Global Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Growth 2025-2031

The global Polylactic Acid (PLA) market size is predicted to grow from US$ 1145 million in 2025 to US$ 1423 million in 2031; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2025 to 2031.

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.

LP Information, Inc. (LPI) ' newest research report, the “Polylactic Acid (PLA) Industry Forecast” looks at past sales and reviews total world Polylactic Acid (PLA) sales in 2024, providing a comprehensive analysis by region and market sector of projected Polylactic Acid (PLA) sales for 2025 through 2031. With Polylactic Acid (PLA) sales broken down by region, market sector and sub-sector, this report provides a detailed analysis in US$ millions of the world Polylactic Acid (PLA) industry.

This Insight Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the global Polylactic Acid (PLA) landscape and highlights key trends related to product segmentation, company formation, revenue, and market share, latest development, and M&A activity. This report also analyzes the strategies of leading global companies with a focus on Polylactic Acid (PLA) portfolios and capabilities, market entry strategies, market positions, and geographic footprints, to better understand these firms’ unique position in an accelerating global Polylactic Acid (PLA) market.

This Insight Report evaluates the key market trends, drivers, and affecting factors shaping the global outlook for Polylactic Acid (PLA) and breaks down the forecast by Type, by Application, geography, and market size to highlight emerging pockets of opportunity. With a transparent methodology based on hundreds of bottom-up qualitative and quantitative market inputs, this study forecast offers a highly nuanced view of the current state and future trajectory in the global Polylactic Acid (PLA).

This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares, and growth opportunities of Polylactic Acid (PLA) market by product type, application, key manufacturers and key regions and countries.

Segmentation by Type:
Injection Molding Grade PLA
Film Grade PLA
Sheet Grade PLA
Fiber Grade PLA

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

This report also splits the market by region:
Americas
United States
Canada
Mexico
Brazil
APAC
China
Japan
Korea
Southeast Asia
India
Australia
Europe
Germany
France
UK
Italy
Russia
Middle East & Africa
Egypt
South Africa
Israel
Turkey
GCC Countries

The below companies that are profiled have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts and analysing the company's coverage, product portfolio, its market penetration.
NatureWorks
Total Corbion
BEWiSynbra
Toray
Futerro
Sulzer
Unitika
Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials
Shanghai Tong-Jie-Liang
Anhui BBCA Biochemical
COFCO Biotechnology
PLIITH Biotechnology

Key Questions Addressed in this Report

What is the 10-year outlook for the global Polylactic Acid (PLA) market?

What factors are driving Polylactic Acid (PLA) market growth, globally and by region?

Which technologies are poised for the fastest growth by market and region?

How do Polylactic Acid (PLA) market opportunities vary by end market size?

How does Polylactic Acid (PLA) break out by Type, by Application?

Please note: The report will take approximately 2 business days to prepare and deliver.