The biodegradable plastic market was valued at US $ 7.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US $ 20.9 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 21% during the forecast period 2024 – 2032.

Anti-microbe coat, an active agent, covers the surfaces, preventing microorganisms from replicating on these surfaces. Nevertheless, they are not restricted by the presence of handles and doors, while their movement through the wall or counter is also possible. Like surfaces include textile, leather, rubber and shoe soles, other footwear and/or carpets that share certain characteristics among the group they form in connection with each other. It is only a few suppliers that use “biodegradable” plastic additions and “biodegradable” paints to study the growth of these organisms on the painted walls. To these additives that are added in make them a long-lasting defence against Molds, fungi and bacteria. This gives an additional beauty to plastic products since they will still retain the last look after biodegradation irrespective of disintegration, decomposition and any other changes.

There has been a notable increase in the demand side for these types of plastics among government agencies due to the growing need for sustainability which results from implementation of “Green Procurement” policy. Biodegradable plastics have rapidly expanded medical device applications as well as implants. Such materials can be used short term implantable that eliminate the need of second surgical operation. These sutures and drug delivery system are made up of these materials too. Development of building materials from biodegradable plastics such as temporary formworks, films, and insulation continues in the research. These applications suggest potential solutions for plastics reduction during construction.

Originally, biodegradable plastics targeted specific products. Advantageous opportunities are arising as a result of new avenues of applications that are becoming available in the market for biodegradable plastics. Micro-organisms in the environment cause this type of plastics to decompose when exposed to them. These are nature’s waste matter.

These polymers come directly from plants thus providing a cleaner way of extracting fuel without destroying the ecosystem. Biodegradation simply means to describe how such decomposition takes place during decomposition. They must be compostable and meet the internationally accepted standards for biodegradability.

Moreover, some types of the bio-degradable plastics are decomposed while producing water, carbon dioxide and methane formations that later create biomass containing cells’ lives in them. Firstly, some specially designed biodegradable plastics degrade in industrial waste disposal. Among their products include agro-based produce and one of use commodity. Firstly, some packing materials can be made of biodegradable foams. They can moreover be easy extruded and injection molded using a standard equipment with some adjustments. • Since then, people have changed their outlook on everyday consumer goods due to growing awareness about nature problems and improving lifestyle. However, it is known the preference of many people who love biodegrade and expensive but useful to almost every community.

Some of the globally renowned brands that employ sustainable packaging include Calvin Klein, Graze, Kellogg’s and The Body Shop. Other factors that would act as drivers for global biodegradable plastics industry. By 2031, the global market value is estimated to reach around USD 7 billion with a CAGR of about 6.5 %.

The Biodegradable Plastics Market Trend Analysis

Currently, there is massive growth in the packaging industry across the globe. According to National Geographic’s analysis, about forty percent of the plastic produced is used as disposable packaging materials which are ultimately thrown away. Likewise, it is thought that almost 500 million plastic bags are taken every year globally. However, excessive plastic intake is harmful to the environment. The use of environmentally friendly materials such as those that are recyclable has become popular in the age of digital media between the consumers and the producers. The establishment of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive in Europe serves two primary purposes: reducing environmental problems posed by packaging wastes and also for curbing trading bottlenecks. Just the same, the American Food Safety Authority has strict standards governing recycled plastic materials used for food handling. It is believed that these regulations will open up space for the growth and expansion of biodegradable plastics.

Segmentation Analysis of the Biodegradable Plastics Market

By Product

For 2022, the largest product grouping in terms of value was starch based (over 41.3 percent). Based on product, the market is divided into starch-based, PLA, PBAT, PBS, PHA and others. This starch segment is expected to account for an increased share of both value and volume in all years under estimation. Plastics derived from starch are used in different fields such as agriculture, packaging, and automotive sector among others. Also, PLA product plastics are taking over significantly in the industry. The lowest price of PLA amongst all the products promotes this sub market.

It should be noted that during all year of forecast, PHA will get significant growth. Expanding application of PHA in medical and other sectors will promote growth of PHA, a segment of biodegradable plastics market. For instance, PHA is widely employed in the medical sector for encapsulating drugs, production of scaffolds and medical implants among others. The other related medical applications involve bone plates and scaffolds for engineering bone marrow and tissues. PHA is also used in the production of compost bags, agri-sack, film and foils, and packaging, besides its medical uses. These are expected to drive the global growth of PHA.

By Application

Biodegradable plastics registered revenues exceeding 60.3% in 2022, with packaging being the leading application segment. Biodegradable plastics are used in one of the key consuming sectors; packing industry. Used for flexible and rigid package printing. For example, increase in usage of eco-friendly plastics for making trays, bottles, cups, etc. instead of normal plastics are contributing to the growth of this biodegradable plastic market.

Additionally, a large chunk of the market was taken by the agriculture industry. Biodegradable mulch film is crucial for improving soil temperature moderation, restricting weed growth, and preserving the moisture of the ground, thereby enhancing faster crop growth. The use of biodegradable plastics also cuts across developed economies where they are employed more in production of consumer goods.

Regional Analysis of the Biodegradable Plastics Market

Indeed, in 2022 Europe became the leading global region regarding bioplastic revenue generation, amounting to more than 43 percent of the overall receipts. As a result of this, the region can expect the increased demand for information on handling plastic waste and EU legislation regarding single-use plastics. In the end, Asia Pacific will still hold the title of being the most energetic continent in the world. An increment expected in the disposable income and a boost of the quality of living in growing countries such as China and India should foster to regional market.

Furthermore, Central and South America became an attractive commercial direction. But at partial extent it is due to availability of cheap raw materials also. During that year, the region should register a total aggregate of 9.6%. The increased demand for bio-base packaging in the US market is very high to provide foods and household products like cosmetics. In addition, using bio-plastics and bio-bags instead of conventional plastics goods greatly assists in promoting environmental care because they are equally good. Hence, the expectancy of growth in demand for biodegradable plastics should remain throughout the projection period.

It is expected that the development of degrading plastic will expand significantly in Europe within some time because there are many reasons which lead to this fact, for instance strict ecological regulations, growth of an ecologic conscience of citizens and increase of expenses on research and developments in biotechnologies. As a result, government initiatives like the European Union resolution to cut down on the general consumption of single-use plastic products within the region with the targeted reduction projected at around eighty percent before the end of year twenty-two are projected to spur the demand for biodegradable plastics.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Biodegradable Plastics Market.

The world market is undergoing several changes due to a huge number of cases that are now accounted for because of the pandemics of covid. The adaptability of biodegradable plastics industry’s management practices towards this unexpected eventuality would be a challenge. Moreover, the non-availability of basic raw materials is hindering the development of the world’s market which adversely affects efficiency and the involved players. In addition, this worsens a market situation on a manufacturing and production sites creating enormous deficits and disruptions in operations, either domestic or foreign. The pandemic has increased vaccine and medical care requirements and centres. Consequently, there must be a complete upgrade of the product that can serve smaller, medium, and large organizations.

Increasingly, governments and global markets of biodegradable plastics become aware of a pressing need in huge investments followed with the launch of market-oriented products and services. The public sector is also investing in research and development for market development. Likewise, primary market players have opted to broaden their market scope and portfolio via the development of new products and services. Product innovations and expansions are expected to create entry into markets for the period until end of 2030.

Top Key Players 

1. Cargill Incorporated
2. PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd.
3. Biome Technologies plc
4. Plantic Technologies Limited
5. BASF SE
6. Total Corbion PLA
7. Synbra Technology BV
8. Futerro
9. Novamont SpA
10. NatureWorks LLC
11. Eastman Chemical Company
12. Trineso
13. Danimer Scientific
14. FKuR Kunststoff GmbH

Key Industry Developments in the Biodegradable Plastics Market

• In June 2023, BASF announced the creation of a Biodegradation and Microplastics Center of Excellence at its facility in Michigan. This development will help provide regional clients with ways of attaining circularity and sustainability agenda. Understanding the biodegradability of novel chemistries, new ways of viewing micro plastics and examining compostability is primary target for this research.
• The MOU made between Bluepha Co.Ltd & TatalEnergies Corbion in May, 2023 was aimed at facilitating speedy development of PLA/PHA solutions in China. This way, combining the former’s Luminy PLA with Bluepha PHA technology contributes greatly in advancing development of different new high–performance biopolymers for packaging and other applications.
• Totalenergie corbion and xiamen changsu industrial pte ltd. partner in development of pla sector in May 2023. The organizations will focus on extending into new markets, in addition to R&D for new BOPLA (Biaxialy oriented polylactic acid) technologies and applications.
• At that time, NatureWorks held an event in February 2023 to celebrate the conclusion of its Ingeo PLA factory at Thailand.
• The facility comprises a plant which is expected to have an annual capacity of 75,000 tons.
• In December 2022 Futerro informed about initiation of the first vertical integration refinery for production and recycling of PLA in Normandie (France). The biorefinery is designed to incorporate three distinct units: a device dedicated to the conversion-based PLA extrusion and regeneration, an apparatus for lactic acid metamorphosis of agricultural biomass, and a setup focused on PLA molecular recyclation respectively.
• A novel compostable stick pack made of Novamont Matar-Bi bioplastic film and paper laminate was presented at the K trade show in Germany in October 2022. A powdered formulation produced by DSM for a multivitamin and multimineral supplement consists of over 65 per cents bio based basic materials.
• In July 2022, PTT MCC Biochem and IFG biocomposites group signed an agreement for promotion of innovative bioPBS based staple fiber called IFGbio. This collaboration aims at building an alternative for bulk fiber in various sectors such as food & beverage, construction, and geotextile industry.
• BIOPLASTICS Limited, a subsidiary company of Biome, conducted trial runs and commercial distribution of bio-degradable tree shelters in the UK starting October 2021. These have the same benefits as tree shelters but for 5years until they decompose at the end of two years since they are made from bioplastic material of the firm.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Of Global Biodegradable Plastic Market
   1. Overview of the Market
   2. Scope of Report
   3. Assumptions
2. Executive Summary
3. Research Methodology
   1. Data Mining
   2. Validation
   3. Primary Interviews
   4. List of Data Sources
4. Global Biodegradable Plastic Market Outlook
   1. Overview
   2. Market Dynamics
      1. Drivers
      2. Restraints
      3. Opportunities
   3. Porters Five Force Model
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Threat of New Entrants
      3. Threat of Substitutes
      4. Competitive Rivalry
      5. Bargaining Power among Buyers
   4. Value Chain Analysis
5. Global Biodegradable Plastic Market, By Product
   1. Overview
   2. Starch Based
   3. PLA
   4. PBS
   5. PBAT
   6. PHA
   7. Polycaprolactone
6. Global Biodegradable Plastic Market, By Application
   1. Overview
   2. Packaging
   3. Agriculture
   4. Consumer Goods
   5. Textile
   6. Others
7. Global Biodegradable Plastic Market, By Region
   1. North America
      1. U.S.
      2. Canada
   2. Europe
      1. Germany
      2. U.K.
      3. France
      4. Rest of Europe
   3. Asia Pacific
      1. China
      2. Japan
      3. India
      4. South Korea
      5. Singapore
      6. Malaysia
      7. Australia
      8. Thailand
      9. Indonesia
      10. Philippines
      11. Rest of Asia Pacific
   4. Others
      1. Saudi Arabia
      2. U.A.E.
      3. South Africa
      4. Egypt
      5. Israel
      6. Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA)
      7. Brazil
      8. Argentina
      9. Mexico
      10. Rest of South America
8. Company Profiles
   1. Cargill Incorporated
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   2. PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd.
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   3. Biome Technologies plc
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   4. Plantic Technologies Limited
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   5. BASF SE
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   6. Total Corbion PLA
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   7. Synbra Technology BV
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   8. Futerro
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   9. Novamont SpA
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   10. NatureWorks LLC
       1. Company Overview
       2. Key Executives
       3. Operating Business Segments
       4. Product Portfolio
       5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
       6. Key News
   11. Eastman Chemical Company
       1. Company Overview
       2. Key Executives
       3. Operating Business Segments
       4. Product Portfolio
       5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
       6. Key News
   12. Trineso
       1. Company Overview
       2. Key Executives
       3. Operating Business Segments
       4. Product Portfolio
       5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
       6. Key News
   13. Danimer Scientific
       1. Company Overview
       2. Key Executives
       3. Operating Business Segments
       4. Product Portfolio
       5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
       6. Key News
   14. FKuR Kunststoff GmbH
       1. Company Overview
       2. Key Executives
       3. Operating Business Segments
       4. Product Portfolio
       5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
       6. Key News

Global Biodegradable Plastics Market Segmentation

Biodegradable Plastics by Product: Market Size & Forecast 2024-2032

• Starch-Based
• PLA
• PBAT
• PBS
• PHA
• Others

Biodegradable Plastics by Application: Market Size & Forecast 2024-2032

• Packaging
• Agriculture
• Consumer Goods
• Textile
• Others

Biodegradable Plastics by Geography: Market Size & Forecast 2024-2032

• North America (USA, Canada, Mexico)
• Europe (Germany, UK, France, Russia, Italy, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Southeast Asia, Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Rest of South America)
• Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

Major Players:

• Cargill Incorporated
• PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd.
• Biome Technologies plc
• Plantic Technologies Limited
• BASF SE
• Total Corbion PLA
• Synbra Technology BV
• Futerro
• Novamont SpA
• NatureWorks LLC
• Eastman Chemical Company
• Trineso
• Danimer Scientific
• FKuR Kunststoff GmbH