Global Markets and Technologies for Bioplastics

Report Highlights

The global bioplastics market should reach 2.7 million metric tons by 2023 from 1.6 million metric tons in 2018 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7% for the period 2018-2023.

Report Includes

• 40 data tables and 16 additional tables
• An overview of the global market for bioplastics
• Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2016 to 2018, and projections of CAGRs through 2023
• Identification of trends that will affect the use of bioplastics and their major end-use application
• Information on specific end markets for bioplastics by material types, with sections devoted to each type of renewably sourced plastic
• Analyses of market developments regarding major applications for bioplastics, including packaging, automotive, electrical/electronic, medical, building and construction
• Comprehensive company profiles of major players in the market including Arkema, BASF, Dow Plastics, Huhtamaki, Myriant, Plantic Technologies Ltd., Synbra Technology and ZeaChem Inc.

Report Scope

The focus of this report is on plastics made from renewable resources such as biomass or food crops. There is also some potential development of bioplastics from animal resources. Plastics that could be produced from waste CO₂ are also reviewed because of their potential impact on bioplastics, but their data are not included in the forecasts presented here. Bioplastics are further defined here as polymer materials that are produced by chemically or biologically synthesizing materials that contain renewable organic materials. Natural organic materials that are not chemically modified (e.g., wood composites are excluded). The report includes the use of renewable resources to create monomers that replace petroleum-based monomers such as feedstocks produced from sugarcane that are used to manufacture polyester and polyethylene. Ethanol, a major product in Brazil, is one small chemical step from ethylene.

The report focuses on the following resin chemistries:

• Polylactic acid.
• Thermoplastic starch.
• Biopolyamides (nylons).
• Polyhydroxyalkanoates.
• Biopolyols/polyurethane.
• Cellulosics.
• Biopolytrimethylene terephthalate.
• Biopolyethylene.
• Biopolyethylene terephthalate.
• Polybutylene succinate.

Biodegradable and photodegradable polymers made from petrochemical feedstocks are not included. Other renewable resin chemistries such as collagen and chitosan are covered but in less detail as their roles are not well developed.

Estimated values used are based on manufacturers’ total revenues. Projected and forecasted revenue values are in constant US dollars (2017) unadjusted for inflation.

Analyst Credentials

Jason Chen has been an analyst and consultant for the polymer, composite, fiber, textile and energy industries for 18 years. He works as a researcher, writer and/or editor for the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), China Textile Academy (CTA), China Chemical Fiber Association (CCFA), International Fiber Journal, Filtration News, Platts Emission Daily, Vision Systems Design, Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News and MobileTex. Currently he is the chief scientist of a company endeavoring to reduce China's air and water pollution. He has a degree in Civil Engineering, Chemicals and Advanced Materials from Shantou University.