Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Non-Biodegradable vs Biodegradable), By End-Use Industry (Packaging, Consumer Goods, Agriculture & Horticulture, Textile, Automotive & Transportation and Others), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market was valued at 16.64 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 38.56 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 15.98%.

The global bioplastics and biopolymers market is a rapidly evolving segment within the advanced materials industry, driven by the urgent need for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Bioplastics and biopolymers are derived from renewable biomass sources such as corn, sugarcane, cellulose, and agricultural by-products, offering biodegradable or bio-based properties that reduce environmental impact. These materials are used across diverse industries, including packaging, automotive, agriculture, textiles, and consumer goods, due to their versatility, reduced carbon footprint, and alignment with global sustainability goals. The market is propelled by increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly products, stringent government regulations on single-use plastics, and advancements in production technologies that enhance material performance and cost-effectiveness.

The packaging industry remains the largest consumer of bioplastics, utilizing materials like polylactic acid (PLA), starch blends, and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) for films, bottles, and food containers. The automotive sector is also a key contributor, adopting bioplastics for lightweight components to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The agriculture industry leverages biodegradable films to enhance soil health and crop productivity. Despite its growth potential, the market faces challenges such as high production costs and limited composting infrastructure, which hinder widespread adoption. Innovations in bio-based feed stock and recycling technologies are creating opportunities to overcome these barriers, fostering market expansion.

The competitive landscape is characterized by strategic investments in research and development, capacity expansion, and collaborations among key players to meet rising demand. The Asia-Pacific region leads due to its robust manufacturing base and supportive policies, while Europe and North America contribute significantly through stringent environmental regulations and advanced technological capabilities. The forecast period of 2020–2030 is expected to witness robust growth, driven by increasing environmental awareness, regulatory support, and technological advancements. The market’s trajectory reflects a global shift toward circular economy principles, positioning bioplastics and biopolymers as critical materials in addressing plastic pollution and sustainability challenges.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing Regulatory Support for Sustainable Materials

Stringent government regulations and policies aimed at reducing plastic waste are a primary driver of the global bioplastics and biopolymers market. Governments worldwide are implementing bans on single-use plastics and promoting the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives to address environmental concerns. For instance, the European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive, effective since 2021, restricts items like plastic straws, cutlery, and bags, encouraging the use of biodegradable bioplastics in packaging and consumer goods, as reported by the European Commission. Similarly, India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules, amended in 2022, mandate the use of compostable plastics in certain applications, boosting demand for bioplastics like PLA and PBAT. These policies create a favorable environment for market growth by incentivizing manufacturers to shift toward sustainable materials.

In addition to bans, governments offer financial incentives such as tax breaks, subsidies, and research funding to support bioplastics production. For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s BioPreferred Program promotes the use of bio-based products in public procurement, driving demand in sectors like packaging and agriculture. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations emphasizes the role of biodegradable materials in addressing global waste challenges, further encouraging their adoption. These regulatory frameworks, combined with certifications like EN 13432 for compostability, ensure product quality and consumer trust, fostering market expansion. As sustainability becomes a global priority, regulatory support continues to drive innovation and investment in bioplastics and biopolymers, positioning them as viable alternatives to conventional plastics.

Growing Demand for Sustainable Packaging Solutions

The rising demand for sustainable packaging solutions, particularly in the food and beverage industry, is a significant driver for the bioplastics and biopolymers market. Increasing consumer awareness of plastic pollution and environmental degradation has shifted preferences toward eco-friendly packaging, as highlighted by the World Packaging Organisation’s reports on sustainable packaging trends. Bioplastics such as PLA, starch blends, and bio-PET are widely used in flexible and rigid packaging, including films, bottles, and food containers, due to their biodegradability and reduced environmental impact. Major companies like Nestlé and Unilever have committed to using sustainable packaging materials, with initiatives targeting reduced plastic waste, as noted in their sustainability reports.

Government policies further amplify this demand. For instance, China’s 14th Five-Year Plan emphasizes sustainable packaging to reduce landfill waste, promoting bioplastics in food and beverage applications. The packaging industry’s shift toward circular economy principles, supported by certifications like OK Compost, encourages the adoption of biodegradable materials. Additionally, the rise in e-commerce, particularly post-COVID-19, has increased the need for sustainable packaging solutions, as reported by the International Trade Administration. Bioplastics offer durability and aesthetic appeal while addressing environmental concerns, making them ideal for food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical packaging. This growing demand, coupled with consumer and regulatory pressures, drives innovation and market growth in the bioplastics and biopolymers sector.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

High Production Costs and Scalability Issues

The high cost of producing bioplastics and biopolymers remains a significant challenge, limiting their competitiveness against conventional plastics. The production of materials like PLA and PHA involves complex processes, such as fermentation and polymerization, requiring specialized equipment and renewable feedstocks like corn or sugarcane. These processes are cost-intensive, as noted in industry analyses by ChemAnalyst, particularly when compared to petroleum-based plastics, which benefit from established supply chains and economies of scale. Fluctuations in biomass prices further exacerbate costs, impacting profitability for manufacturers. While advancements in production technologies aim to improve efficiency, achieving cost parity with conventional plastics requires significant investment in research and large-scale production facilities, posing a barrier to market expansion, especially for smaller players.

Limited Composting and Recycling Infrastructure

The lack of adequate composting and recycling infrastructure for biodegradable bioplastics is a major challenge, hindering their environmental benefits. Many bioplastics, such as PLA and PBAT, require specific industrial composting conditions, including high temperatures and microbial activity, to degrade effectively, as highlighted by the European Bioplastics Association. However, such facilities are limited globally, particularly in developing regions, leading to improper disposal in landfills or contamination of traditional recycling streams. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) notes that only a few countries have invested in widespread composting infrastructure, restricting the scalability of biodegradable bioplastics. This limitation undermines their sustainability advantages and poses challenges for manufacturers in promoting bioplastics as viable alternatives, slowing market adoption.

Key Market Trends

Advancements in Bio-Based Feedstock Utilization

The development of innovative bio-based feedstocks is a key trend driving the bioplastics and biopolymers market. Manufacturers are exploring alternative renewable sources, such as algae, seaweed, and agricultural waste, to reduce reliance on traditional feedstocks like corn and sugarcane, which compete with food production. For instance, research by the National University of Singapore in 2023 highlighted the potential of seaweed-based bioplastics for packaging applications, offering biodegradability and scalability. These advancements align with global sustainability goals, as outlined by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and reduce the environmental impact of bioplastics production. The trend is supported by investments in bio-refinery technologies, enabling cost-effective and sustainable feedstock processing, which enhances the market’s appeal and application scope.

Expansion of Applications in Automotive and Construction

The increasing use of bioplastics and biopolymers in automotive and construction applications is a transformative trend, driven by the need for lightweight and sustainable materials. Bio-based polymers like bio-PA and bio-PP are used in automotive interiors, dashboards, and structural components to reduce vehicle weight and emissions, as noted by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Similarly, the construction industry is adopting bioplastics for insulation, films, and composites, leveraging their durability and environmental benefits. Innovations in material properties, such as enhanced strength and heat resistance, are expanding these applications, supported by government incentives for green building materials. This trend broadens the market’s scope, driving demand and encouraging further research into high-performance biopolymers.

Segmental Insights

Type Insights

Based on type, the biodegradable segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category in the global bioplastics and biopolymers market. This growth is primarily fueled by rising environmental concerns and the global shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly materials. Governments and regulatory bodies are actively encouraging the use of biodegradable plastics to reduce dependency on conventional petrochemical-based plastics, which are a major contributor to pollution and landfill waste. Increasing consumer awareness regarding plastic waste and its environmental impact is boosting demand for biodegradable solutions in packaging, agriculture, and consumer goods. Innovations in biodegradable polymers, coupled with supportive policy frameworks, are further accelerating adoption, making this segment a key contributor to the market's long-term expansion.

End-Use industry Insights

Based on the end-use industry, the packaging segment is expected to dominate the global bioplastics and biopolymers market during the forecast period. This dominance is driven by the rapid growth in demand for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions across industries such as food & beverages, consumer goods, healthcare, and e-commerce. Growing regulatory pressure to reduce single-use plastics and minimize environmental impact is encouraging manufacturers to shift toward biodegradable and bio-based packaging alternatives. Rising consumer awareness and preferences for environmentally responsible products are pushing brands to adopt bioplastics in both rigid and flexible packaging applications. As a result, the packaging sector is playing a pivotal role in shaping the growth trajectory of the bioplastics and biopolymers market globally.

Download Free Sample Report

Regional Insights

Based on region, Europe dominated the global bioplastics and biopolymers market, driven by stringent regulations like the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive and strong consumer demand for sustainable products. Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, with China and India leading due to robust manufacturing and government support for bio-based materials. North America, particularly the U.S., is a significant market, fueled by innovations in packaging and automotive applications. South America, led by Brazil, benefits from abundant bio-based feedstocks like sugarcane, supporting bioplastics production. The Middle East and Africa are emerging markets, with Saudi Arabia and South Africa investing in sustainable materials to address environmental concerns, though they remain smaller contributors.

Recent Development

• In April 2023, NatureWorks LLC launched Ingeo 6500D, a new biopolymer-based product designed for enhanced strength and softness in bio-based nonwovens for hygiene applications.
• In December 2023, ThyssenKrupp Uhde was awarded a contract to build large-scale biopolymer plants in the Arabian Peninsula, boosting regional production capabilities for biodegradable plastics.
• In November 2022, TotalEnergies Corbion and Be Good Friends (BGF) signed a long-term agreement to develop bio-based Luminy PLA products, targeting sustainable packaging solutions. [Source: Fortune Business Insights]
• KW Plastics signed a long-term scrap supply contract with the North American division of Clean Planet Energy, a cleantech, renewable, and alternative energy company. The division is constructing a pyrolysis plant in Alabama, U.S. The agreement will help turn around 20,000 tons of plastic residue generated at the current KW Plastics facility in Alabama into environmentally friendly circular products rather than being sent to landfill.
• Japanese company Mitsui & Co. is in talks to build a bioplastics factory in the south-eastern U.S, creating one of the largest production sites worldwide for the plant-based packaging material.

Key Market Players

• BASF SE
• Biome Bioplastics Limited
• Arkema S.A.
• BIOTEC biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co
• NatureWorks LLC
• Novamont S.p.A.
• TotalEnergies Corbion
• Toray Industries, Inc.
• Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings

Report Scope

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

• Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market, By Type:

o   Non-Biodegradable

o   Biodegradable

• Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market, By End-Use Industry:

o   Packaging

o   Consumer Goods

o   Agriculture & Horticulture

o   Textile

o   Automotive & Transportation

o   Others

• Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

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

Available Customizations:

Global 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).

Global Bioplastics & Biopolymers Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]