of collagen casing, and consumers’ rising preference for protein-rich diets.

However, the plant-based sausages segment is slated to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this segment is attributed to the shift toward healthy, tasty, sustainable, and environment-friendly vegetarian products among consumers.

In 2023, the offline segment is expected to account for the largest share of the artificial casings market in Europe

Based on distribution channel, the Europe artificial casings market is segmented into offline and online. In 2023, the offline segment is expected to account for the larger share of the Europe artificial casings market. The large market share of this segment is mainly attributed to the increased availability of food products, the increasing number of modern groceries offering high-quality food products, and the enhanced shopping experience offered by brick-and-mortar stores. However, the online segment is slated to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this segment is attributed to the ease of use and cost-effectiveness offered by online shopping platforms, the increasing internet and smartphone penetration, and the increasing purchasing power of consumers.

In 2023, the food processing companies segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Europe artificial casings market

Based on end user, the Europe artificial casings market is segmented into food processing companies, food service providers, food retailers, and other end users. In 2023, the food processing companies segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Europe artificial casings market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increased production of sausages due to the growing preference for innovative food products, subsequently driving the demand for artificial casings.

However, the food service providers segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this segment is driven by factors such as the increased demand for convenience food due to the busy lifestyles of the working population and the proliferation of food distribution channels.

Germany: Largest Market in Europe

Based on country, in 2023, Germany is expected to account for the largest share of the Europe artificial casing market. Germany’s major market share is attributed to the presence of several sausage manufacturers and the increasing demand for convenience food products in the country. However, the Netherlands is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The market growth in the Netherlands is attributed to the increasing meat consumption and the rising popularity of vegetarian sausage products.

Key Players

The report includes a competitive landscape based on competitive benchmarking of the leading market participants in the Europe artificial casings market. The key players profiled in the Europe artificial casings market study are Viscofan S.A. (Spain), Devro PLC (U.K.), Selo (Netherlands), DAT-Schaub Group (Denmark), ViskoTeepak (Finland), FIBRAN S.A. (Spain), Viskase Companies, Inc. (U.S.), Innovia Films Limited (U.K.), FABIOS S.A. (Poland), Kalle GmbH (Germany), Oversea Casing Company LLC. (U.S.), and Nutra Produkte AG (Switzerland).

Scope of the report     

Europe Artificial Casings Market, by Type

• Collagen Casings
  • Edible Collagen Casings
  • Non-edible Collagen Casings
• Cellulose Casings
• Plastic Casings
  • Tubular Plastic Casings
  • Flat Film Plastic Casings
• Fibrous Casings
• Textile Casings
• Net Casings
• Vegetarian Casings

Europe Artificial Casings Market, by Application

• Animal-based Sausages
  • Fresh Sausages
    • Pre-cooked Sausages
    • Smoked Sausages
    • Cured Sausages
  • Processed Sausages
• Plant-based Sausages

Europe Artificial Casings Market, by Distribution Channel

• Offline
• Online

Europe Artificial Casings Market, by End User

• Food Processing Companies
• Food Retailers
• Food Service Providers
• Other End Users    

Europe Artificial Casings Market, by Country

• Germany
• France
• Italy
• U.K.
• Spain
• Poland
• Netherlands
• Russia
• Rest of Europe

Key questions answered in the report: