This study is currently being completely revised. We plan to publish the 6th edition in July 2021.
Polylactic acids, starch blends, cellulose, and other bioplastics achieve significantly higher growth rates than conventional standard plastics. With this study, Ceresana has examined the world market for "green" polymers for the fifth time already. Bioplastics can be used in a growing number of application areas. Their future development is predicted to remain dynamic: this latest Ceresana report expects revenues generated with bioplastics to grow to around USD 4.4 billion by 2026.
Different types of “bio”
This study deals with two groups of materials that are called bioplastics, although they are not necessarily identical:
- Biodegradable plastics can be composted,
- Bio-based plastics are produced from renewable resources.
Fiber-reinforced plastics on a fossil basis, elastomers, duroplastics, and wood-plastic composites (WPC) are not covered by this study.
Biodegradable plastics, such as polylactic acids (PLA) and polymers on the basis of starch, reached a market share of 56% of the total market for bioplastics in 2018. Ceresana predicts further growth in volume of 7.1% per year up until 2026 for this product group. Growth regarding bio-based plastics, such as polyethylene, PET, or Polyamide which are not biodegradable, is expected to be weaker with 5.1% per year.
Packaging is the main application
This study analyzes the development of bioplastic usage in various sales markets. Demand is subdivided into the categories rigid packaging, flexible packaging (bags and sacks), other flexible packaging, consumer goods, automotive and electronics, and other applications. The most important sector for sales of bioplastics in 2018 was the packaging industry – more than 60% of bioplastics were processed in this sector. However, Ceresana expects the highest percentage increase in the future for the category automotive and electronics with 8.4% per year.
Manufacturers and processors of bioplastics are facing great challenges:
- Bioplastics need to be able to compete in terms of price with their fossil counterparts. Alternatively, they must offer added value in order to justify the price difference.
- The availability of bioplastics in high quality, their reliability, and volume must be guaranteed.
- Recycling/composting: bio-based plastics can be recycled as long as they have the same chemical structure as their fossil counterparts. However, this is primarily the case for bio-based products, such as bio-PE and bio-PET. Biodegradable plastics that do not have the same chemical structure are more difficult to handle. The respective recycling and composting infrastructure plays a crucial role here: problems arise when plants are not designed to separate bioplastics or when they are unable to biodegrade them.
- Sustainability: in order to form a positive assessment, it has to be clear how and whether a type of bioplastic offers advantages in comparison to other materials in terms of production (use of resources), use (longevity), and disposal (recycling/processing). It is then also decisive for image and market success whether these advantages are recognized and rewarded by consumers.
The study in brief:
Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive analysis of the global market for bioplastics – including forecasts until 2026: the development of demand (in tonnes), revenues (in USD and EUR), and production (in tonnes) is presented for each region.
Furthermore, individual application areas for bioplastics are examined. We differentiate between these categories:
- Rigid Packaging
- Flexible Packaging – Bags
- Flexible Packaging – Others
- Consumer Goods
- Automotive and Electronics
- Other Applications
Chapter 2 examines the eight most important countries for sales of bioplastics separately: Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, USA, China, and Japan. The following criteria are analyzed:
- Demand and revenues
- Demand within individual application areas
- Demand per product type:
- Polylactic Acid (PLA)
- Starch-based
- Other biodegradable plastics
- Non-biodegradable bio-based plastics
Chapter 3 provides useful company profiles of the most important manufacturers of bioplastics, clearly arranged according to contact information, revenues, profits, product range, production sites, and profile summary. In-depth profiles of 75 manufacturers are listed, including for example Agrana Beteiligungs-AG, BASF SE, Braskem S.A., Far Eastern New Century Corporation (FENC), NatureWorks LLC, Novamont S.p.A., Rodenburg Biopolymers BV, Solvay SA, Teijin Limited, and Vegeplast S.A.S.
1 Market Data: World and Regions
1.1 World
1.1.1 Demand
1.1.2 Revenues
1.1.3 Production
1.1.4 Applications
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 Products
1.1.5.1 Polylactic Acid (PLA)
1.1.5.2 Starch-Based Plastics
1.1.5.3 Other Biodegradable Plastics
1.1.5.4 Bio-Polyethylene (PE)
1.1.5.5 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 Western 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 & 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 Europe
Austria (1 producer)
Belgium (2)
Finland (2)
France (4)
Germany (8)
Italy (5)
Spain (2)
Sweden (1)
Switzerland (3)
The Netherlands (7)
United Kingdom (1)
3.2 North America
Canada (1)
USA (12)
3.3 South America
Brazil (1)
3.4 Asia-Pacific
Australia (2)
China (11)
Japan (5)
Malaysia (1)
South Korea (2)
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 for bioplastics from 2010 to 2026
Graph 2: Global demand for bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 3: Global revenues generated with bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Graph 4: Global revenues generated with bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 in million USD – split by regions
Graph 5: Global revenues generated with bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 in million EUR – split by regions
Graph 6: Global production of bioplastics from 2010 to 2026
Graph 7: Global production of bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 8: Global demand for bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Graph 9: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment rigid packaging from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 10: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment flexible packaging (bags) from 2010 to 2026 - split by regions
Graph 11: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment flexible packaging (other) from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 12: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment consumer goods from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 13: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment automotive & electronics from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 14: Global demand for bioplastics in other applications from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 15: Global demand for bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by products
Graph 16: Global demand for PLA from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 17: Global demand for starch-based plastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 18: Global demand for other biodegradable plastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 19: Global demand for bio-PE from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 20: Global demand for other non-biodegradable plastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Graph 21: Demand for bioplastics in Europe from 2010 to 2026
Graph 22: Revenues generated with bioplastics in Europe from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Graph 23: Production of bioplastics in Europe from 2010 to 2026
Graph 24: Demand for bioplastics in Europe from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Graph 25: Demand for bioplastics in North America from 2010 to 2026
Graph 26: Revenues generated with bioplastics in North America from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Graph 27: Production of bioplastics in North America from 2010 to 2026
Graph 28: Demand for bioplastics in North America from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Graph 29: Demand for bioplastics in Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026
Graph 30: Revenues generated with bioplastics in Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Graph 31: Production of bioplastics in Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026
Graph 32: Demand for bioplastics in Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Graph 33: Demand for bioplastics in the rest of the world from 2010 to 2026
Graph 34: Revenues generated with bioplastics in the rest of the world from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Graph 35: Production of bioplastics in the rest of the world from 2010 to 2026
Graph 36: Demand for bioplastics in the rest of the world from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Graph 37: Demand for bioplastics in France from 2010 to 2026
Graph 38: Demand for bioplastics in Germany from 2010 to 2026
Graph 39: Demand for bioplastics in Italy from 2010 to 2026
Graph 40: Demand for bioplastics in Spain from 2010 to 2026
Graph 41: Demand for bioplastics in the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2026
Graph 42: Demand for bioplastics in the remaining European countries from 2010 to 2026
Graph 43: Demand for bioplastics in Canada and Mexico from 2010 to 2026
Graph 44: Demand for bioplastics in the USA from 2010 to 2026
Graph 45: Demand for bioplastics in China from 2010 to 2026
Graph 46: Demand for bioplastics in Japan from 2010 to 2026
Graph 47: Demand for bioplastics in the remaining countries of Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026
Table 1: Global demand for bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Table 2: Global revenues generated with bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 in million USD – split by regions
Table 3: Global revenues generated with bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 in million EUR – split by regions
Table 4: Global production of bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Table 5: Global demand for bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 6: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment rigid packaging from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Table 7: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment flexible packaging (bags) from 2010 to 2026 - split by regions
Table 8: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment flexible packaging (other) from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Table 9: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment consumer goods from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Table 10: Global demand for bioplastics in the segment automotive & electronics from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Table 11: Global demand for bioplastics in other applications from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Table 12: Global demand for bioplastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by products
Table 13: Global demand for PLA from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Table 14: Global demand for starch-based plastics from 2010 to 2026 - split by regions
Table 15: Global demand for other biodegradable plastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Table 16: Global demand for bio-PE from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Table 17: Global demand for other non-biodegradable plastics from 2010 to 2026 – split by regions
Table 18: Demand for bioplastics in Europe from 2010 to 2026 – split by major countries
Table 19: Revenues generated with bioplastics in Europe from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 20: Production of bioplastics in Europe from 2010 to 2026 - split by products
Table 21: Demand for bioplastics in Europe from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 22: Demand for bioplastics in Europe from 2010 to 2026 – split by products
Table 23: Demand for bioplastics in North America from 2010 to 2026 – split by major countries
Table 24: Revenues generated with bioplastics in North America from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 25: Production of bioplastics in North America from 2010 to 2026 - split by products
Table 26: Demand for bioplastics in North America from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 27: Demand for bioplastics in North America from 2010 to 2026 – split by products
Table 28: Demand for bioplastics in Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026 – split by major countries
Table 29: Revenues generated with bioplastics in Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 30: Production of bioplastics in Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026 - split by products
Table 31: Demand for bioplastics in Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 32: Demand for bioplastics in Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026 – split by products
Table 33: Revenues generated with bioplastics in the rest of the world from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 34: Demand for bioplastics in the rest of the world from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 35: Demand for bioplastics in the rest of the world from 2010 to 2026 - split by products
Table 36: Revenues generated with bioplastics in France from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 37: Demand for bioplastics in France from 2010 to 2026 – split by products
Table 38: Demand for bioplastics in France from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 39: Revenues generated with bioplastics in Germany from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 40: Demand for bioplastics in Germany from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 41: Demand for bioplastics in Germany from 2010 to 2026 – split by products
Table 42: Revenues generated with bioplastics in Italy from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 43: Demand for bioplastics in Italy from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 44: Demand for bioplastics in Italy from 2010 to 2026 — split by products
Table 45: Revenues generated with bioplastics in Spain from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 46: Demand for bioplastics in Spain from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 47: Demand for bioplastics in Spain from 2010 to 2026 — split by products
Table 48: Revenues generated with bioplastics in the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 49: Demand for bioplastics in the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 50: Demand for bioplastics in the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2026 — split by products
Table 51: Revenues generated with bioplastics in the remaining European countries from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 52: Demand for bioplastics in the remaining European countries from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 53: Demand for bioplastics in the remaining European countries from 2010 to 2026 – split by products
Table 54: Revenues generated with bioplastics in Canada and Mexico from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 55: Demand for bioplastics in Canada and Mexico from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 56: Demand for bioplastics in Canada and Mexico from 2010 to 2026 – split by products
Table 57: Revenues generated with bioplastics in the USA from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 58: Demand for bioplastics in the USA from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 59: Demand for bioplastics in the USA from 2010 to 2026 — split by products
Table 60: Revenues generated with bioplastics in China from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 61: Demand for bioplastics in China from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 62: Demand for bioplastics in China from 2010 to 2026 — split by products
Table 63: Revenues generated with bioplastics in Japan from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 64: Demand for bioplastics in Japan from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 65: Demand for bioplastics in Japan from 2010 to 2026 – split by products
Table 66: Revenues generated with bioplastics in the remaining countries of Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026 in million USD and million EUR
Table 67: Demand for bioplastics in the remaining countries of Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026 – split by applications
Table 68: Demand for bioplastics in the remaining countries of Asia-Pacific from 2010 to 2026 – split by products
