Difficult market environment slows growth of bio-based polymers

The worldwide production capacity for bio-based polymers grew by 4% to 6.6 million tonnes from 2015 to 2016, with capacity forecast to grow to 8.5 million tonnes by 2021, according to a report published by nova-Institute.

The report finds that bio-based polymer turnover was about €13 billion worldwide in 2016, compared to €11 billion in 2014, and represents a 2% share of the global polymer market, with development of the bio-based polymer market aligning to the overall growth rate of the polymer market.

The forecast growth of 4% contrasts with the 10% annual growth achieved between 2012 and 2014 and again mirrors overall global polymer capacity. The slower increase in capacity is attributed to low oil prices, poor political support and a slower than expected growth of the capacity utilisation rate.

Not all bio-based polymers are biodegradable, but some important ones are, including polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polylactic acid (PLA) and starch blends. Strong political support can only be found in Italy and France for biodegradable solutions in the packaging sector, and in this sector the global demand for biodegradable packaging still shows double-digit growth. Additional demand could come from the increasing microplastic problem (marine littering), but so far the report finds that biodegradable plastics have not benefited from this debate.

nova-Institute is a private, independent institute offering research and consultancy, with a focus on bio-based and CO₂-based economies. Its market study ‘Bio-based Building Blocks and Polymers – Global Capacities and Trends 2016-2021’ includes data on capacities and applications for all relevant bio-based building blocks and polymers.