The biodegradable plastic market is growing rapidly as consumers and businesses alike become more environmentally conscious. Additionally, the tightening of regulations on traditional plastic use is driving companies to seek out more sustainable options.
This type of plastic is made from renewable resources such as corn starch, sugarcane, and tapioca roots, and can be broken down naturally over time. This means that it can be biodegraded in a landfill or composting system just like organic matter.
While the benefits of biodegradable plastic are clear, there are some challenges that need to be addressed before it can truly become a viable alternative to traditional plastic.
In this article, we will discuss the market for biodegradable plastics, the different types of biodegradable plastics available, and the challenges faced by biodegradable plastics vis-a-vis traditional petroleum-based plastics.
Stay tuned!
What is Biodegradable Plastic?
Biodegradable Plastic is a plastic that decomposes naturally over time. This type of plastic is made from renewable resources such as corn starch, sugarcane, and tapioca roots, and can be broken down naturally over time.
This means that it can be biodegraded in a landfill or composting system just as easily as organic waste.
The major benefits of biodegradable plastic are that it is environmentally friendly and does not contribute to pollution like traditional petroleum-based plastics.
What is the aim of biodegradable plastic?
The primary aim of biodegradable plastic is to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution. Since this type of plastic is made from renewable resources such as it does not add to the pollution problem like traditional petroleum-based plastics.
Additionally, biodegradable plastic can be broken down naturally over time, meaning that it does not contribute to the build-up of plastic waste in landfills.
Sustainability is another key aim of biodegradable plastic, as it is made from renewable resources which can be replenished.
Having said that, it should be noted that this replenishment also comes at a cost. The farming of crops for biodegradable plastic emits greenhouse gases and uses land that could be used to grow food.
What are the different types of biodegradable plastics available on the market?
There are two main types of biodegradable plastics are:
– PLA: Polylactic Acid is made from corn starch, sugarcane, or tapioca roots. PLA biodegrades best in an industrial composting facility.
– PHA: Polyhydroxyalkanoates are made from municipal waste streams such as sewage sludge or food waste. PHA biodegrades best in a landfill.
PLA is primarily used for single-use items such as packaging or disposable cutlery, while PHA is used for more durable applications such as carpets or mobile phone cases.
One of the benefits of biodegradable plastic is that it can be tailored to specific applications, meaning that there is a biodegradable plastic solution for most purposes.
What is the Biodegradable Plastic Market?
The target market for biodegradable plastic includes companies and consumers who are looking for more sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics. It also includes those forced by regulation to find sustainable solutions.
Here are some of the main segments of the biodegradable plastic market:
- Consumers
- Packaging Businesses
- Agriculture
- Consumer Goods
- Textiles
Let’s look closely at each of these biodegradable plastic market segments.
1. Consumers
Consumers are the most important market segment for biodegradable plastic.
As awareness of environmental issues grows, so does the demand for sustainable products. This is especially true for millennials, who are willing to pay more for environmentally-friendly products.
A large consumer drive for sustainability has pushed companies to look for sustainable packaging solutions, which has led to an increase in the use of biodegradable plastic.
2. Packaging Businesses
Packaging is by far the largest market for biodegradable plastic.
This is due to the fact that biodegradable plastic can be used for most packaging applications, from food packaging to cosmetics packaging.
Additionally, the push for sustainable packaging solutions has led many companies to switch to biodegradable plastic.
For example, Nestle has pledged to make all of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025. In order to meet this goal, the company is investing in biodegradable plastic.
3. Agriculture
The agriculture industry is another major biodegradable plastic market.
This is because biodegradable plastic can be used for a variety of applications in agriculture, from planting to irrigation.
Tapes and Mulch farms are the primary users of biodegradable plastics in agriculture. This is because biodegradable plastic can be an effective barrier against weeds and pests.
4. Consumer Goods
Consumer goods ranging from electrical appliances to food items need packaging. And much of the packaging currently in use is made from petroleum-based plastic.
And so the consumer goods industry has the potential to be another biodegradable plastic market.
For example, many food companies are switching to biodegradable plastic packaging in order to meet the growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging solutions.
5. Textiles
Many people are unaware of how much plastic is used in the textile industry.
Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon are made from plastic, and they make up a large percentage of the textile market.
As awareness of the environmental impacts of plastic grows, there is potential for biodegradable plastic to enter the textile market.
In fact, one of the growing trends in the textiles and clothing industry is for sustainable fashion and biodegradable plastic is playing a role in this.
Why do people buy biodegradable plastics?
The primary motivation for buying biodegradable plastic is to reduce environmental impact. In fact, this is the main reason that is fueling the growth of the biodegradable plastic market.
Biodegradable plastic reduces the need for petroleum-based plastics, which are made from non-renewable fossil fuels.
Additionally, biodegradable plastic breaks down into harmless substances, unlike petroleum-based plastic, which can last for centuries in the environment and cause serious environmental damage.
What are the main challenges facing biodegradable plastic?
The biodegradable plastic market is still in its early stages, and it faces challenges that it needs to overcome before it can reach its full potential.
Firstly, biodegradable plastic needs to be compatible with existing recycling infrastructure. This is because most biodegradable plastics are not currently recyclable.
Secondly, biodegradable plastic needs to be cost-competitive with petroleum-based plastic. Petroleum-based plastic benefits from economies of scale, existing factories, processes and trained manpower. Biodegradable plastic has some catching up to do.
Thirdly, biodegradable plastic needs to be able to biodegrade in a range of environments. This is because biodegradability depends on temperature, humidity and the presence of microorganisms.
Finally, biodegradable plastic needs to be durable enough for everyday use. This is because biodegradable plastic needs to be able to compete with petroleum-based plastic, which is known for its durability.
Conclusion
Biodegradable plastic is plastic made from renewable resources that can break down into harmless substances.
The biodegradable plastic market is growing as people become more aware of the environmental impacts of plastic. In fact, the main reason why consumers are embracing biodegradable plastic is to reduce environmental damage.
Businesses too are beginning to switch to biodegradable plastic in order to meet consumer demand and sustainable packaging goals.
The target market for biodegradable plastic includes consumers and businesses with the most common business applications being packaging, agriculture, consumer goods and textiles.
While many tout biodegradable plastic as the future, the biodegradable plastic market still faces some challenges, such as the need for compatible recycling infrastructure and cost-competitiveness.
Also, as the world demand for food increases more land will be needed for food production – the same land that will also be needed for producing the raw materials used in biodegradable plastic production.
So, in conclusion, biodegradable plastic shows promise and has the potential to revolutionize the plastic industry, but it still needs to overcome some challenges before it can reach its full potential.
