Starch Polymers Market Size and Outlook 2031

Report Description

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.52 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.49%
Fastest Growing Segment	Corn Starch
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.43 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Starch Polymers Market will grow from USD 3.52 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.43 Billion by 2031 at a 7.49% CAGR. The Global Starch Polymers Market comprises biodegradable thermoplastic materials derived from renewable plant polysaccharides such as corn, wheat, and potato, which are extensively utilized in compostable packaging and agricultural films. The primary drivers supporting this sector include stringent international regulations mandating the reduction of single-use fossil-based plastics and a strategic corporate transition toward circular economy frameworks. These factors represent a structural evolution in global material sourcing rather than temporary consumer trends, fostering a favorable environment for bio-based alternatives.

Despite this robust regulatory support, the industry faces a significant challenge regarding the high production costs and hydrophilic nature of starch-based compounds relative to synthetic incumbents. According to European Bioplastics, in 2024, the global production capacity for bioplastics reached 2.47 million tonnes, with biodegradable categories such as starch blends comprising the majority of this volume. However, the economic burden of chemical modification required to overcome moisture sensitivity continues to impede the rapid commercial expansion of these polymers into cost-critical applications.

Key Market Drivers

Stringent government regulations against single-use plastics act as the primary structural catalyst for the starch polymers market, forcing a shift from fossil-based materials to compostable alternatives. Legislative bodies are increasingly enforcing binding reduction targets that penalize non-compliance, thereby accelerating the industrial uptake of bio-based solutions. According to the European Parliament, April 2024, in the 'Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation' agreement, member states are now mandated to reduce total packaging waste by 5% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. This legal framework provides the necessary long-term stability for manufacturers to invest in starch-based production lines, ensuring that biodegradable materials transition from niche products to essential compliance tools for global brands.

Simultaneously, the rising demand for biodegradable packaging solutions is expanding the commercial footprint of starch polymers, particularly within the paper and board sectors where they serve as critical binders and barrier coatings. As consumers increasingly reject conventional plastics, industries are pivoting toward renewable hydrocolloids to maintain functionality while enhancing sustainability profiles. According to Roquette, November 2024, in the 'Starch Industry EU Market Update', the market demand for starch derivatives registered an 8% growth in the first three quarters of 2024, driven largely by the recovery in the paper and packaging sector. To meet this escalating consumption, the supply chain is aggressively scaling up infrastructure. According to European Bioplastics, December 2024, in the 'Market Development Update', global bioplastics production capacity is projected to reach approximately 5.73 million tonnes by 2029, reflecting the industry's preparation for mass adoption.

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Key Market Challenges

The inherent hydrophilic nature of starch polymers necessitates extensive chemical modification or blending with expensive copolymers to achieve the moisture resistance required for commercial packaging. Unlike synthetic incumbents such as polyethylene, which naturally repel water, starch-based compounds tend to lose structural integrity in humid conditions. Overcoming this technical limitation requires complex processing steps that significantly increase raw material and manufacturing costs. This price disparity creates a substantial economic barrier, preventing these biodegradable alternatives from competing effectively in cost-driven sectors where low margins dictate material selection.

Consequently, the market experiences a pronounced lag between installed manufacturing potential and actual commercial uptake. The economic burden of these modifications limits the scope of starch polymers to niche applications, leaving significant production capabilities untapped. According to European Bioplastics, in 2024, the average utilization rate of the global bioplastics industry was 58 percent, with actual production volumes reaching only 1.44 million tonnes against the total available capacity. This disparity highlights how the high cost structure relative to performance continues to restrict the scalability of the starch polymer market.

Key Market Trends

The emergence of edible starch-based films in food packaging represents a radical departure from traditional waste management, moving beyond compostability to digestibility. This trend addresses the critical environmental impact of small-format packaging, such as sachets and wrappers, which are often too small for effective mechanical recycling. By utilizing starch derivatives combined with hydrocolloids, manufacturers are creating "zero-waste" membranes that dissolve or can be consumed, thereby eliminating downstream processing requirements. The commercial viability of this innovation is evident in the surging capital inflows for scaling production. According to Notpla, September 2024, in a company press release, the firm secured £20 million in Series A+ funding to expand its seaweed and plant-based packaging solutions, validating the market's shift toward regenerative material alternatives.

Simultaneously, the integration of nanotechnology to develop starch nanocomposites is fundamentally altering the material's performance envelope, allowing it to compete with fossil-based engineering plastics. To overcome the inherent brittleness and moisture sensitivity of native starch, producers are dispersing nano-sized fillers such as phyllosilicates within the polymer matrix. This creates a tortuous path for water vapor and oxygen, significantly enhancing barrier properties and mechanical strength without compromising biodegradability. This technological evolution has been pivotal in securing the dominance of starch-based materials in demanding sectors. According to European Bioplastics, December 2024, in the 'Market Development Update', packaging remained the largest market segment, accounting for 45 percent of the total global bioplastics production, underscoring the successful industrial adoption of these advanced, high-performance formulations.

Segmental Insights

The Corn Starch segment represents the fastest-growing category within the Global Starch Polymers Market, primarily due to the unparalleled abundance and cost-effectiveness of maize as a raw material. This economic advantage allows for the scalable production of biodegradable plastics, directly addressing the rising industrial demand for sustainable packaging alternatives to petroleum-based materials. Furthermore, the segment benefits from robust regulatory support, where compliance with safety standards from institutions like the U.S. FDA enhances its viability for food-contact applications. Consequently, manufacturers are prioritizing corn starch derivatives to align with global environmental mandates while optimizing production costs, driving the segment's superior market expansion.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific holds the leading position in the global starch polymers market, driven primarily by the abundant availability of agricultural feedstocks such as cassava and corn. The region benefits significantly from strict environmental mandates, including the enforcement of single-use plastic bans by authorities like the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in China. These regulatory measures compel manufacturers to adopt biodegradable alternatives, thereby boosting regional consumption. Additionally, the expanding food packaging and agriculture sectors in emerging economies continue to sustain the high demand for starch-based materials across the region.

Recent Developments

In November 2025, Novamont announced a significant regulatory milestone for its starch-based biopolymer products in the agricultural sector. The company's biodegradable mulch film, marketed under the brand Mater-Bi, obtained the certificate of conformity with the EU Fertilizer Regulation 2019/1009. This certification formally recognized the starch-based film as an inorganic soil improver, verifying its safety and complete biodegradability for soil applications. This development reinforced the position of starch polymers as a viable, sustainable alternative to conventional plastics in agriculture, enabling farmers to utilize compostable solutions that align with stringent European environmental standards and soil health objectives.
In July 2025, Kuraray expanded its portfolio of sustainable materials within the Global Starch Polymers Market by launching PLANTIC™ EP, a new thermoplastic starch-based biopolymer available in pellet form. This product innovation was designed to support the circular economy by offering a compostable and water-dispersible material suitable for various packaging applications, including dry goods and modified atmosphere packaging. The availability of the material in pellet form allowed for broader processing capabilities, such as extrusion coating, enabling manufacturers to create high-barrier, recyclable packaging solutions that addressed the growing demand for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional fossil-based barrier films.
In March 2024, Roquette introduced STABILYS® BA 25, a novel corn-based modified starch specifically developed to serve as a sustainable barrier solution for the packaging industry. This new product was engineered to provide effective oil and grease resistance for paper and cardboard packaging, eliminating the need for traditional fluorochemicals or PFAS-based coatings. By leveraging the functional properties of starch polymers, the company offered a safe, plant-based alternative that supported the production of biodegradable and recyclable food contact materials. This launch addressed the increasing regulatory and consumer pressure to remove hazardous chemicals from packaging supply chains while maintaining high performance.
In February 2024, TotalEnergies Corbion entered a strategic collaboration with a biotechnology partner to advance the development of sustainable fibers for the textile industry. The partnership focused on creating innovative blended materials by combining Polylactic Acid (PLA), a biopolymer derived from fermented plant starch, with Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). This joint initiative aimed to resolve technical challenges in fiber processing, such as dyeability and thermal stability, to produce high-quality, bio-based textiles. The collaboration highlighted the versatility of starch-derived polymers in expanding into the fashion and fiber markets, offering a lower carbon footprint compared to synthetic alternatives.

Key Market Players

Novamont S.p.A
Rodenburg Biopolymers B.V.
JAPAN CORN STARCH CO., LTD
United Biopolymers, S.A
Balson Industries
BASF SE
BIOTEC Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co. KG
Biome Bioplastics Limited
Eco-Products Inc
Plantic Technologies Limited

By Source	By Application	By Region
Corn Starch Potato Starch Cassava Starch Wheat Starch	Packaging Agriculture Consumer Goods Textiles Medical & Healthcare Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

Starch Polymers Market, By Source:

Corn Starch
Potato Starch
Cassava Starch
Wheat Starch

Starch Polymers Market, By Application:

Packaging
Agriculture
Consumer Goods
Textiles
Medical & Healthcare
Others

Starch Polymers Market, By Region:

North America

United States
Canada
Mexico

Europe

France
United Kingdom
Italy
Germany
Spain

Asia Pacific

China
India
Japan
Australia
South Korea

South America

Brazil
Argentina
Colombia

Middle East & Africa

South Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Starch Polymers Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Starch Polymers 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 Starch Polymers 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]

Table of content

1. Product Overview

1.1. Market Definition

1.2. Scope of the Market

1.2.1. Markets Covered

1.2.2. Years Considered for Study

1.2.3. Key Market Segmentations

2. Research Methodology

2.1. Objective of the Study

2.2. Baseline Methodology

2.3. Key Industry Partners

2.4. Major Association and Secondary Sources

2.5. Forecasting Methodology

2.6. Data Triangulation & Validation

2.7. Assumptions and Limitations

3. Executive Summary

3.1. Overview of the Market

3.2. Overview of Key Market Segmentations

3.3. Overview of Key Market Players

3.4. Overview of Key Regions/Countries

3.5. Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, Trends

4. Voice of Customer

5. Global Starch Polymers Market Outlook

5.1. Market Size & Forecast

5.1.1. By Value

5.2. Market Share & Forecast

5.2.1. By Source (Corn Starch, Potato Starch, Cassava Starch, Wheat Starch)

5.2.2. By Application (Packaging, Agriculture, Consumer Goods, Textiles, Medical & Healthcare, Others)

5.2.3. By Region

5.2.4. By Company (2025)

5.3. Market Map

6. North America Starch Polymers Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.1.1. By Value

6.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.2.1. By Source

6.2.2. By Application

6.2.3. By Country

6.3. North America: Country Analysis

6.3.1. United States Starch Polymers Market Outlook

6.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.1.1.1. By Value

6.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.1.2.1. By Source

6.3.1.2.2. By Application

6.3.2. Canada Starch Polymers Market Outlook

6.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.2.1.1. By Value

6.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.2.2.1. By Source

6.3.2.2.2. By Application

6.3.3. Mexico Starch Polymers Market Outlook

6.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.3.3.1.1. By Value

6.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.3.3.2.1. By Source

6.3.3.2.2. By Application

7. Europe Starch Polymers Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.1.1. By Value

7.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.2.1. By Source

7.2.2. By Application

7.2.3. By Country

7.3. Europe: Country Analysis

7.3.1. Germany Starch Polymers Market Outlook

7.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.1.1.1. By Value

7.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.1.2.1. By Source

7.3.1.2.2. By Application

7.3.2. France Starch Polymers Market Outlook

7.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.2.1.1. By Value

7.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.2.2.1. By Source

7.3.2.2.2. By Application

7.3.3. United Kingdom Starch Polymers Market Outlook

7.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.3.1.1. By Value

7.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.3.2.1. By Source

7.3.3.2.2. By Application

7.3.4. Italy Starch Polymers Market Outlook

7.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.4.1.1. By Value

7.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.4.2.1. By Source

7.3.4.2.2. By Application

7.3.5. Spain Starch Polymers Market Outlook

7.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.3.5.1.1. By Value

7.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.3.5.2.1. By Source

7.3.5.2.2. By Application

8. Asia Pacific Starch Polymers Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.1.1. By Value

8.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.2.1. By Source

8.2.2. By Application

8.2.3. By Country

8.3. Asia Pacific: Country Analysis

8.3.1. China Starch Polymers Market Outlook

8.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.1.1.1. By Value

8.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.1.2.1. By Source

8.3.1.2.2. By Application

8.3.2. India Starch Polymers Market Outlook

8.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.2.1.1. By Value

8.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.2.2.1. By Source

8.3.2.2.2. By Application

8.3.3. Japan Starch Polymers Market Outlook

8.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.3.1.1. By Value

8.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.3.2.1. By Source

8.3.3.2.2. By Application

8.3.4. South Korea Starch Polymers Market Outlook

8.3.4.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.4.1.1. By Value

8.3.4.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.4.2.1. By Source

8.3.4.2.2. By Application

8.3.5. Australia Starch Polymers Market Outlook

8.3.5.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.3.5.1.1. By Value

8.3.5.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.3.5.2.1. By Source

8.3.5.2.2. By Application

9. Middle East & Africa Starch Polymers Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.1.1. By Value

9.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.2.1. By Source

9.2.2. By Application

9.2.3. By Country

9.3. Middle East & Africa: Country Analysis

9.3.1. Saudi Arabia Starch Polymers Market Outlook

9.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.1.1.1. By Value

9.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.1.2.1. By Source

9.3.1.2.2. By Application

9.3.2. UAE Starch Polymers Market Outlook

9.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.2.1.1. By Value

9.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.2.2.1. By Source

9.3.2.2.2. By Application

9.3.3. South Africa Starch Polymers Market Outlook

9.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.3.3.1.1. By Value

9.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.3.3.2.1. By Source

9.3.3.2.2. By Application

10. South America Starch Polymers Market Outlook

10.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.1.1. By Value

10.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.2.1. By Source

10.2.2. By Application

10.2.3. By Country

10.3. South America: Country Analysis

10.3.1. Brazil Starch Polymers Market Outlook

10.3.1.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.1.1.1. By Value

10.3.1.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.1.2.1. By Source

10.3.1.2.2. By Application

10.3.2. Colombia Starch Polymers Market Outlook

10.3.2.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.2.1.1. By Value

10.3.2.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.2.2.1. By Source

10.3.2.2.2. By Application

10.3.3. Argentina Starch Polymers Market Outlook

10.3.3.1. Market Size & Forecast

10.3.3.1.1. By Value

10.3.3.2. Market Share & Forecast

10.3.3.2.1. By Source

10.3.3.2.2. By Application

11. Market Dynamics

11.1. Drivers

11.2. Challenges

12. Market Trends & Developments

12.1. Merger & Acquisition (If Any)

12.2. Product Launches (If Any)

12.3. Recent Developments

13. Global Starch Polymers Market: SWOT Analysis

14. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

14.1. Competition in the Industry

14.2. Potential of New Entrants

14.3. Power of Suppliers

14.4. Power of Customers

14.5. Threat of Substitute Products

15. Competitive Landscape

15.1. Novamont S.p.A

15.1.1. Business Overview

15.1.2. Products & Services

15.1.3. Recent Developments

15.1.4. Key Personnel

15.1.5. SWOT Analysis

15.2. Rodenburg Biopolymers B.V.

15.3. JAPAN CORN STARCH CO., LTD

15.4. United Biopolymers, S.A

15.5. Balson Industries

15.6. BASF SE

15.7. BIOTEC Biologische Naturverpackungen GmbH & Co. KG

15.8. Biome Bioplastics Limited

15.9. Eco-Products Inc

15.10. Plantic Technologies Limited

16. Strategic Recommendations

17. About Us & Disclaimer

Report Description

Table of content

Figures and Tables

Frequently asked questions

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