Global Biodegradable Polymers Market was valued at USD 7.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD $ 20.9 billion by 2032 growing at a CAGR of 21.3% during the forecast period 2024 – 2032.

But ultimately the biodegradable polymers will be reduced to even smaller molecules by natural processes and environmental microorganisms. Feedstock derived polymers differ from their natural petroleum-derived biodegradable counterparts. Biodegradable polymers have many advantages over the non-biodegradables as well. These include less toxicity and side effects for patients, increased adherence to treatment by consumers themselves, and extended drug shelf life. Fishing aids, sanitary goods and shale gas wells have all started using biodegradable polymers. Specialized uses are growing every day. It is hoped that applications such as these will make up the market of tomorrow.

Also, good government policies promoting bioplastics are an important factor in the market's growth. He forecasts that intensive utilization of flexible packaging will further spur the market.

On the other hand, since biodegradable polymers are more expensive than those derived from petroleum products. market growth is expected to be limited.

Therefore, there has been rapid movement toward the use of biodegradable plastic in specialized areas such as fishing nets and lines, sanitary products (like single-use utensils) and even shale gas drilling operations (like hydro-fracturing). I hope these applications will find their place in the market one day.

The Biodegradable Polymers Market Trend Analysis

The Packaging Industry's Increasing Demand

Biodegradable polymers are used for both rigid and flexible packaging. Besides packaging organic foods, biodegradable polymers are also used to encapsulate custom-made branded and superior products.

According to European Bioplastics there should be a worldwide increase of bioplastic production capacities from 2.2 million tons in 2016 to six-and-a third million tons in 207, and by then the proportion accounted for by biodegradable polymers would reach forty percent. The bioplastics packaging market represents the largest segment within the industry, accounting for half of total volume needs.

In rigid packaging, biodegradable polymers are used in cosmetic containers (e.g., lipstick and creams), beverage vessels, or many other products. PLA is widely used in the rigid packaging industry.

Biodegradability is a necessary product characteristic for perishables. To preserve perishable goods, such as fruits and vegetables for example, flexible packaging products like trays or films are just right.

Meanwhile, the government's efforts to enforce strict regulations banning plastics made from petroleum are also increasing interest in biodegradable polymers on both sides of the Atlantic. Furthermore, the rigid packaging used for these bottles in those areas is actively employing biodegradable polymers.

The forecasted growth of the packaging industry over this period is due to improvements in food packaging regulations by various food and safety agencies around the world. This demand will increase with industrialization, so many developing regions such as Asia-Pacific, South America and middle eastern countries are looking for help from overseas foreign firms working there. The market for biodegradable polymers is expected to grow rapidly over the forecast period.

Demand from packaging companies is expected in part to propel the biodegradable polymers market forward for this forecast period.

Segmentation Analysis of the Biodegradable Polymers Market

In terms of value, PBAT based biodegradable plastic has the second highest growth.

As for rigid strength, PBAT can be blended with another biodegradable polymer at present to produce plastic bottles without affecting their flexibility or resilience. Totally compostable (biodegradable), and can be processed in regular polyethylene blown film equipment. Also, PBAT has been used in research as a toughening agent for PLA.

In terms of market value, in 2021 biodegradable plastic applications dominated the packaging industry at nearly half.

Increasingly, environmentally conscious consumers demand alternatives to conventional packaging methods. Biodegradable plastics are in harmony with consumers 'sustainability and environmental values. Biodegradable packaging can help build branding reputation, have an appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and create a positive consumer impression.

Regional Analysis of the Biodegradable Polymers Market

The rate of economic growth in greater China will be the fastest among all Asia-Pacific regions.

As for GDP, China is the largest economy in Asia-Pacific region. The Chinese plastics industry, which produces 29 % of the world's plastic products and is seeking to develop biodegradable plastics derived from corn, sugar or other crops. Demands have been put forth by Beijing in response to environmental pollution issues, and single-use nonbiodegradable conventional packaging as well as disposables such cutlery or plastic bags may be banned.

According to Interpak 2023 statistics, China controls a significant share of the global flexible packaging market. Up to 2022, the average annual growth rate of national flexible packaging market reached eight per cent and exceeds that of world at four point three percent. The main underlying force behind the growth of packaging industry is vigorous economic growth, rapid urbanization and improvements in people's standard of living. Consumers 'demand is also shifting towards safer, more convenient and perhaps even eco-friendly packaging.

Consumers are now beginning to pay closer attention to the impact of packaging materials on both our environment and health. Therefore, businesses are focusing on the transformation of biodegradable plastic packaging.

The main reason demand for biodegradable polymers is growing so rapidly, however, lies with food and drink packaging. According to Interpak 2023, the total retail sales of food packaging in China amounted to just 447,066 million units for all of last year.

Moreover, China is a big producer of large amounts of plastics. Exported trade taps the revenue and packaging companies have abundant production capacities. According to the International Trade Center (ITC), total plastics and articles exports during 2021 reached nearlyUSD $ 36,948 million. In terms of annually comparable statistics for worldwide countries, this represents a rise of approximately one-third over last year's export value.

Soil warming, moisture retention and vegetation management The application of plastic film mulching in China's agricultural industry has been very important. The methodologies being drafted at this time include replacing polythene by biodegradable polymer films, mechanizing the recycling of residue technology and raising standards for plastic film applications. The nation's agricultural supply depends upon this biodegradable plastic film mulching technology. It has already led to 20 –50 % increases in grain crop yields.

For these reasons, it is expected that the market for biodegradable polymers in China will grow over this period as a result of developments within end-user industries.

Top Key Players

• BASF (Germany)
• NatureWorks (US)
• Total Corbion (Netherlands)
• Novamont (Italy)
• Biome Bioplastics (UK)
• Mitsubishi Chemical Holding Corporation (Japan)
• Toray Industries (Japan)
• Plantic Technologies (Australia)
• Danimer Scientific (US)
• Fkur Kunstsoff (Germany)

Key Industry Developments in the Biodegradable Polymers Market

• In April 2019, NatureWorks and coffee handling firm IMA Coffee agreed to a strategic partnership. The objective of this partnership is to increase the proportion of North American consumers who purchase compostable K-cups of superior quality.
• In February of 2020 a joint venture was formed between BASF and Fabbri Group (Italy) with the goal being to develop an environmentally friendly substitute for cling film, which is used in packages of perishable foods. This is how meat, seafood and packaged fresh fruits or vegetables are produced. It is hoped that the Fabbri group's use of BASF ’ s Ecovio bioplastic in its production expanding markets for biodegradable plastics used in packaging.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction Of Global Biodegradable Polymers 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 Polymers 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 Polymers Market, By Type
   1. Overview
   2. PLA
   3. Starch Blends
   4. PHA
   5. Biodegradable Polyesters
      1. PCL
      2. PBAT
      3. PBS
      4. Others
   6. Regenerative Cellulose
   7. Cellulose Derivative
6. Global Biodegradable Polymers Market, By End User Industry
   1. Overview
   2. Packaging
      1. Rigid Packaging
      2. Flexible Packaging
   3. Consumer Goods
      1. Electrical Appliances
      2. Domestic Appliances
      3. Others
   4. Textiles
      1. Medical & Healthcare Textile
      2. Personal care, clothes, and other textiles
   5. Agriculture & Horticulture
      1. Tapes & Mulch Films
      2. Others
   6. Others
7. Global Biodegradable Polymers 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. BASF (Germany)
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   2. NatureWorks (US)
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   3. Total Corbion (Netherlands)
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   4. Novamont (Italy)
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   5. Biome Bioplastics (UK)
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   6. Mitsubishi Chemical Holding Corporation (Japan)
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   7. Toray Industries (Japan)
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   8. Plantic Technologies (Australia)
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   9. Danimer Scientific (US)
      1. Company Overview
      2. Key Executives
      3. Operating Business Segments
      4. Product Portfolio
      5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
      6. Key News
   10. Fkur Kunstsoff (Germany)
       1. Company Overview
       2. Key Executives
       3. Operating Business Segments
       4. Product Portfolio
       5. Financial Performance (As per availability)
       6. Key News

Global Biodegradable Polymers Market Segmentation

Biodegradable Polymers by type: Market Size & Forecast 2024-2032

• PLA
• Starch Blends
• PHA
• Biodegradable Polyesters

• • PCL
  • PBAT
  • PBS
• Others

• Regenerative Cellulose
• Cellulose Derivative

Biodegradable Polymers by end-use industry: Market Size & Forecast 2024-2032

• Packaging
• Rigid Packaging
• Flexible Packaging
• Consumer Goods
• Electrical Appliances
• Domestic Appliances
• Others
• Textiles
• Medical & Healthcare Textile
• Personal care, clothes, and other textiles
• Agriculture & Horticulture
• Tapes & Mulch Films
• Others

Others

Biodegradable Polymers 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:

• BASF (Germany)
• NatureWorks (US)
• Total Corbion (Netherlands)
• Novamont (Italy)
• Biome Bioplastics (UK)
• Mitsubishi Chemical Holding Corporation (Japan)
• Toray Industries (Japan)
• Plantic Technologies (Australia)
• Danimer Scientific (US)
• Fkur Kunstsoff (Germany)