Biodegradable Plastics Market Size, Share, By Product (Starch-based Plastics, Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), Cellulose-based Plastics, and Others), By Application (Packaging, Agriculture, Textiles, Consumer Goods, and Other Applications), By End-Use Industry (Food and Beverage, Retail, Agriculture, Healthcare, and Others), and By Region - Trends, Analysis and Forecast till 2034

Biodegradable Plastics Market Size was valued at USD 5.9 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 13.4 Billion by 2034 growing at a CAGR of 9.4%

Biodegradable plastics are those that microorganisms can decompose into water, carbon dioxide (or methane), and biomass under specific conditions. Universal criteria have been implemented to help customers make decisions and have confidence in the biodegradability of plastics, new materials have been developed, and a compostable mark has been introduced. Biodegradable plastics have a wide range of applications. They can be foamed into packing materials, extruded, and injection molded using modified standard equipment. The technique is compatible with various fillers, including wood flour, lime, clay, and waste paper. The fillers can be dyed and employed across multiple granulation sizes to alter the material's exterior look. The substance can be co-injected with other plastic materials such as LDPE, PP, and HDPE. The co-injection procedure creates a thin layer of plastic material on top of the biodegradable plastic. This results in a wholly biodegradable object that is less expensive than regular plastic materials, fully waterproof, and colored to match conventional plastic materials. There are two types of biodegradable plastics: bioplastics, which contain components and applications from renewable basic materials. Plastics are created from petrochemicals and biodegradable additives that aid in biodegradation.

Different biodegradable polymers decompose only under specific and tested settings (e.g., in soil and wastewater treatment plants), although most require industrial composting facilities. They may biodegrade in an open environment, but the rate at which this occurs varies, and relevant test procedures and standards need to be more well-defined and widely accepted.

Disclaimer: This data is only a representation. Actual data may vary and will be available in the report.

Key Drivers of Target Market:

Environmental Problems

• One considerable driving force, however, has to do with public awareness regarding plastic pollution in landfills and bodies of water: biodegradable plastics. While traditional plastics will likely linger there for hundreds of years, biodegradable plastics are broken down into harmless elements under certain predefined conditions. As consumers demand greener packaging options, biodegradable plastics offer a distinctly feasible alternative to traditional plastic packaging to help constitute a striving circular economy. Biodegradable plastics derived from renewable resources—either plant starches or biomass—are much more sustainable compared to plastics derived from fossil fuels

Economic Advantages:

• The cost of biodegradable plastics continues to fall as technology advances and production increases, making them far more competitive than traditional plastics. Businesses could capitalize on this by applying biodegradable plastics to improve their brand image with such consumers. In due course, biodegradable plastics should be able to lessen the costs of waste management related to conventional plastic wastes, especially in those areas where landfills are rapidly filling up or adequate recycling facilities are lacking.

Restrains:

Limited Availability and Functionality:

• The performance and functionality of biodegradable plastics do not always match conventional plastics. This will, therefore, cut down their applicability in some areas. Some biodegradable plastics may need more strength or durability than conventional plastics; hence, they cannot be applied in several heavy-duty applications. Biodegradable plastics show low barrier properties compared to traditional plastics, which lowers their performance in protecting contents from different agents like moisture, oxygen, or grease.

Opportunities:

Expanding Applications:

• Shortly, when bioplastics become cost-competitive and more functional, new application areas will open up apart from the prevalent ones in packaging and agriculture. Biodegradable fibers can revolutionize the fashion industry with sustainable clothing. Many more products, from electronics to toys, can be made with biodegradable raw materials. A broader reach of biodegradable components will define lighter vehicles and more sustainable building practices.

The market is segmented based on Product, Application, End-Use Industry, and Region.

Product Insights:

• Starch-based Plastics: Starch-based plastics are the largest segment of the biodegradable plastics market and are produced from renewable resources such as corn starch, tapioca starch, and potato starch. One important application area of starch blends is packaging, disposable tableware, and agricultural films. Therefore, the biodegradability aspect of the starch blend depends on the plasticizer used. Biodegradable starch blends include starch/polylactic acid, starch/polycaprolactone, and starch/polybutylene-adipate-co-terephthalate.
• Polylactic Acid (PLA): Made from fermented plant starches, PLA is a versatile bioplastic with good strength and clarity. Applications include food packaging, bottles, and 3D printing filaments. In 2010, PLA had the second-highest consumption volume of bioplastic globally.
• Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): PHAs are produced by bacteria from renewable feedstocks and show high biodegradability. They are used in a wide range of applications, from medical devices and agricultural mulch to food packaging. Cenizas and Lopez-Garcia balanced the biosynthesis of PHA by creating a lack of some nutrients—for example, macro elements like phosphorus, nitrogen, or oxygen—while oversupplying carbon sources to the organisms.
• Cellulose-based Plastics: These bioplastics, derived from wood pulp or other sources of cellulose, show good mechanical properties and moisture barrier characteristics. Herein, they can find applications as packaging materials, textiles, and composite materials.
• Others: Other biodegradable plastics include those derived from renewable resources, such as algae, soy protein, and biobased PEF.

Application Insights:

• Packaging: The largest application segment corresponds to packaging, which includes films, bags, bottles, and containers for foods, beverages, and consumer goods. Since traditionally used plastic packaging takes several hundred years to decompose and causes plastic pollution in landfills and oceans, biodegradable plastics will present a much better alternative. Biodegradable plastic packaging can help reduce such waste and engender a circular economy for the materials used in packaging.
• Agriculture: Biodegradable plastics have many applications in agriculture. Biodegradable films are used for greenhouses, tunnels, and row covers that protect crops from pests and diseases and act as a barrier in terrible weather. They may also enhance growth rate and yield. Biodegradable mulch films inhibit the growth of weeds, retain soil moisture, and control soil temperature. This may lead to improved yields with less water utilized.
• Textiles: PLA and other bioplastics are employed as biodegradable fibers in various textile applications. Biodegradable clothing has recently gained much interest as a more sustainable fashion alternative in consumers' lives. Biodegradable fibers are used to manufacture garments ranging from T-shirts and sportswear to various dresses and outerwear. Biodegradable non-woven fabrics are utilized in several applications, including disposable wipes, filters, and medical supplies.
• Consumer Goods: Biodegradable plastics find several applications in consumer goods. Biodegradable plates, cups, cutlery, and straws are a more sustainable alternative to traditional disposable tableware from conventional plastics. The pens are designed from PLA or any other bio-based material. They offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastic pens. Biodegradable toys become increasingly popular as parents start to look for more eco-friendly alternatives for their kids. Biodegradable plastics would be able to create everything from building blocks to action figures, dolls, and cars.
• Other Applications: They are also used in several other fields. Biodegradable plastics have been used to quite a large extent in many medical devices, from simple sutures to surgical mesh and more complex drug delivery devices. This can help reduce medical waste and provide better safety to patients. Biodegradable plastics are used in various parts of automobiles, from interior parts to under-the-hood components, which may help lighten the overall weight of vehicles and increase fuel efficiency.

End-Use Industry Insights:

• Food and Beverage is the largest and fastest-growing segment, driven by consumer demand for sustainable packaging solutions. Biodegradable options apply in films and wraps, bottles and containers, cups in disposable tableware plates, and cutlery trays for fruit and vegetable containers for takeaway food.
• Retail: Retailers are increasingly coming up with biodegradable options to replace their packaging materials and plethora of plastic products for their "green" customers. These include items such as shopping bags and packaging materials for various products.
• Agriculture: Biodegradable plastics contribute significantly to sustainable agriculture. Some typical uses include mulch films for weed control, soil moisture retention, and temperature control; agricultural films used in greenhouses and tunnels; seed dressings, which improve germination and offer protection against pests; and bale wrapping techniques for storing and transporting crops.
• Healthcare: Biodegradable plastics confer many benefits in the medical field since they are biocompatible and degrade safely. Applications include sutures and surgical mesh, drug-delivery devices, and implantable devices that degrade at a controlled rate.
• Others: This segment is comprised of many heterogeneous uses in various industries—biodegradable fibers for clothing, non-woven fabrics, and disposable wipes. Pens, toys, and other disposable products are made from biodegradable raw materials. Interior components and under-the-bonnet components are made from bioplastics for weight reduction.

Regional Insights

• North America: This marks the most significant and fastest-growing market, driven by ambitious renewable energy targets, government support policies, and the increasing population's major force massive investments in biodegradable plastics production.
• Asia Pacific: This marks the largest and fastest-growing market, driven by ambitious renewable energy targets and government support policies, coupled with increasing population’s major force massive investments in biodegradable plastics production.
• Europe: Significant market with a strategic focus on environmental sustainability and advancement of the circular economy. Germany is a leading country with well-established and government-supported, substantial biodegradable plastics development.
• Latin America: An emerging market with a fast-growing demand for renewable energies and grid infrastructure investments. The leading countries in this respect within LA are Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, with their increasing adoption of energy storage solutions.
• Middle East and Africa: This is a nascent market driven by growing interest as countries work toward diversifying their energy mix and grid reliability. The United Arab Emirates and South Africa have proven pioneers in exploring and engaging with energy storage solutions.

Biodegradable Plastics Market Report Scope:

Segments Covered in the Report:

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2024 to 2034. For the purpose of this study segmented the target market report based on Product, Application, End-Use Industry, and Region.

Segmentation:

By Product:

• Starch-based Plastics

• Polylactic Acid (PLA)
• Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)
• Cellulose-based Plastics
• Others

By Application:

• Packaging
• Agriculture
• Textiles
• Consumer Goods
• Other Applications

By End-Use Industry:

• Food and Beverage
• Retail
• Agriculture
• Healthcare
• Others

By Region:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Russia
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • Israel
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

The key players operating the Biodegradable Plastics Market include Cargill Incorporated, PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd., Biome Technologies plc, Plantic Technologies Limited, BASF SE, Total Corbion PLA, NatureWorks LLC, Eastman Chemical Company, Trineso, Danimer Scientific, Novamont, Metabolix, and FKUR Kunst Stoff GmbH.

Disclaimer: This data is only a representation. Actual data may vary and will be available in the report.

• In December 2023, Sulzer launched a novel biodegradable polymer for bioplastics. Sulzer, a Swiss technology company, is expanding its bioplastics portfolio with the introduction of CAPSULTM, a new end-to-end licensed technology for the continuous production of polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polyester widely used in the packaging, textile, agricultural, and horticultural industries. Consumer packaging, 3D printing, footwear, agricultural films, textiles, and medical devices are among the most common applications for high-quality PCL.
• In September 2023, Russian scientists created new biodegradable plastic. Scientists from the Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS) created a biodegradable polymer from polystyrene (an amorphous thermoplastic material) and alpha-angelica-lactone, an organic compound found in certain plants. The new polymer may degrade fully in forest soil in seven months. The study's findings were published in the Siberian Federal University Journal.

• Cargill Incorporated
• PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd.
• Biome Technologies plc
• Plantic Technologies Limited
• BASF SE
• Total Corbion PLA
• NatureWorks LLC
• Eastman Chemical Company
• Trineso
• Danimer Scientific
• Novamont
• Metabolix
• FKUR Kunststoff GmbH