Description
The Bioplastics Market Report is now also available in parts (e.g. individual country profiles or all manufacturer profiles). Please feel free to contact us and we will immediately send you an offer for your specific selection.
For some time now, bioplastics have been used for more than just garbage bags or mulch films: Biopolymers are increasingly found in durable high-performance products, for example in demanding automotive applications, casings for the electronics industry or materials for the construction industry. Biodegradability is often an advantage, for example for packaging films, disposable tableware or medical implants. By now, however, “bio” versions are available for virtually all types and applications of plastics. Polylactic acid (PLA), for example, is the primary material used for 3D printing. According to the latest edition of the Ceresana report on bioplastics, the global market for “green” polymers will continue to grow dynamically: the analysts expect bioplastics sales to rise to around USD 9.7 billion by 2031.
Renewable and Compostable Plastics
Climate protection, independence from crude oil and natural gas, environmentally friendly products and new opportunities for agriculture – bioplastics are associated with great hopes. Nevertheless, there is also a great deal of confusion surrounding these materials, as there is currently no generally recognized definition of bioplastics and no uniform labeling. The current Ceresana study looks at two material groups that can overlap but do not always have to be identical
- biodegradable plastics that can be decomposed by microorganisms in the wild or at least composted in industrial plants,
- bio-based plastics produced from renewable raw materials.
Some bioplastics meet both conditions: PHA from sugar and TPS from starch, for instance, are bio-based and biodegradable. However, there are also plastics made from biogenic raw materials that are not compostable, for example PEF from fructose or bio-polyethylene based on sugar cane. In contrast, some petrochemical plastics, i.e., plastics produced from crude oil or natural gas, can be biodegradable, such as PCL, PBAT or PBS. The focus of this study is on biodegradable thermoplastics made from renewable raw materials. However, individual fully synthetic, biodegradable fossil-based plastics are also covered. By contrast, biobased elastomers, thermosets, natural fiber-reinforced plastics (NFK), and composites such as wood-plastic composites (WPC) are not considered here.
Green Polymers for the Circular Economy
Plastics and packaging play a major role in the “Circular Economy Action Plan” published by the European Union as part of its “Green Deal” to overcome the throwaway society and reduce waste. The EU Commission is working on a new policy framework on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics. This should clearly define what is meant by bioplastics and how they are to be disposed of. The project is rendered more complicated by the fact that biomass components are also increasingly being added to fossil plastics in order to reduce their carbon footprint. So far, it has not been defined at what proportion of renewable raw materials a “bio-attributed” or “mass-balanced” polymer blend may be marketed as a bioplastic. Plastics obtained with the help of genetically modified organisms are also controversial. In any case, the EU Commission wants to avoid greenwashing: Bio-based plastics should only be used if they offer “genuine ecological advantages” over fossil plastics and do not compete with food production, for example.
Highest Growth Rate for Polylactic Acids and Starch
Biodegradable plastics, for example polylactic acids (PLA) and starch polymers, reached a market share of 65% of the total bioplastics market in 2021. For this product group, Ceresana expects further volume growth of 10.4% per year until 2031. For biobased plastics that are not biodegradable, such as polyethylene, PET or PA, growth is expected to be lower at 7.5% per year. Ceresana’s latest market report analyzes how the use of bioplastics is developing in the various sales markets. The most important application area in 2021 was the packaging industry: 58% of all bioplastics were processed in this area. Ceresana expects the highest growth rate in the “bags and sacks” segment.
The Study in Brief:
Chapter 1 of the study provides a comprehensive portrayal and analysis of the global bioplastics market – including forecasts up to 2031: for each region, the development of demand (tonnes), revenue (USD and EUR) and production (tonnes) is outlined.
In addition, the individual application areas of bioplastics are analyzed:
- rigid packaging
- flexible packaging (bags, sacks puches and other packaging)
- consumer goods
- automotive and electronics
- other applications
For the regions Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and “Rest of the World”, the production of bioplastics is divided into the product groups:
- Polylactic acid (PLA)
- Starch
- other biodegradable plastics
- non-biodegradable plastics
Bioplastics demand per region is broken down for the different types of plastics:
- Polylactic acid (PLA)
- Starch
- Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)
- Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)
- Other biodegradable plastics
- Bio-polyethylene (PE)
- Other non-biodegradable plastics
In Chapter 2, the 8 most important sales countries are considered individually: Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, the USA, China, and Japan. The following are presented in each case: Demand and revenue, demand for each application area and demand per product type (PLA, starch-based, other biodegradable plastics, non-biodegradable biobased plastics).
Chapter 3 provides useful company profiles of the most important bioplastics manufacturers, clearly arranged according to contact details, revenues, profits, product range, production sites and brief profile. Detailed profiles are provided by 94 manufacturers, e.g. BASF SE, Braskem S.A., Far Eastern New Century Corporation (FENC), NatureWorks LLC, Novamont S.p.A., Rodenburg Biopolymers B.V., Total Corbion PLA BV, and Vegeplast S.A.S.
Scope of the Report:
Attributes | Details |
| Base Year | 2021 |
| Trend Period | 2019 – 2031 |
| Forecast Period | 2022 – 2031 |
| Pages | 300 |
| Application Areas | Rigid packaging, Flexible Packaging (Bags, Sacks, Pouches and Other Packaging), Consumer Goods, Automotive and Electronics, and Other Applications |
| Product Groups | Polylactic acid (PLA), Starch, Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT), Other Biodegradable Plastics, Bio-Polyethylene (PE), and Other Non-Biodegradable Plastics |
| Company Profiles | BASF, Braskem, Far FENC, NatureWorks, Novamont, Rodenburg, Total Corbion, and Vegeplast (Selection) |
| Edition | 7th edition |
| Publication | October 2022 |
FAQs
How will bioplastics sales develop by 2031?
Analysts expect revenues generated with bioplastics to rise to approx. USD 9.7 billion by 2031.
Which product groups have the highest market share in the bioplastics market?
Biodegradable plastics, for example polylactic acids (PLA) and starch polymers, reached 65% of the total bioplastics market share in 2021.
Which plastic types are not considered in this market study?
Fossil-based fiber-reinforced plastics, elastomers, thermosets, and wood-plastic composites (WPC) are not considered in this market study.
Which is the most important sales market for bioplastics?
The most important sales sector for bioplastics in 2021 was the packaging industry – almost 58% of all bioplastics were processed here.
1 Market Data: World and Regions
1.1 World
1.1.1 Demand
1.1.2 Revenues
1.1.3 Production
1.1.4 Demand Split by Application Areas
1.1.4.1 Rigid Packaging
1.1.4.2 Flexible Packaging – Bags
1.1.4.3 Flexible Packaging – Others
1.1.4.4 Consumer Goods
1.1.4.5 Automotive & Electronics
1.1.4.6 Other Applications
1.1.5 Demand Split by Products
1.1.5.1 Polylactic Acid (PLA)
1.1.5.2 Starch-Based Plastics
1.1.5.3 Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)
1.1.5.4 Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)
1.1.5.5 Other Biodegradable Plastics
1.1.5.6 Bio-Polyethylene (Bio-PE)
1.1.5.7 Other Non-Biodegradable Plastics
1.2 Europe
1.2.1 Demand
1.2.2 Revenues
1.2.3 Production
1.2.4 Applications and Products
1.3 North America
1.3.1 Demand
1.3.2 Revenues
1.3.3 Production
1.3.4 Applications and Products
1.4 Asia-Pacific
1.4.1 Demand
1.4.2 Revenues
1.4.3 Production
1.4.4 Applications and Products
1.5 Rest of the World
1.5.1 Demand
1.5.2 Revenues
1.5.3 Production
1.5.4 Applications and Products
2 Market Data: Countries
2.1 Europe
2.1.1 France
2.1.2 Germany
2.1.3 Italy
2.1.4 Spain
2.1.5 United Kingdom
2.1.6 Rest of Europe
2.2 North America
2.2.1 Canada and Mexico
2.2.2 USA
2.3 Asia-Pacific
2.3.1 China
2.3.2 Japan
2.3.3 Other Asia-Pacific
3 Company Profiles*
3.1 Western Europe
Austria (2 Producers)
Belgium (2)
Finland (2)
France (3)
Germany (6)
Italy (6)
Norway (1)
Spain (3)
Sweden (1)
Switzerland (2)
The Netherlands (5)
United Kingdom (1)
3.2 Eastern Europe
Czechia (1)
Turkey (1)
3.3 North America
Canada (1)
Mexico (1)
USA (12)
3.4 South America
Brazil (1)
3.5 Asia-Pacific
Australia (2)
China (21)
Japan (10)
Singapore (1)
South Korea (5)
Taiwan (3)
Thailand (1)
*Note: The profiles are assigned to the country in which the company or holding is headquartered. Profiles also include JVs and subsidiaries.
Graph 1: Global demand from 2019 to 2031
Graph 2: Global demand from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 3: Global revenues from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Graph 4: Global production from 2019 to 2031
Graph 5: Global demand for from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Graph 6: Global demand in the segment rigid packaging from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 7: Global demand in the segment flexible packaging – bags from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 8: Global demand in the segment flexible packaging – others from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 9: Global demand in the segment consumer goods from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 10: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment automotive & electronics from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 11: Global demand for bioplastics in other applications from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 12: Global demand for polylactic acid from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 13: Global demand for starch-based plastics from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 14: Global demand for polyhydroxyalkanoates from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 15: Global demand for polybutylene adipate terephthalate from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 16: Global demand for other biodegradable plastics from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 17: Global demand for bio-polyethylene from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 18: Global demand for other non-biodegradable plastics from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Graph 19: Demand in Europe from 2019 to 2031
Graph 20: Revenues generated in Europe from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Graph 21: Production in Europe from 2019 to 2031
Graph 22: Demand in Europe from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Graph 23: Demand in North America from 2019 to 2031
Graph 24: Revenues generated in North America from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Graph 25: Production in North America from 2019 to 2031
Graph 26: Demand in North America from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Graph 27: Demand in Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031
Graph 28: Revenues generated in Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Graph 29: Production in Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031
Graph 30: Demand in Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Graph 31: Global demand from 2019 to 2031
Graph 32: Revenues generated in the rest of the world from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Graph 33: Production in the rest of the world from 2019 to 2031
Graph 34: Demand in the rest of the world from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Graph 35: Demand in France from 2019 to 2031
Graph 36: Demand in Germany from 2019 to 2031
Graph 37: Demand in Italy from 2019 to 2031
Graph 38: Demand for plastics in Spain from 2019 to 2031
Graph 39: Demand in the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2031
Graph 40: Demand in the rest of Europe from 2019 to 2031
Graph 41: Demand in Canada and Mexico from 2019 to 2031
Graph 42: Demand in the USA from 2019 to 2031
Graph 43: Demand in China from 2019 to 2031
Graph 44: Demand in Japan from 2019 to 2031
Graph 45: Demand in the remaining countries of Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031
Table 1: Global demand from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 2: Global revenues from 2019 to 2031 in million USD – split by regions
Table 3: Global revenues from 2019 to 2031 in million EUR – split by regions
Table 4: Global production from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 5: Global demand from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 6: Global demand in the segment rigid packaging from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 7: Global demand in the segment flexible packaging – bags from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 8: Global demand in the segment flexible packaging – others from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 9: Global demand in the segment consumer goods from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 10: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment automotive & electronics from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 11: Global demand for bioplastics in other applications from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 12: Global demand for bioplastics from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 13: Global demand for polylactic acid from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 14: Global demand for starch-based plastics from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 15: Global demand for polyhydroxyalkanoates from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 16: Global demand for polybutylene adipate terephthalate from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 17: Global demand for other biodegradable plastics from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 18: Global demand for bio-polyethylene from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 19: Global demand for other non-biodegradable plastics from 2019 to 2031 – split by regions
Table 20: Demand in Europe from 2019 to 2031 – split by major countries
Table 21: Revenues generated in Europe from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 22: Production in Europe from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 23: Demand in Europe from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 24: Demand in Europe from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 25: Demand in North America from 2019 to 2031 – split by major countries
Table 26: Revenues generated in North America from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 27: Production in North America from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 28: Demand in North America from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 29: Demand in North America from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 30: Demand in Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031 – split by major countries
Table 31: Revenues generated in Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 32: Production in Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 33: Demand in Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 34: Demand in Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 35: Revenues generated in the rest of the world from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 36: Production in the rest of the world from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 37: Demand in the rest of the world from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 38: Demand for bioplastics in the rest of the world from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 39: Revenues generated in France from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 40: Demand in France from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 41: Demand in France from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 42: Revenues generated in Germany from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 43: Demand in Germany from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 44: Demand in Germany from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 45: Revenues generated in Italy from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 46: Demand in Italy from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 47: Demand in Italy from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 48: Revenues generated in Spain from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 49: Demand in Spain from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 50: Demand in Spain from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 51: Revenues generated in the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 52: Demand in the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 53: Demand in the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 54: Revenues generated in the remaining countries of Europe from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 55: Demand in the remaining European countries from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 56: Demand in the rest of Europe from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 57: Revenues generated in Canada and Mexico from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 58: Demand in Canada and Mexico from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 59: Demand in Canada and Mexico from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 60: Revenues generated in the USA from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 61: Demand in the USA from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 62: Demand in the USA from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 63: Revenues generated in China from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 64: Demand in China from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 65: Demand in China from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 66: Revenues generated in Japan from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 67: Demand in Japan from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 68: Demand in Japan from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
Table 69: Revenues generated in the remaining countries of Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031 in million USD and million EUR
Table 70: Demand in the remaining countries of Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031 – split by applications
Table 71: Demand in the remaining countries of Asia-Pacific from 2019 to 2031 – split by products
