Global Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market 2025 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2031

According to our (Global Info Research) latest study, the global Polylactic Acid (PLA) market size was valued at US$ 1160 million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 1478 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 3.5% during review period.

PLA, or polylactic acid, can be produced from any fermentable sugar. Most PLA is made from corn because corn is one of the cheapest and most available sugars globally. However, sugarcane, tapioca root, cassava, and sugar beet pulp are other options.

The increasing global focus on sustainability, environmental regulations, and consumer preferences for eco-friendly products is a major driver for PLA demand. PLA is biodegradable, compostable, and derived from renewable sources (like corn starch or sugarcane), positioning it as an alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. Many governments are introducing stringent regulations to reduce plastic waste, promoting the use of biodegradable materials like PLA. For instance, bans on single-use plastics and incentives for using bio-based materials help fuel PLA market growth.

The packaging industry is one of the largest consumers of PLA due to its biodegradability and compostability. Food packaging, in particular, benefits from PLA's properties, aligning with increasing consumer demand for sustainable packaging in retail and food service sectors.

Advancements in production technologies are lowering the costs and improving the mechanical properties of PLA, making it competitive with conventional plastics in various applications. Continuous R&D into enhanced PLA blends and composites is expanding its use in more demanding applications.

Currently, the biggest technical barrier for the polylactic acid industry is the production of lactide. Impacted by the supply of lactide, Chinese polylactic acid manufacturers can't release production capacity quickly.

This report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis for global Polylactic Acid (PLA) market. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses are presented by manufacturers, by region & country, by Type and by Application. As the market is constantly changing, this report explores the competition, supply and demand trends, as well as key factors that contribute to its changing demands across many markets. Company profiles and product examples of selected competitors, along with market share estimates of some of the selected leaders for the year 2025, are provided.

Key Features:

Global Polylactic Acid (PLA) market size and forecasts, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (K MT), and average selling prices (USD/MT), 2020-2031

Global Polylactic Acid (PLA) market size and forecasts by region and country, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (K MT), and average selling prices (USD/MT), 2020-2031

Global Polylactic Acid (PLA) market size and forecasts, by Type and by Application, in consumption value ($ Million), sales quantity (K MT), and average selling prices (USD/MT), 2020-2031

Global Polylactic Acid (PLA) market shares of main players, shipments in revenue ($ Million), sales quantity (K MT), and ASP (USD/MT), 2020-2025

The Primary Objectives in This Report Are:

To determine the size of the total market opportunity of global and key countries

To assess the growth potential for Polylactic Acid (PLA)

To forecast future growth in each product and end-use market

To assess competitive factors affecting the marketplace

This report profiles key players in the global Polylactic Acid (PLA) market based on the following parameters - company overview, sales quantity, revenue, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments. Key companies covered as a part of this study include NatureWorks, Total Corbion, BEWiSynbra, Toray, Futerro, Sulzer, Unitika, Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials, Shanghai Tong-Jie-Liang, Anhui BBCA Biochemical, etc.

This report also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals.

Market Segmentation

Polylactic Acid (PLA) market is split by Type and by Application. For the period 2020-2031, the growth among segments provides accurate calculations and forecasts for consumption value by Type, and by Application in terms of volume and value. This analysis can help you expand your business by targeting qualified niche markets.

Market segment by Type
Injection Molding Grade PLA
Film Grade PLA
Sheet Grade PLA
Fiber Grade PLA

Market segment by Application
Tableware and Utensils
Food and Beverage Packaging
Electronics and Electrical Appliances
Medical Care
3D Printing Consumables
Other

Major players covered
NatureWorks
Total Corbion
BEWiSynbra
Toray
Futerro
Sulzer
Unitika
Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials
Shanghai Tong-Jie-Liang
Anhui BBCA Biochemical
COFCO Biotechnology
PLIITH Biotechnology

Market segment by region, regional analysis covers

North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)

Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia)

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Rest of South America)

Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)

The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:

Chapter 1, to describe Polylactic Acid (PLA) product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year.

Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Polylactic Acid (PLA), with price, sales quantity, revenue, and global market share of Polylactic Acid (PLA) from 2020 to 2025.

Chapter 3, the Polylactic Acid (PLA) competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue, and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.

Chapter 4, the Polylactic Acid (PLA) breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value, and growth by regions, from 2020 to 2031.

Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and by Application, with sales market share and growth rate by Type, by Application, from 2020 to 2031.

Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value, and market share for key countries in the world, from 2020 to 2025.and Polylactic Acid (PLA) market forecast, by regions, by Type, and by Application, with sales and revenue, from 2026 to 2031.

Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, and Porters Five Forces analysis.

Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Polylactic Acid (PLA).

Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Polylactic Acid (PLA) sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.