Autumn Canton Fair 2024 Wrap-Up: Preparing Bagasse Packaging Programs for 2025
The second phase of Autumn Canton Fair 2024 concluded successfully in Guangzhou, giving Grizzlies another valuable opportunity to meet international distributors, foodservice buyers, importers, retailers and private label customers from markets around the world.
As many customers began preparing their 2025 sourcing plans, discussions at the fair were increasingly focused on long-term packaging programs rather than individual products.
For Grizzlies, the exhibition provided an opportunity to present our sugarcane bagasse tableware, discuss customized molded fiber projects and better understand how global buyers were responding to changing foodservice, sustainability and compliance requirements.
Global Buyers Arrived with Clearer Plans for 2025
The 136th Canton Fair attracted strong international participation, reflecting continued demand for direct communication with Chinese manufacturers.
Many customers visiting the exhibition were already planning product ranges, supplier strategies and purchasing schedules for the following year.
Instead of simply asking which products were available, buyers wanted to discuss:
- which materials were suitable for their markets;
- which products could support specific food applications;
- what compliance documents were available;
- how custom products could be developed;
- what production capacity was available;
- how repeat orders could be supplied consistently.
This more structured sourcing approach created deeper discussions around complete molded fiber packaging programs.
Bagasse Packaging Remained an Important Sourcing Direction
One of the main product areas discussed with customers was sugarcane bagasse packaging for restaurants, catering, takeaway, prepared food and foodservice distribution.
Buyers were interested in replacing or reducing conventional disposable materials while maintaining the performance required for commercial food applications.
Our molded fiber range includes:
- food containers;
- hinged clamshell boxes;
- bowls;
- plates;
- compartment plates;
- food trays;
- custom molded pulp products.
Customers evaluating bagasse food containers were particularly interested in different capacities, lid options and structures for takeaway, prepared food and retail applications.
The ability to offer several formats allows buyers to build product ranges around different meal types instead of relying on one standard container.
Clamshells Continued to Be Popular for Takeaway Meals
Bagasse clamshells remained one of the most frequently discussed foodservice formats.
Restaurants and distributors value hinged packaging because the lid and base form one integrated product, simplifying restaurant packing and inventory management.
Grizzlies offers bagasse sugarcane clamshells in different footprints, depths and compartment configurations.
Single-compartment formats can support burgers, sandwiches, fried food and rice dishes, while compartment designs are useful for combination meals and catering applications.
Our 8 × 8 inch and 9 × 9 inch three-compartment bagasse clamshells, for example, allow multiple meal components to be separated within one package.
These options gave buyers greater flexibility when planning different foodservice SKUs for 2025.
Customers Were Planning Complete Product Portfolios
Another clear result from Autumn Canton Fair 2024 was growing interest in broader product portfolios.
Distributors and private label customers often wanted more than one item. They were looking for manufacturers that could support multiple molded fiber categories under one sourcing program.
In addition to containers and clamshells, customers discussed bagasse sugarcane plates for catering, restaurant and event applications.
Our bagasse sugarcane trays were also relevant for meal service, prepared food and institutional catering projects.
For B2B customers, consolidating several product categories with one manufacturer can simplify supplier management, quality control and repeat-order planning.
PFAS-Free Requirements Continued to Shape Buyer Decisions
PFAS-free packaging remained one of the important technical topics throughout 2024.
For molded fiber food packaging, grease and moisture resistance are essential in applications involving fried food, oily dishes, sauces and hot meals.
At the same time, regulatory pressure around PFAS had increased significantly.
Earlier in 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that grease-proofing substances containing PFAS were no longer being sold by manufacturers for food-contact use in the United States.
As a result, international buyers increasingly wanted clear information about PFAS-free bagasse packaging and alternative barrier technologies.
For Grizzlies, the technical objective is not simply to remove a particular substance. Packaging must still provide the grease resistance, moisture resistance and structural performance required for its intended food application.
European Packaging Regulation Was Influencing 2025 Planning
European buyers were also looking ahead to changing packaging regulations.
In March 2024, the Council of the European Union and European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on new packaging and packaging waste rules.
The proposed framework included stronger requirements around waste reduction, packaging minimization and substances of concern, including restrictions on PFAS in food-contact packaging above specified thresholds.
Although the regulation had not yet completed the full formal adoption process at the time of the October exhibition, it was already influencing conversations with buyers preparing future packaging programs.
Customers wanted to understand how packaging choices made for 2025 could remain suitable as European requirements continued to evolve.
Barrier Solutions Became a Bigger Part of Molded Fiber Development
As buyers looked for PFAS-free solutions and broader applications for molded fiber packaging, barrier performance became increasingly important.
Different foods create very different technical requirements.
A dry snack and a chilled prepared meal do not require the same moisture or grease protection.
Depending on the project, buyers may need different coating or lamination solutions to support:
- oily foods;
- wet meals;
- chilled food;
- frozen applications;
- longer holding times;
- specific lid structures.
Grizzlies works with customers to evaluate the relationship between molded fiber structure, barrier requirements and the actual food application before moving into mass production.
Customization Became Central to 2025 Projects
Many of the projects discussed at Autumn Canton Fair 2024 involved customization.
Professional buyers increasingly wanted packaging developed around their own foodservice, distribution or retail programs rather than selecting only standard catalogue products.
OEM and ODM discussions included:
- custom dimensions;
- different capacities;
- special compartment layouts;
- custom product depths;
- new molds;
- lid combinations;
- barrier and lamination requirements;
- private label packaging;
- carton and pallet specifications.
Grizzlies supports customers from product concept and mold development through sample confirmation, testing and mass production.
This flexibility allows buyers to develop differentiated molded fiber packaging ranges for their own markets.
Our Manufacturing Scale Supports Long-Term Supply
As buyers prepared purchasing plans for the following year, stable manufacturing became just as important as product design.
Grizzlies Industries has more than 15 years of OEM and ODM experience in disposable food packaging.
Our manufacturing network includes:
- 11 production bases;
- more than 1,000 employees;
- over 280 automated forming machines;
- monthly production capability of approximately 200 × 40HQ containers.
This scale allows us to support distributors, restaurant groups, retailers and private label customers requiring stable repeat production.
For large B2B programs, manufacturing capacity also provides greater flexibility when customers need multiple product sizes or categories within the same sourcing plan.
Quality and Compliance Remained Core Purchasing Criteria
Buyers at Autumn Canton Fair 2024 continued to ask detailed questions about quality assurance and compliance documentation.
Depending on the destination market and product application, customers may need support relating to FDA, LFGB, BPI, OK Compost, OK Compost Home, BRCGS, BSCI and PFAS-free requirements.
Clear technical documentation helps buyers evaluate products before committing to large orders and can support internal product approval, retailer requirements and import processes.
For Grizzlies, compliance support forms part of the overall B2B sourcing process rather than being treated as a final step before shipment.
Strengthening Existing Partnerships and Creating New Opportunities
The exhibition also produced valuable opportunities beyond individual product inquiries.
Existing customers visited our team to discuss 2025 purchasing plans, new product requirements and opportunities to expand their current ranges.
At the same time, new buyers were able to evaluate Grizzlies' manufacturing capabilities, molded fiber portfolio and approach to customized development.
Face-to-face communication helped both sides discuss project details more efficiently, including specifications, samples, molds, compliance documents, MOQ and expected production schedules.
These discussions provided a stronger foundation for projects continuing after the exhibition.
What Autumn Canton Fair 2024 Told Us About the Market
One of the most important conclusions from the exhibition was that sustainable packaging procurement was becoming more technical and more strategic.
Buyers were no longer evaluating bagasse packaging only as an alternative material.
They were considering how molded fiber packaging could fit into complete foodservice programs while meeting expectations around:
- food performance;
- chemical compliance;
- compostability;
- customization;
- cost control;
- production capacity;
- long-term supply.
This shift creates opportunities for manufacturers capable of supporting both product development and reliable industrial-scale production.
Preparing for New Bagasse Packaging Projects in 2025
Autumn Canton Fair 2024 helped Grizzlies strengthen relationships with global customers and identify new opportunities for the year ahead.
As buyers prepare their 2025 packaging programs, we will continue focusing on PFAS-free molded fiber solutions, improved barrier performance, customized product development and stable large-volume manufacturing.
Our goal is to help distributors, foodservice brands, retailers and private label customers develop bagasse packaging that meets both commercial and regulatory requirements.
If you are planning a 2025 project involving bagasse food containers, clamshells, plates, bowls, trays or customized laminated molded fiber packaging, contact Grizzlies to discuss samples, specifications, OEM/ODM development and bulk procurement.