Bioplastics - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The Bioplastics Market size is estimated at 2.09 Million tons in 2024, and is expected to reach 4.63 Million tons by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 17.25% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, nationwide lockdowns around the globe disrupted manufacturing activities and supply chains, and production halts impacted the market in 2020. However, the conditions started recovering in 2021, restoring the market's growth trajectory during the forecast period.

Key Highlights

• A significant factor driving the market studied is the environmental issues encouraging a paradigm shift to promote bioplastics. Additionally, the growing demand for packaging will likely favor the market's growth.
• However, the cheaper alternatives availability is likely to hamper the market's growth.
• Growing use in the electronics industry will likely provide new growth opportunities for the market.
• Europe accounts for the highest market share and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.

Bioplastics Market Trends

Flexible Packaging is Expected to Dominate the Market

• Bioplastics are used in flexible packaging as they are not harmful to nature and are easily degradable.
• They are used in packaging films for food items, medicines, beverage bottles, and packaging films. It is also used in packaging non-food products, such as napkins and tissues, toilet paper, nappies, sanitary towels, cardboard and coat paper for food wrapping paper, and coated cardboard to make cups and plates. Moreover, they are used in flexible and loose-fill packaging.
• Bioplastics made of cornstarch have applications in flexible and loose-fill packaging.
• Polylactic acid (PLA) is used mainly in packaging food items, while bio polyethylene terephthalate (PET), bio polyethylene, and bio polypropylene are majorly used as packaging films.
• According to Packmedia, in 2021, the world market for flexible converter packaging was estimated at USD 102 billion, up 8% from the previous year.
• According to Packmedia, the United States and Central and East Asia each share 28% of the market. At the European level, growth is around +6.4% for sales and +1.6% in volume. Growth prospects for 2022, again at the European level, are 2.9% and 2%, respectively.
• The global packaging industry is growing. Asia-Pacific includes the most significant manufacturing capacity for bioplastics, i.e., 45%. Moreover, the increasing awareness among consumers and the government's strict ban in countries like China, India, and Japan have promoted bioplastic consumption in the region.
• Thus, the abovementioned factors are expected to impact the market during the forecast period positively.

Europe to Dominate the Market

• Europe dominated the overall bioplastics market, with most of the demand coming from Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
• Germany's food and beverage industry are characterized by its small and medium-sized enterprise sector of over 6,000 companies. The revenue in the food and beverage market was estimated at USD 3,222 million in 2021. The market is expected to grow annually by 6.83% during the forecast period, driving the country's flexible and rigid packaging industry and bioplastic consumption.
• According to the Federal Statistical Office, the Gross domestic product (GDP) from agriculture in Germany increased to EUR 7.64 billion (~USD 8.88 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2021 from EUR 7.41 billion (~USD 8.61 billion) in the third quarter of 2021.
• France is home to the largest agricultural sector in Europe. It is among the top producers in the global agriculture market and produces sugar beets, wine, milk, beef and veal, cereals, and oilseeds. However, the country experienced severe droughts. According to France's main agricultural trade union, FNSEA, 14,000 farms out of 440,000 filed compensation claims following the extreme heat and lack of rain that ravaged France during the spring and summer.
• In 2021, France produced about 13,51,308 units of vehicles, which increased by 3% in comparison to 2020.
• Italy's packaging industry is one of the largest in the world. There are nearly 7,000 significant and minor packaging companies active in the country. The growing importance of supermarket retailing and the changing consumer purchasing habits are increasing the packaging demand in the country. Besides, exports are adding to the need for packaging materials.
• The total production of automobiles in the first three quarters of 2021, Italy's automotive production increased by 20% over Q1-Q3 of 2020 and reached 600,586 vehicles. Moreover, the overall vehicle production in 2021 came to about 795,856 units, which increased by 2% compared to 2020, with a volume of about 777,165. The growing popularity of electric vehicles is expected to support the overall industry growth in the upcoming future.
• The United Kingdom is the fourth-largest consumer of plastics in Europe. The country is identified as one of the most innovative and advanced countries in terms of developing advanced and modified plastics. However, the country is focusing on bioplastics due to the increasing awareness about the environmental impact of petroleum-based non-biodegradable plastics.
• The United Kingdom is the largest European market for high-end consumer electronics products, with about 18,000 UK-based electronics companies. According to the Department for International Trade, the electronics sector in the United Kingdom is worth around GBP 16 billion (~USD 21.86 billion) yearly to the local economy.
• Hence, the market scenario in the region is expected to boost the demand for bioplastics throughout the forecast period.

Bioplastics Industry Overview

The bioplastics market is fragmented. Some of the key players in the market (not in any particular order) include Braskem, Novamont SpA, NatureWorks LLC, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, and Total Corbion PLA.

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