A Biodegradable Polymers Market By Material Type (Polylactic Acid, Polyhydroxyalkanoates, Starch Blends, Polybutylene Succinate, Polyhydroxyurethanes) , By Application (Packaging

Biodegradable Polymers Market By Material Type (Polylactic Acid, Polyhydroxyalkanoates, Starch Blends, Polybutylene Succinate, Polyhydroxyurethanes) , By Application (Packaging, Agriculture, Medical, Consumer Goods, Textile, Others) : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033

The biodegradable polymers market was valued at $7.9 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach $55.2 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 21.5% from 2024 to 2033.
Biodegradable polymers are a class of polymers that not only decompose faster when discarded but can also be easily recycled. One of the key benefits of using biodegradable polymers to produce plastic bags is the significant reduction of carbon emissions during the production process, thereby mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. They find their major application in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors. For instance, biodegradable polymers are widely used in surgical sutures and implants. In addition, they have been used as carriers in drug delivery systems. Furthermore, the use of biodegradable biopolymers to manufacture containers and packaging in the food industry is one of the major applications.
The growth of the global biodegradable polymers market is majorly driven by alarming increase in environmental concerns and rise in government initiatives to reduce conventional plastic waste. For instance, with effect from September 30, 2021, the Government of India enforced manufacturers to increase the thickness of plastic carry bags from 50 microns to 75 microns and to 120 microns with effect from the December 31, 2022. This initiative enabled the reuse of plastic due to increase in thickness. In addition, rise in consumer preference toward eco-friendly products is driving the demand for biodegradable polymers. However, high production cost of biodegradable polymers as compared to conventional plastic acts as a key deterrent factor of the global market. Moreover, the blend of traditional and bio-based plastics complicates waste management, as they make sorting and recycling processes more difficult and less efficient. Traditional plastics and bio-based plastics often require different recycling methods, and improper disposal can lead to contamination, reducing the quality of recycled materials and increasing processing costs. To overcome this concern, researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) partnered with X—the moonshot incubator under Alphabet, Google's parent company, in November 2023. The aim is not just to bypass the challenging separation process but also to enhance the final product's environmental impact. Such developments are expected to open new avenues for the expansion of the global market during the forecast period. Furthermore, increase in adoption of green chemistry approaches to produce biodegradable polymers from renewable resources is expected to offer lucrative opportunities for the growth of the market. For instance, in June 2024, melanin from cuttlefish ink was discovered as a potent source for eco-friendly materials by Japanese researchers. According to the findings, melanin plays a vital role in the synthesis of biopolymers, and is expected to become a valuable biomass resource in the coming years.
The global biodegradable polymers market is segmented into polymer type, application, and region. On the basis of polymer type, the market is divided into polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, starch blends, polybutylene succinate, and polyhydroxyurethanes. By application, it is segregated into packaging, agriculture, medical, consumer goods, textile, and others. Region wise, it is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Key Findings

On the basis of polymer type, the polylactic acid segment is expected to dominate the market by 2033.
By application, the packaging segment is expected to lead throughout the forecast period.
Region wise, biodegradable polymers are expected to gain high prominence in Europe in the coming years.

Competition Analysis

Competitive analysis and profiles of the major players in the global biodegradable polymers market include BASF SE, NatureWorks LLC, Novamont S.p.A., TotalEnergies Corbion, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Natur-Tec, Polysciences Inc, Danimer Scientific, FKuR, and Evonik Industries AG. These major players have adopted various key development strategies such as business expansion, new product launches, and partnerships to strengthen their foothold in the competitive market.

Key Market Segments

By Material Type

Polylactic Acid
Polyhydroxyalkanoates
Starch Blends
Polybutylene Succinate
Polyhydroxyurethanes

By Application

Packaging
Agriculture
Medical
Consumer Goods
Textile
Others

By Region

North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
UK
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific
China
Japan
India
South Korea
Australia
Rest of Asia-Pacific
LAMEA
Brazil
South Africa
Saudi Arabia
Rest of LAMEA
Key Market Players
BASF SE
NatureWorks LLC
Novamont S.p.A.
TotalEnergies Corbion
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation.
Natur-Tec
Polysciences Inc
Danimer Scientific
FKuR
Evonik Industries AG