Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market By Type (Non-Biodegradable vs Biodegradable), By End-Use Industry (Packaging, Consumer Goods, Agriculture & Horticulture, Textile, Automotive & Transportation and Others), By Country, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market was valued at USD 6.37 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 18.58 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 17.62%.

The Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market is a dynamic segment within the region's sustainable materials landscape, encompassing bio-based and biodegradable polymers derived from renewable sources such as starch, cellulose, and polylactic acid (PLA). These materials serve diverse applications in packaging, consumer goods, agriculture, textiles, automotive, and transportation, offering alternatives to conventional plastics to address environmental concerns. The market aligns with the European Green Deal, which targets climate neutrality by 2050 through reduced fossil fuel dependency and enhanced circular economy practices. The EU's Plastics Strategy emphasizes recycling and bio-based innovations, fostering demand for bioplastics that minimize carbon footprints and enable composting or biodegradation.

Key Market Drivers

Stringent EU Regulations Promoting Sustainable Materials

Stringent EU regulations are a primary driver for the Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market, compelling industries to adopt eco-friendly alternatives. The European Green Deal sets ambitious targets for reducing plastic waste, mandating bio-based content in products. Supporting data from the European Commission's Circular Economy Action Plan highlights requirements for recyclable packaging by 2030, boosting bioplastics in food and consumer goods. The Single-Use Plastics Directive restricts conventional plastics, encouraging biopolymers in straws and bags. Policies like the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive enforce extended producer responsibility, driving investments in biodegradable materials. This driver is reinforced by national implementations, such as Germany's Packaging Act, which incentivizes bio-based solutions through fees on non-recyclables.

Rising Consumer Demand for Eco-Friendly Products

Increasing consumer awareness of environmental impacts drives demand for bioplastics and biopolymers, as Europeans prioritize sustainability in purchasing decisions. The EU's Consumer Agenda promotes transparent labeling for green claims, fostering trust in bio-based products. Supporting facts from the European Environment Agency's reports on plastic pollution underscore public concerns over microplastics in ecosystems, spurring shifts to biodegradable packaging in retail. The Farm to Fork Strategy encourages biopolymers in agricultural films to minimize soil contamination. This driver aligns with corporate commitments under the EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, where companies disclose bio-material usage to attract ethical investments.

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Key Market Challenges

Limited Feedstock Availability and Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Limited availability of renewable feedstocks poses a challenge, as competition for biomass from food and energy sectors strains supply. The European Biomass Association notes variability due to climate events, impacting consistent production. Geopolitical disruptions affect imports of raw materials like sugarcane derivatives. Compliance with the EU's Renewable Energy Directive adds complexity in sourcing sustainable biomass. Smaller producers face higher costs for certification, potentially limiting market participation. Investments in diversified supply chains are essential but require significant upfront capital.

Higher Production Costs Compared to Conventional Plastics

Higher production costs hinder widespread adoption, as bioplastics require advanced processing and premium feedstocks. The European Chemical Industry Council highlights energy-intensive fermentation processes, increasing expenses amid rising utility prices. The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism imposes tariffs on non-compliant imports, but domestic scaling lags due to R&D demands. Consumer price sensitivity in competitive markets like packaging complicates premium pricing. Mitigating this involves subsidies under the Just Transition Fund, yet bureaucratic delays slow implementation.

Key Market Trends

Development of Advanced Biodegradable Formulations

The development of advanced biodegradable formulations is a key trend, enhancing performance in diverse applications. Innovations in PLA and PHA blends offer improved barrier properties for packaging, supported by the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking. This trend aligns with the EU's Zero Pollution Action Plan, promoting compostable materials in agriculture. Companies focus on enzyme-accelerated degradation, reducing environmental persistence and meeting standards like EN 13432 for compostability.

Integration of Circular Economy Practices in Production

Integration of circular economy practices is transforming the market, with recycling and upcycling of biopolymers gaining traction. The EU's Circular Economy Package encourages closed-loop systems, where post-consumer waste is repurposed into new materials. This trend involves mechanical recycling of bio-based polyethylene, enhancing resource efficiency and complying with the Waste Framework Directive. Collaborations with waste management firms optimize collection, supporting extended producer responsibility schemes.

Segmental Insights

End-Use Industry Insights

Based on end-use industry, the packaging segment holds the largest share in the Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market, driven by the region’s strong focus on sustainability, waste reduction, and regulatory restrictions on traditional plastic packaging. Bioplastics are increasingly being adopted for food packaging, beverage containers, bags, and films due to their compostability, reduced carbon footprint, and consumer appeal. The European Union’s directives on single-use plastics and increasing pressure from environmentally conscious consumers are pushing brands to adopt eco-friendly packaging solutions. Moreover, major retailers and FMCG companies are investing in biodegradable and bio-based packaging to meet sustainability goals. These factors make packaging the leading application segment, with strong demand expected to continue throughout the forecast period.

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Country Insights

Based on country, Germany has emerged as the largest market in the Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market, driven by its strong industrial base, advanced recycling infrastructure, and commitment to sustainability and innovation. As a leader in the European circular economy transition, Germany has implemented supportive policies and incentives to promote the use of bio-based and biodegradable materials across various sectors. The country’s robust packaging, automotive, and consumer goods industries are increasingly adopting bioplastics to meet environmental regulations and reduce carbon emissions. Strong R&D capabilities and collaboration between government, academia, and private companies contribute to advancements in biopolymer technologies. These factors collectively position Germany at the forefront of the bioplastics and biopolymers market in Europe.

Recent Development

• In October 2024, the European Union included soil-biodegradable products under the Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) 1009/2019. This covers mulch films, coating agents, and water retention polymers, now classified under Component Material Category (CMC) 9 “Other Polymers.” Soil-biodegradable mulch films are additionally recognized as Soil Improvers under Product Function Category (PFC) 3. These products, eligible for CE marking from November 2024, meet strict safety and environmental standards, enabling unrestricted trade in the EEA. The move fosters innovation, investment, and sustainability while addressing microplastic pollution in agriculture.
• In February 2025, Novamont S.p.A. launched a new bio-based polymer tailored for flexible packaging applications, marking another step in its mission to deliver sustainable and circular economy solutions. The innovative material offers significantly improved barrier properties, which extend the shelf life of packaged goods, while also ensuring full compostability at end-of-life. This dual advantage addresses both food preservation needs and growing regulatory and consumer demands for eco-friendly packaging alternatives. By replacing conventional plastics with renewable feedstock-based polymers, Novamont strengthens its role as a pioneer in bioplastics and green chemistry.
• In March 2025, BASF SE expanded its ecovio portfolio with advanced biodegradable compounds for mulch films, aimed at the EU agricultural sector. These new grades improve strength, processability, and biodegradation under field conditions, helping farmers comply with strict EU regulations on plastic waste. Unlike conventional polyethylene mulch films, ecovio materials biodegrade in soil, eliminating costly removal and disposal. This development underscores BASF’s focus on sustainable agriculture and supports the EU’s circular economy goals, while enhancing the company’s competitiveness in the growing bioplastics market.
• In March 2024, TotalEnergies Corbion partnered with South Korea’s Sansu to develop a 100% Luminy PLA bioplastic water bottle with an embossed label, eliminating the need for separate labels and caps. This innovation simplifies recycling, enabling efficient bottle-to-bottle circularity while reducing reliance on virgin plastics. Advances in recycling technology now allow recycled PLA (rPLA) to achieve food-contact quality comparable to virgin resin. The collaboration supports EU packaging waste regulations and UN SDG 17, highlighting design-for-recycling practices and strengthening global adoption of sustainable PLA solutions.
• Recently, the use of independent and internationally respected labels to mark bioplastic and biopolymer products has become important for consumers to receive transparent and correct information in the European Union (EU). For instance, the substantiation of bio-based claims should conform to the EU standards EN 16640 and/or EN 16785. Those standards specify the calculation method for determining the bio-based (carbon) content in monomers, polymers, and plastic materials and products based on the C14 content measurement or C14 method and elemental analysis, respectively. Furthermore, biodegradable products certified according to the standards EN 13432 and EN 14995 can be called (industrially) compostable.

Key Market Players

• BASF SE
• Novamont S.p.A.
• Total Carbon Pla
• Biome Bioplastics Limited
• Ecovia Renewables Inc.
• Bio-on S.p.A.
• Nurel Biopolymers
• HPPE LLC
• Specialty Biopolymers Corporation
• Meredian Holdings Group Inc.

Report Scope:

In this report, Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market has been segmented into following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

·         Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market, By Type:   

o   Non-Biodegradable

o   Biodegradable

·         Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market, By End-Use Industry:

o   Packaging

o   Consumer Goods

o   Agriculture & Horticulture

o   Textile

o   Automotive & Transportation

o   Others

·      Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market, By Country:

o   France

o   Germany

o   United Kingdom

o   Italy

o   Spain

o   Finland

o   Belgium

o   Portugal

o   Denmark

o   Netherlands

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market.

Available Customizations:

Europe Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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