The Global Outlook for Biodegradable Packaging

Introduction

Global demand for biodegradable or plant-based plastic will quadruple by 2013. Rising oil prices and fossil fuel depletion is driving interest in the use of plant-based polymers. Bioplastics account for less than 10% of global plastics use, but sector growth is around 17-20% a year since 2006. The sector faces increasing regulation and more competition as large corporations move in on the industry.

Features and benefits

• Provides comprehensive overview of the biodegradable packaging market in Europe, the US, and Asia-Pacific.
  
• Provides in-depth analysis of the leading players and cutting-edge technology pushing the market forward.
  
• Provides a comprehensive overview of the regulatory and legislative framework in Europe, the US, and Asia-Pacific.
  
• Outlines the key cost factors inhibiting development of biodegradable packaging.
  
• Explores the future of the biodegradable packaging market, and what types of product are best placed to benefit from expansion.

Highlights

Currently there is not a good enough infrastructure in place to get optimum benefit from biodegradable packaging, even if it is widely available. Europe leads regulatory reform, with the US trailing behind. Asia and Australia are making headway, but Asia (and in particular China) suffer from a confused approach.

Consumers are driving demand, with major retailers including Coca-cola and Walmart getting on board. However, despite increased demand, the key cost barriers for suppliers are R&D costs, production costs, and economies of scale.

PLA dominates bioplastics use, but new materials are being developed from algae and microbacterial sources and advances in nanotechnology offer potential for interesting developments in smart packaging.

Your key questions answered

• What are the major benefits and drawbacks of biodegradable packaging?
  
• Does biodegradable packaging offer any real benefits without a comprehensive infrastructure to ensure decomposition?
  
• How are governments preparing for the increase in bioplastics use?
  
• How have retailers responded to growing consumer demands for biodegradable packaging?
  
• Which companies are leading R&D and how are big manufacturers and retailers getting involved in the market?