Biodegradable bioplastics are a type of plastic material materials that are made from biodegradable polymers derived from renewable sources. These materials have the ability to break down and decompose naturally over time, reducing their environmental impact compared to traditional non-biodegradable plastics.
In terms of demand by type, the market is segmented into Polylactic Acid (PLA), Polybutylene Succinate (PBS), Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), Starch-Based plastics, and Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT).
Based on demand by applications, the biodegradable bioplastics in the flexible packaging market are divided into Food & Beverages, Agriculture, Consumer & Household, and Industrial. Food & Beverages dominates the market owing to its wide range of use in dry food packaging, compostable shopping bags, and snack packaging. They are also used in the packaging of non-food products, such as napkins and tissues, toilet paper, sanitary towels, cardboard, and food wrapping paper.
Asia Pacific is the largest market for biodegradable plastics used in flexible packaging. China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan are the largest producers of Sustainable flexible packaging with biodegradable bioplastics. Western Europe is the major consumer and producer of eco-friendly bioplastics for flexible packaging solutions owing to the rising rules and regulations imposed in the region on the usage of single-use plastics.
In January 2023, Summit Plastics, a US custom packaging manufacturer, announced the acquisition of Fredman Bag Company. Fredman specializes in flexible packaging, supplying the food and beverage, medical, agricultural, industrial, and retail industries.
In November 2022, CJ Biomaterials and NatureWorks signed an MOU on development of new bioplastics for compostable food packaging, food service ware, personal care products, etc.
For example, in September 2021, BOBST and its partners made significant progress in their efforts to replace non-recyclable, high-barrier multi-material packaging with recyclable mono-material alternatives. The introduction of the new generation of BOBST "hero samples" represents a big step forward in delivering advanced solutions based on a new generation of polymers, particularly in the area of food packaging.
Jujo Thermal also launched SHIELDPLUS in September 2021, a ground-breaking recyclable fiber-based barrier material designed for flexible packaging. The new product grades offer a sustainable solution for packaging dry, wet, and fatty foods and provide excellent barrier characteristics to protect the quality of the contents.
Scholle IPN also announced in May 2021 that their bag-in-box water packaging successfully passed the Association of Plastic Recyclers' FPE-CG-01 testing, which evaluates the compatibility of flexible packaging with film-to-film recycling processes.
C-P Flexible Packaging launched C-P GreenStream sustainable packaging solutions in August 2020, a range of flexible packaging options designed for sustainability that utilize post-consumer reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable materials, downgauged materials, and renewable technologies.
The launch of these diverse products with different grades and benefits for various industries is expected to drive market growth over the forecast period.
Biodegradable bioplastics are suitable for food packaging, including wrappers, bags, food pouches, sachets, milk packaging, and pouches, as well as for non-food items such as personal care products, clothing, and more. They can provide similar functional properties and performance characteristics to conventional plastics, ensuring compatibility with existing packaging machinery and processes. In the Food & Beverages industry,
With the increasing awareness and concern about the environmental impact of plastics, consumers are showing a growing preference for products that use sustainable materials. Packaging that incorporates biodegradable bioplastics can appeal to environmentally conscious consumers, potentially improving brand image and customer loyalty.
Flexible pouches and rollstock can be used in the cosmetics industry to hold products, such as sample pouches for concealer, foundation, cleansers, lotions, and resealable packages for cotton pads and make-up remover wipes. Single-dose packaging such as single-use pouches and stickpacks are becoming widely popular as they provide today’s on-the-go consumers of nutritional and nutraceutical products with portability and convenience.
Proper disposal is crucial to realizing the environmental benefits of biodegradable bioplastics. These materials are designed to break down under specific conditions, such as in industrial composting facilities. It is important to dispose of them in appropriate waste management systems to ensure they can biodegrade as intended. Improper disposal, such as mixing them with regular plastics or sending them to landfills not equipped for biodegradation, can hinder their ability to break down efficiently.
Biodegradable bioplastics require specialized recycling infrastructure to ensure proper waste management. If these materials are not separated and processed correctly, they can contaminate the recycling stream and hinder the recycling process. The lack of widespread infrastructure for the collection and processing of biodegradable bioplastics can limit their market growth in the forecast years.
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