Bioplastics are still on a roll. Consumers are increasingly aware of the nature of the products they buy, and more and more of them are committed to protecting the environment. The transition to a low-carbon, circular economy, and the bioeconomy, which is receiving greater political support, are all factors driving growth of around 20% in the bioplastics market over the next five years. According to the latest forecasts, it will reach 2.44 million tonnes in 2022.
Versatile bioplastics
Polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA ) are two of the most popular plastics derived from renewable and biodegradable resources. PLA is highly versatile, and can be used for a wide range of applications in the medical and packaging sectors, thanks in particular to its barrier properties. As PHAs are a varied family of polymers, it is possible to obtain very different mechanical and physical properties depending on their chemical composition. While PHA production capacity is expected to increase by a factor of 1.5 by 2022, PHA production capacity will increase by a factor of 3.
In terms of non-biodegradable polymers, biobased PE, PET and PA currently account for 50% of the biomass polymer market, or around one million tonnes produced. While the growth of biobased PE seems set to continue at the same pace, that of biobased PET is set to slow in favor of polyethylene furanoate (PEF). PEF is a new material with similar properties to PET, but with the advantage of being 100% derived from renewable resources, and offering better barrier and thermal properties. Currently in the final stages of development, its arrival on the market is scheduled for 2020.
Bioplastics for every application
Biopolymers can be found in many sectors, includingpackaging, textiles, automotive and transport, consumer goods, agriculture and horticulture. Packaging was the sector with the highest market share in 2017, at almost 60%, and this trend is set to continue over the next five years. While Asia still accounts for more than 50% of the world’s biobased plastics production capacity, Europe is set to expand its bioplastics industry and, thanks in particular to a transition to a circular economy, increase its production capacity from 18% to 25%.
Contrary to popular belief, the land on which resources for bioplastics are cultivated is not in competition with arable land. In fact, only 0.02% of land is used to produce raw materials for biobased polymers, compared with 67% for pastureland and 25% for farmland. The growth of bioplastics will not increase the amount of land needed for their production. What’s more, with the use of second- and third-generation biomass currently being industrialized, raw materials derived from wood, micro-algae or waste will require less and less land for their production.
Source: European Bioplastics