Market analysis of global biodegradable plastics industry in 2020: market demand continues to increase; packaging industry is the largest application market

1.Under the influence of the global "plastic restriction" and "plastic ban" laws, the demand for biodegradable plastics continues to grow

In recent years, Europe, the United States, Japan and other developed countries and regions have successively formulated and promulgated relevant laws and regulations, limiting the use of non degradable plastics by means of partial prohibition, restriction, compulsory collection and collection of pollution tax, and vigorously develop full biodegradation to protect the environment and soil. For example, the Ministry of environment of South Korea confirmed that large-scale enterprises in South Korea has banned from 2019 using disposable plastic bags to further reduce "white pollution".

In addition, the European Parliament has also passed a proposal called "the most forbidden plastic order in history". From 2021, the EU will completely ban all disposable production of alternative materials such as cardboard. Driven by the "plastic restriction" and "plastic ban" decrees issued by EU, South Korea, Australia and other regions, the global demand for biodegradable plastics has maintained a sustained growth trend.

According to the research report data released by IHS Markit, the global demand for biodegradable plastics was 269000 tons in 2012, 360000 tons in 2018, and the corresponding market size was 1.1 billion US dollars, with an annual compound growth rate of 5%. In 2023, the global demand for biodegradable plastics will increase to 550000 tons, corresponding to the market size of 1.7 billion US dollars. From 2018 to 2023, the annual compound growth rate of demand for biodegradable plastics will be 9%.

2.Global capacity of biodegradable plastics continues to expand

According to the data released by the European bioplastics Association, as of August 2018, the global annual production capacity of bioplastics was 2.11 million tons, of which biodegradable plastics (including PBAT, PBS, PLA, PHA, starch based degradable plastics and other biodegradable plastics) accounted for 43.2%, 911000 tons. Starch based degradable plastics are 384000 tons, accounting for 42.1% of the global biodegradable plastics production capacity.

In December 2018, total corbion PLA announced that the new factory in Thailand with an annual capacity of 75000 tons of PLA bioplastics was officially put into operation.

In November 2018, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has an annual output of 50000 tons of carbon dioxide based biodegradable plastics production line. By the end of December 2018, the global annual production capacity of biodegradable plastics will be about 1.1 million tons, with a year-on-year increase of 25%.

3. Western European countries are the main consumer market of biodegradable plastics

In 2018, Western Europe, which has the most stringent regulations on the use of disposable plastic products, accounted for 55% of global consumption of biodegradable plastics, Asia and Oceania (Australia and New Zealand) accounted for 25% of global consumption, North America 19% and other regions and countries about 1%.

4. Packaging industry is the main downstream application market

Packaging industry is the largest application market of biodegradable plastics, accounting for about 57%. In the field of food packaging, the demand for biodegradable plastics is growing rapidly. Disposable tableware, food packaging and plastic bags are the largest end markets of biodegradable plastics, and are also the engine to promote the growth of biodegradable plastics market demand.

Compost bags are the second largest end market of biodegradable plastics. With the expansion of composting facilities and the improvement of landfill requirements, the market demand for compost bags is growing rapidly.

Foam packaging is an important market for biodegradable plastics in Western Europe and North America. Plastic film and other agricultural applications are important user terminals for biologic crops in Western Europe and Asia.

For the above data sources, please refer to the analysis report on the in-depth investigation and investment strategic planning of China's biodegradable plastics industry issued by prospective industry research institute. Meanwhile, prospective industry research institute also provides industrial big data, industrial planning, industrial declaration, industrial park planning, industrial investment promotion and other solutions.