Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market – Trends Forecast Till 2030

Market Snapshot

Market Overview

The global Bioplastics & Biopolymers market size was estimated at USD 13.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 46.1 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 19.1% during the forecast period 2023-2030.

Moldable plastic made from chemical compounds derived or synthesized by microbes such as bacteria or genetically modified plants. Bioplastic is a durable plastic made from bio-based materials such as sugar, algae and starch. Biopolymers are a broad class of materials that include, in addition to bioplastics, natural polymers such as silk, chitosan and wool. Examples of biopolymers are natural gums (isoprene polymers), suberin and lignin (complex polyphenolic polymers), cutin and cutan (complex polymers of long-chain fatty acids), and melanin. Bioplastics are made from human and animal waste, plant products and agricultural waste, which are then recycled and used to make new products using the latest technology. Bioplastics and biopolymers are widely used in the packaging industry. Therefore, bio-based raw materials such as starch and plant by-products are used to meet strict government environmental regulations. Therefore, the quality of the products in this industry is worse than in the traditional plastic manufacturing industry. Bioplastics are mostly used for food storage and can be stored for longer periods of time without refrigeration while maintaining their chemical properties.

The main factor driving the growth of the bioplastics-biopolymers market is the widespread use of biopolymers in the automotive and construction industries. In addition, growing consumer preference for eco-friendly plastic products, rising waste management regulations in Europe, and governments' focus on green procurement policies and regulations are also expected to boost the growth of the bioplastics-biopolymers market. However, higher prices and performance issues than traditional bioplastics restrain the bioplastics - biopolymers market, while oil price volatility and limited regulations related to bioplastics in developing countries challenge market growth.

The coronavirus pandemic has had mixed effects on the bio-based sector, with some companies helping to combat the epidemic with technological solutions, while others appear to be seeing increased demand for biodegradable carry-on packaging.

Delvens Industry Expert's Standpoint

The pandemic had a considerable impact on businesses globally, with nations like India and China bearing the brunt of the virus's outbreak. The bioplastics and biopolymers market is primarily driven by increasing demand for plastic convenience and premium foods, increasing urban population leading to food adoption, increasing consumption of processed or stored foods and packaged foods for consumers worldwide, increasing disposable income of eatable food and   versatility of food and packaging. One of the dominant end uses in the bioplastics and biopolymers market is packaging. Bioplastic, especially biodegradable bioplastic, is becoming a substitute for conventional plastic for environmental reasons. Bioplastics are increasingly used in bottles, films, clamshell packaging, waste collection bags, carrier bags, mulch films and serving dishes. In addition, the market is expected to grow due to the increase in demand for packaged foods, innovation and development of bioplastic packaging, increasing healthcare of consumers, and increasing wear-resistant foods by food owners. Changing lifestyles of consumers in developed countries,  growing pharmaceutical, food and other industries, and the emergence of new product developments in the field of bioplastic and biopolymer products will create opportunities for manufacturers in the global market during the forecast period. These factors have led to the expansion of the market and increased demand for Bioplastics & Biopolymers solutions.

Market Portfolio

Key Findings

• The type segment is further fragmented into Biodegradable, Non-Biodegradable and Others. The Starch based segment under the biodegradable segment is expected to account for a larger market size during the forecast period. Starch is usually added to conventional plastics to give the resulting compounds some degree of biodegradability. Starch blends are excellent biodegradable fillers due to the poor thermal stability and melting properties of most materials. They can be used to reduce costs and accelerate the biodegradation of composite materials. Low starch content and PP blends increase flexibility and flexibility, making the grade ideal for extrusion applications. The grade's high starch content promotes brittleness, resulting in low tensile strength compared to conventional PP, making it suitable for injection molding applications.

• The raw material segment is further bifurcated into sugar cane, potato, corn starch, switchgrass, vegetable oil, cassava, wheat and others. The corn starch is the largest market during the forecast period. Corn starch is obtained from corn kernels, which are used to make polylactic acid (PLA). Corn kernels are the cheapest available and also the most abundant source available. Corn bioplastics made from PLA are a popular alternative to traditional plastics derived from petroleum-based chemicals. Biodegradable packaging materials, food bags and food packaging materials can be made from cornstarch bioplastic. It is also used in medical implants and surgical devices such as sutures, ligatures and mesh. One of the leading manufacturers, NatureWorks LLC, launched Inge's line of bioplastics derived from corn starch for high-value-added applications in rigid and flexible packaging manufacturing.

• The end-user industry segment is further bifurcated into packaging, consumer goods, automotive and transportation, textile, agriculture, others. Large enterprises to account for a larger market size during the forecast period. Biopolymers have special advantages such as biodegradability and bio-based content, making them a better choice for agriculture. Farmers used BAT and PBS mulch films to improve crop productivity and soil quality. These polymers are also used in the cultivation, harvesting and processing of agricultural products. Agricultural films can also be used to make pots. Biopolymers such as starch-based plastics, BAT and PBS are used in a wide range of applications, including agricultural mulch films, seed strips, ribbon plantings, planters and cover films. Adding mulch increased biodegradability and water solubility of bioplastic. This has led to an increase in demand for bioplastics in agriculture.
   
• The market is also divided into various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East and Africa. Europe is estimated to account for the largest market share during the forecast period owing to the consumer acceptability of bioplastics.

Regional Analysis

Europe to Dominate the Market

• Europe is estimated to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. In Europe, consumers have started accepting bioplastics for their daily uses.
   
• Moreover, the increasing usage of bioplastics in key end-use industries such as consumer goods, packaging, textiles, automotive & transportation, and medical devices among others.

Competitive Landscape

• Arctic Biomaterials
• Avantium
• BASF SE
• Biome Bioplastics Ltd.
• Bio-On
• Biotec
• Braskem SE
• Cardia Bioplastics
• Corbion
• Futerro
• Green Dot Bioplasics
• Ineos Styrolution
• LyondellBasell
• Mitsbushi Chemical Group Corporation
• Natureworks LLC
• Novamont SPA
• Plantic Technologies
• SABIC
• Solvay
• Teijin Ltd.
• Teknor Apex
• Toray Industries
• Total Energies
• Trinseo S.A.

Recent Developments

• In November 2022, TotalEnergies Corbion announced a long-term collaboration with BGF. Both companies entered into arrangement for application development and the supply of Luminy PLA.
   
• In October 2022, Braskem announced to expand its I'm greenTM biopolymer production capacity by 30%. The company is investing USD 60 million to expand the capacity. Brakem and SC chemicals are the partners for the project. This partnership helps to double the current capacity for I'm greenTM products.

Reasons to Acquire

• Increase your understanding of the market for identifying the most suitable strategies and decisions based on sales or revenue fluctuations in terms of volume and value, distribution chain analysis, market trends, and factors.
   
• Gain authentic and granular data access for the Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market to understand the trends and the factors involved in changing market situations.
   
• Qualitative and quantitative data utilization to discover arrays of future growth from the market trends of leaders to market visionaries and then recognize the significant areas to compete in the future.
   
• In-depth analysis of the changing trends of the market by visualizing the historic and forecast year growth patterns.

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