Europe Biodegradable Plastics Market is worth USD 1.94 billion in 2024 and is expected to forecast strong growth during the forecast period with a CAGR of 9.27% from 2024 to 2035 ($ 9.23 billion). Biodegradable plastics are designed for undergoing physical and organic degradation, to the point where it finally breaks down into carbon dioxide (CO2), biomass, and water, and is, according to European standards for packaging, recoverable by fertilizing the soil and anaerobic treatment. Biodegradable plastic is a plastic that breaks down naturally in the environment.
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Increasing Demand for Biodegradable Plastics in Food and Beverages Industry
The growing need for biodegradable plastics in the food and beverage sector has been a major driver of Europe’s biodegradable plastics market. Consumers are making more and more purchasing decisions based on environmental factors. Biodegradable packaging is attractive to consumers who are concerned about the environment and want to reduce their ecological footprint. European legislation is tightening with regard to single-use plastics and packaging waste. The European Union Single-Use Plastics Directive works to significantly curb the use of some single-use plastics, promoting a positive atmosphere for the implementation of biodegradable substitutes. Large retailers and food chains are making commitments towards sustainable packaging options as part of their corporate social responsibility. This places pressure on suppliers to supply packaging that complies with such commitments. Biodegradable plastics technology has made it possible to produce materials that are as good as conventional plastics in terms of performance. The materials have the required properties for food safety and storage and degrade in a more eco-friendly way. Biodegradable plastics come in different forms, such as films, bottles, trays, and cutlery. This diversification addresses the varied packaging requirements of the food and beverage sector, with appropriate choices available at for different products. The use of biodegradable plastics not only helps the environment but also makes Europe a pioneer in the quest for innovative, responsible, and eco-friendly solutions for the contemporary world.
Key Market Players
- EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
- BASF SE
- DOW INC.
- FKUR KUNSTSTOFF GmbH
- MINIMA TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
- SOLANYL BIOPOLYMERS INC.
- Mitsubishi Chemical Europe GmbH
- NOVAMONT S.P.A
- Danimer Scientific Inc.
- Toray International Inc.
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Key Market Challenges
Limited Composting and Recycling Infrastructure
Biodegradable plastics, especially from organic sources like cornstarch or polylactic acid (PLA), require certain conditions for effective biodegradation. Industrial composting plants provide the necessary environment of heat, humidity, and microorganisms. Still, the amenability of these facilities in Europe is not universal. Most countries do not possess the infrastructure necessary to process biodegradable plastics on a grand scale, thus making it challenging for consumers to dispose of them properly. Though some biodegradable plastics are recyclable together with regular plastics, a lack of uniform recycling procedures holds them back from easy incorporation into the existing recycling streams. Merging biodegradable plastics with traditional plastic recycling streams threatens contamination, which reduces the quality of recycled materials and the costs to recyclers. Successful implementation of biodegradable plastics depends on successful education and awareness campaigns that inform consumers how to dispose of them correctly. Secondly, collection systems need to be established to sort biodegradable plastics from other waste streams and send them to treatment plants that can treat them. Nevertheless, the installation of composting and recycling plants comes with huge investments, and the financial feasibility of such plants is in question, especially when compared to the long-standing infrastructure for conventional plastics.
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Lack in Availability of Biodegradable Plastics
The European Union has also been a leading force in the environment, setting the pace towards minimizing plastic pollution. Policy responses such as the Circular Economy Action Plan and the Single-Use Plastics Directive are a showcase of the seriousness of promoting green plastics and controlling plastic pollution. The manufacture of biodegradable plastics requires specialized technologies and manufacturing processes from ordinary plastics. Due to limited capacities, though, current production triggers shortages and inflation. Biodegradable plastics are typically made from renewable materials such as cornstarch or sugarcane, but harvesting these sustainably and in large quantities is challenging because other industries compete for them. Effective degradation of biodegradable plastics needs specific conditions, including industrial composting facilities, which are not commonly available in Europe. Therefore, the restricted disposal makes it impractical to implement biodegradable plastics. Moreover, some products labeled as “biodegradable” may not meet the necessary standards for complete and timely degradation, undermining consumer trust in their effectiveness. This misinterpretation further contributes to hesitancy surrounding the adoption of biodegradable plastics.
