Biodegradable Plastics Market Overview

Biodegradable Plastics Market Size Was Valued at USD 4.41 Billion in 2023, and is Projected to Reach USD 8.89 Billion by 2032, Growing at a CAGR of 8.1% From 2024-2032.

Biodegradation is the property of a material that can be completely converted into water, CO2, and biomass by the action of microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Biodegradable plastics can be decomposed by microorganisms present in the environment by penetrating the microbial food chain. Biodegradable plastics can be decomposed by the action of living organisms, usual microbes, carbon dioxide, into the water, and biomass. Biodegradable plastics are produced with microorganisms, renewable raw materials, and petrochemicals. Additionally, the potential of biodegradable plastics and more particularly that of polymers obtained from renewable resources such as polysaccharides (e.g., starch) have long been acknowledged. Nevertheless, these biodegradable plastics have been extensively utilized in some and have not found massive applications in the packaging industries to put back conventional plastic materials, although they could be an interesting way to reduce the limitation of the petrochemical resources in the future. Furthermore, fossil fuel and gas could be partially replaced by greener agricultural sources, which should add to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Bio-based and biodegradable plastics can form the basis for environmentally acceptable, sustainable substitutes to current materials based exclusively on petroleum feedstocks. These bio-based materials offer value in the sustainability/life-cycle equation by being a part of the biological carbon cycle, particularly as it associates with carbon-based polymeric materials such as plastics, water-soluble polymers, and other carbon-based products such as biodiesel, lubricants, and detergents. Moreover, identification and specification of biobased content use radioactive C-14 signature. Biopolymers are generally able to be utilized by living matter (biodegraded), and so can be prepared in safe and ecologically sound ways through disposal processes (waste management) such as soil application, composting, and biological wastewater treatment. Single-use, short-life, disposable products can be prepared or developed to be bio-based and biodegradable. Additionally, plastic and its massive waste have become a major environmental issue globally also with growing issues related to petroleum-based plastics such as disposal management motivate growth in the biodegradable plastics market.

Market Dynamics and Factors for the Biodegradable Plastics Market:

Drivers:

High Applications of Biodegradable Plastics in Packaging Industry

Growing usages of biodegradable plastics majorly in food packaging is a key driver for the growth of the biodegradable plastics market in the projected period. This development is majorly due to biodegradable polyesters being the best alternatives to plastics. Therefore, an increase in the applications of bottles, food packaging, and disposable tableware and government support for biodegradable materials with stringent regulations on plastics utilization to overcome environmental pollution are factors anticipated to improve the biodegradable plastics market growth in the forecast time. For instance, in 2020, the German government declared a prohibition on the sale of single-use plastic products such as food containers, cutlery, straws, and other similar products from July 2021 to reduce plastic waste over the nation. As per, The German Association of Local Utility estimates, every year there is an increase of common plastic items waste by 10% to 20%, which is majorly from single-use plastic products. Furthermore, the government is preferring initiatives to develop awareness regarding biodegradable items and helping producers to offer high-quality products. Such factors are anticipated to demand the biodegradable plastics market growth, during the forecast period.

Switching Consumer Preference Toward Eco-Friendly Plastic

Developing consumer consciousness about sustainable plastic solutions and rising efforts to eliminate the use of non-biodegradable conventional plastics contribute to the market growth of biodegradable plastics. Regular used petroleum-based plastics take decades to break down or decompose and lay in the landfills for a long period. Biodegradable plastics break down rapidly when they are dropped and are absorbed back into the natural system. Additionally, the rate of decomposition of biodegradable plastics by the activities of microorganisms is much faster than that of traditional plastics. Biodegradable plastics seize up 60% and more within 180 days or less as compared with traditional plastics, which take about 1,000 years to break down. Rising landfills and waste piles have developed as serious environmental hazards and resulted in various poor effects on the flora and fauna of the ecosystem. The increasing consumer consciousness about these poor effects is motivating the utilization of biodegradable plastics. Hence, the change in consumer inclination toward the use of eco-friendly plastic products is driving the market for biodegradable plastics.

Restraints:

High Production Cost for the Biodegradable Plastics

Higher cost of the biodegradable plastic products owing to huge raw material cost as well as limited accessibility of raw materials. Moreover, the manufacturing cost of biodegradable plastics is 20-80% higher than that of conventional plastics. This is majorly owing to the high polymerization cost of biodegradable plastics as most of the processes are still in the emergence stage and hence, have not achieved economies of scale are expected to be a major obstacle for the biodegradable plastics market growth, throughout the projected period.

Opportunities:

Increasing Incorporation of Latest Technologies to Create Growth Prospects

Constant incorporation of the latest technologies in biodegradable plastics production is estimated to create huge investment opportunities for the market in the upcoming years. For instance, there has been the incorporation of antimicrobial technology in biodegradable materials producing to develop materials with longer shelf life and to expand preservation of the packaged products primarily food items. Additionally, antimicrobial packaging is used to defend against deterioration and ensure microbiological & chemical food safety by preventing microbial growth.

Furthermore, with the rising focus on sustainability and favorable government regulations for green procurement policies, biodegradable plastic producers have lucrative opportunities in the new end-use industries such as medical, electronics, and automotive. The biodegradable plastic manufacturers are investing heavily in R&D activities for the application of biodegradable plastics in various applications in the medical industry, such as screws, repaired materials, and implants. Biodegradable plastics such as PLA and bio-PBS are used for the production of medical devices & equipment. Biodegradable plastics are also utilized in tires with starch-based materials in the automotive industry to reduce fuel consumption which helps to increase the growth of the biodegradable plastic market in the upcoming years.

Market Segmentation

Players Covered in Biodegradable Plastics market are :

• BASF SE
• Dow Inc.
• Novamont S.p.A.
• Plantic
• Natureworks
• Corbion N.V.
• Biome Technologies plc
• Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings
• Eastman Chemical Company
• Danimer Scientific and other major players.

Regional Analysis of the Biodegradable Plastics Market:

The Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the biodegradable plastic market during the forecast period. This dominance is majorly accredited to healthy economic developments for biodegradable plastics applications in the packaging sector and rising consumer positive outlook towards its utilization to reduce plastic pollution. Developing countries such as China and India have implemented severe regulations on conventional plastics utilization and major biodegradable plastic manufacturers in these countries are launching sustainable packaging solutions such as bio-based products, which is expected to drive the market growth in the review time. China is the global second highest economy, is forecast to gain a projected market size of US$1 Billion by the year 2027 the analysis period 2020 to 2027. Furthermore, the development of the biodegradable plastics market in APAC is attributed to the easy accessibility of raw materials used to manufacture biodegradable plastics. The future growth of biodegradable plastics in APAC highly depends on the awareness regarding the application of biodegradable plastics as a viable substitute to traditional plastics and price reduction.

North America is the significant share of the biodegradable plastics market owing to the governmental and regulatory bodies making decisions based on the aims to protect the planet. The conscious population and the high disposable income in the region favor the development of the biodegradable plastics market.

The European region is expected to be the fastest-growing biodegradable plastics market. Stringent regulations implemented by the European Union on fossil fuel-based plastics to overcome carbon footprint in the environment are expected to accelerate the biodegradable plastics market growth in the review time. The European region planned to reduce the consumption of plastic bags in the region by 80%, which has resulted in the extensive application of biodegradable flexible and rigid packaging in the region.

Key Industry Developments in the Biodegradable Plastics Market:

• In October 2021, Biodegradable Future has joined forces with Ocean Plastics Charter of Canada, the Canadian Government, and Biodegradable Future are executed to taking strong actions that dispose with a greener future and share similar goals & objectives. Making a difference in the sustainability arena is of the highest significance and this collaborate will ensure a positive sustainable impact in the fight against plastic pollution.
• In April 2021, NatureWorks declared a new strategic collaboration with IMA Coffee, which is a market leader in coffee handling processing and packaging. This collaboration focuses on growing the market reach for high-performing compostable K-cup in North America.
• In February 2020, BASF and Fabbri Group (Italy) formed a partnership to produce a sustainable solution for cling film used in fresh-food packaging. The film will be utilized in wrapping meat, seafood, and fresh fruits & vegetables. It will be developed by the Fabbri group with BASF's Ecovio bioplastic and will enhance the demand for biodegradable plastics in packaging applications.
• In September 2020, Danimer Scientific, a top designer and producer of biodegradable materials, and Plastic Suppliers, Inc. (PSI), a global producer of biopolymer EarthFirst PLA hurdle and non-barrier sealant films, on this day declared that they will develop bio-based, home compostable films. PSI will use material supplied by Danimer Scientific to create packaging films that will reliably degrade without leaving behind harmful microplastics.

COVID-19 Impact on the Biodegradable Plastics Market:

Owing to the global COVI-19 pandemic, the industries had been affected across the world. Biodegradable plastics are used in various industries, such as agriculture & horticulture, consumer goods, packaging, and textiles. Workforce scarcity, lack of material, logistical restrictions, and other restrictions had slowed the growth of the industry during the previous year. Owing to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and its rapid spread, industries of essential requirements such as getting foods and needed supplies safely to the consumers are growingly influenced. The global impact has helped to a sharp decline in demand for some types of packaging which are lost as non-essential. In addition, the demand for essential packaging such as e-commerce shipment has seen huge growth. These changes are creating packaging companies with a new set of challenges.  The influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on the packaging industry will be mixed owing to these reasons. The Covid-19 pandemic has influenced the normal functioning of companies in the consumer goods sector. The successful marketing model has been influenced by the pandemic, which has stimulated the proper functioning of the business model. Owing to the supply chain interruptions across the world, 76% of the businesses had to overcome revenue targets by an average of 23%, according to the Institute for Supply Management Research. The sector has mixed market feelings as some industries such as household cleaning and frozen foods have seen a rise in consumer demands whereas others have seen a fall in sales and a significant reduction in food traffic in retail stores. The companies had to become pliable with the change in consumer demand towards e-commerce. This has required the entire consumer goods industry into the digital age.