Why HoReCa Businesses Are Switching to Paper Packaging in 2025

The Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafés (HoReCa) sector is undergoing a profound shift as sustainability becomes a driving force in 2025. With consumer preferences leaning heavily toward eco-conscious practices and regulations tightening around single-use plastics, the demand for sustainable restaurant packaging is surging. The National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show 2025, set for May 17-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago, will serve as a pivotal platform to showcase these changes. At Nessco, we’re excited to lead this transformation with our cutting-edge paper packaging machines, designed to meet the needs of HoReCa businesses of all sizes. This guide explores the trends, benefits, and opportunities awaiting attendees at NRA Show 2025, with a focus on why paper packaging is reshaping the industry.

In 2025, the HoReCa sector is projected to drive approximately $8 billion in demand for paper cups and packaging, a significant portion of the $14.3 billion global paper cups market. This estimate stems from market research indicating that HoReCa accounts for about 55% of paper cup usage, fueled by the rise in on-the-go consumption and quick-service restaurants (QSRs). The broader sustainable packaging market, valued at $305.19 billion in 2025, underscores the growing role of paper-based solutions, with paper and paperboard comprising 38.2% of this market.

Consumer behavior is a key catalyst. Surveys from 2024 reveal that 72% of diners prefer businesses prioritizing sustainability, with eco-friendly packaging topping their concerns. Paper packaging, made from renewable resources like responsibly sourced pulp, offers a viable alternative to plastic, which faces increasing bans across U.S. states and cities. Restaurants adopting paper solutions report enhanced brand loyalty and positive customer feedback, aligning profitability with environmental responsibility.

Nessco’s paper packaging machines are designed to meet this demand. From small cafés to large hotel chains, our technology helps businesses reduce their environmental footprint while ensuring quality and efficiency. At NRA Show 2025, we’ll present these innovations, illustrating how HoReCa businesses can easily adopt sustainable practices.

The equipment landscape in 2025 is shifting toward in-house solutions, driven by rising outsourcing costs and supply chain uncertainties. Restaurants are increasingly investing in on-site production to gain control over packaging needs. Nessco’s paper packaging machines, including those for cups, bowls, lids, cutlery, and boxes, empower businesses to produce customized, high-quality packaging on demand. This trend aligns with the need for scalability and adaptability in a dynamic market.

Whether you’re a small café, a mid-sized restaurant, or a large hotel chain, Nessco offers tailored solutions to meet your year-round packaging needs. In today’s dynamic market, businesses must make a critical choice: 'Make or Buy'.

For large businesses, Nessco enables you to set up your own complete production lines, ensuring greater control, cost efficiency, and brand consistency.

For small and medium businesses, Nessco provides customized, scalable solutions designed to help you bring your packaging in-house without the heavy investment of full-scale manufacturing.

At the NRA Show 2025, we are showcasing how businesses of every size can transform their operations through hands-on demonstrations and expert guidance.

Visit us for a free consultation and discover how Nessco can help you stay agile, reduce reliance on external suppliers, and meet the evolving demands of the foodservice industry.

Nessco’s paper packaging machines address the core challenges HoReCa businesses face: balancing cost, customization, sustainability, and scalability. Here’s how our solutions deliver value:

1. Cost Efficiency: Our Paper Cup Machine stands out in the market by delivering an impressive 180 cups per minute, setting a new standard for efficiency and productivity in the HoReCa sector. In contrast, the current market trend shows that most paper cup machines produce only 60 cups per minute, a significant slowdown that impacts operational throughput. To match the output of a single Nessco Paper Cup Machine, businesses would need to install three individual machines, each operating at the standard 60 cups per minute rate. This approach not only triples the initial investment but also escalates ongoing maintenance and operational costs. Furthermore, accommodating three separate machines requires considerably more floor space, adding to the logistical challenges and overhead expenses for restaurants and hotels already constrained by limited real estate.

Nessco’s Paper Cup Machine eliminates these inefficiencies, offering a highly cost-efficient solution that consolidates high-volume production into a single, streamlined unit. By requiring just one machine, businesses save on the capital expenditure of purchasing multiple units, reduce energy consumption, and minimize the need for additional staff training or space reconfiguration. This consolidated approach not only lowers the total cost of ownership but also enhances workflow simplicity, allowing HoReCa establishments to allocate resources more effectively. Compared to the fragmented and costly alternative of deploying three machines, Nessco’s innovative design delivers unmatched value, making it the go-to choice for restaurants and hotels aiming to optimize their packaging operations without compromising on output or profitability. This translates to annual savings of 30-40%, freeing up resources for menu development or staff training. High-speed output ensures supply meets demand, even during busy periods.

2. Sustainability: With 2025 regulations targeting plastic waste, our Paper Bowl Machine, Paper Lid Machine, Ripple Wall Paper Cup Machine, Double Wall Paper Cup Machine use biodegradable materials to meet new standards. These solutions reduce environmental impact while creating durable, consumer-friendly products, positioning restaurants as eco-leaders.

3. Customization: In the competitive HoReCa landscape, branding matters. Our Paper Cutlery Machine crafts logo-imprinted utensils to enhance customer experience, while the Octagonal Paper Box Forming Machine, Carton Erecting Machine, and Paper Lunch Box Machine deliver unique takeout packaging. Personalized designs strengthen brand identity and improve recall.

4. Scalability: Nessco’s machines effortlessly cater to diverse needs, whether small cafés producing 500 units daily or hotel chains demanding thousands. This adaptability fosters business expansion without requiring constant equipment updates, maintaining efficiency across a wide range of operational demands.

The year 2025 marks a regulatory and cultural turning point for HoReCa. Stricter plastic bans in states like California and cities like Chicago are pushing restaurants to adopt alternatives like paper packaging. Non-compliance risks fines and reputational harm, but proactive businesses can leverage sustainability as a marketing edge. Paper packaging aligns with the values of millennials and Gen Z, who are willing to spend more at eco-conscious establishments.

Economically, in-house production mitigates risks from volatile supply chains, a lesson reinforced by recent disruptions. By producing packaging on-site, restaurants gain stability and flexibility. The $8 billion HoReCa demand for paper packaging reflects this shift, with QSRs and cafés leading the charge. NRA Show 2025 in Chicago will be a hub for exploring these dynamics, with exhibitors like Nessco offering practical solutions to capitalize on the trend.

The national restaurant association show Chicago is more than an event—it’s a launchpad for innovation. Scheduled for May 17-20, 2025, at McCormick Place, NRA Show 2025 will bring together industry leaders, equipment providers, and restaurateurs to explore the latest advancements. Nessco will be front and center, showcasing our paper packaging machines at NRA 2025 and sharing strategies to implement sustainable practices. Attendees can expect hands-on experiences, expert panels, and networking opportunities to connect with peers and suppliers.

For Nessco, this event is an opportunity to affirm our commitment to the HoReCa community. We’ll provide insights on optimizing production, reducing costs, and achieving sustainability goals, all customized to the unique needs of restaurants. Whether you’re a decision-maker looking to upgrade equipment or a manager seeking inspiration, NRA Show 2025 is where you’ll find the tools to succeed.

Don’t miss your chance to join this revolution. Mark your calendars for May 17-20, 2025, and visit Nessco at Hall - Lakeside Booth No - 11402 during the National Restaurant Association Show 2025. Our team will provide personalized advice on integrating our paper packaging machines into your operations, sharing cost-saving strategies and eco-friendly innovations to help your restaurant thrive in 2025 and beyond.

To prepare, explore our dedicated NRA Show 2025 page at https://www.nesscoindia.com/us/en/media-room/nra-2025, where you can learn more about our machines, and download our free guide to sustainable packaging trends.

At Nessco, we believe the future of HoReCa lies in sustainable, efficient, and customizable packaging. Let us help you unpack that future at NRA Show 2025, where your restaurant business can take flight with the right equipment and expertise.