Plastic has long been the material of choice for packaging. However, because synthetic polymers can't degrade naturally, this negatively impacts the environment and human health. Globally, sustainability is currently in vogue. One way to encourage sustainable living is to use sustainable packaging. Packaging made from compostable plastic is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. The plastic packaging materials PHA, PLA, PBS, PBAT, and starch blends can all be composted. These compostable polymers mimic the advantageous qualities of conventional plastic, such as barrier properties, durability, shelf stability, etc., except that they are completely compostable. PHA, one of the main ingredients for compostable plastic types, has yet to be widely commercialized because of high price issues. Several producers are currently implementing various strategies to lower the cost of PHA and maintain steady demand. Only 15 to 20 manufacturers operating in this market; most take care of the initial raw material processing. Due to the high demand for compostable plastic, these businesses' production capacities are changing quickly, and similar trends are anticipated throughout the forecast period.
Utilizing compostable plastic reduces carbon footprint by 42%. Due to these cutting-edge technical features and functionalities, major corporations like Coca-Cola, Nestle, Nike, and Ford are interested in producing and using compostable plastic materials in various applications. Increasing consumer awareness of sustainable products connected to urgent environmental issues, such as global warming, is driving the adoption of compostable plastic materials. Users favor bioplastics in various industries, such as catering, packaging, agriculture, and automotive. Compostable plastics are suitable for use in organic farming. Agricultural and horticultural farmers use mulching films. They decompose on the earth's surface using plant pots and fertilizer rods. Customers favor compostable plastic packaging over synthetic plastic packaging because it decomposes alongside food. Due to its high biodegradability, lack of toxicity, environmental friendliness, and ability to directly replace conventional plastic, compostable plastic is preferred. It has emerged as one of the market's key growth drivers.
As consumer environmental concerns grow, businesses use sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to develop and strengthen their brand image. For instance, leading companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo focus on using bio-based PLA, PSA, and other bottles for beverage packaging. The high cost of bioplastics is a significant factor limiting the industry's growth. The fluctuating price of crude oil, which raises the price of heteroplastic, can solve this issue. This issue can be resolved by enhancing R&D and reducing reliance on petroleum resources. The sector is anticipated to use a forward integration strategy to create its value chain because it has a robust infrastructure and capital base. PepsiCo’s “green” PET bottle is entirely composed of biomaterials and shares the same molecular structure. Additionally, due to advancements in R&D, a small number of PLA and PBAT-based food packaging products are being created.
Europe is the highest contributor to the global compostable plastic market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 14.8% during the forecast period. The promotion of sustainable and biodegradable government and environmental policies by European associations is a significant factor fueling the growth of the European market for compostable plastic. A rise in consumer demand for compostable goods sparks the growth of plastic products in Europe. Compostable products are preferred over conventional plastic ones by European consumers due to their benefits for the environment. Europe thus controls a sizable revenue market share in the global compostable plastic market. The legal framework and policies in Europe encourage the widespread use of products made of compostable plastic, which presents opportunities for market expansion. The government's encouragement of makers of compostable goods through its supportive policies is another significant factor influencing European market expansion.
North America is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 15.7% during the forecast period. The North American market is rapidly growing due to the addition of new manufacturing facilities. Supportive government regulations and policies for the production and consumption of sustainable products, as well as the rise in consumer environmental consciousness, influence manufacturers of synthetic plastics to favor the production of compostable plastic materials. Consumers prefer compostable plastic packaging due to growing environmental concerns about the non-degradability of synthetic plastic packaging materials. Additionally, the presence of informed consumers with significant purchasing power, high levels of environmental awareness, and a legal and regulatory environment are predicted to support the growth of the North American compostable plastic market. The increasing demand for compostable plastic cups in restaurants and confectioneries will drive the market demand.
The global compostable plastic market’s major key players are Cargill Incorporated, PTT MCC Biochem Co., Ltd., Biome Technologies plc, Cardia Bioplastics, Grabio Greentech Corporation, Northern Technologies International Corporation, S.K. Chemicals Co., Ltd., Minima Technology Co. Ltd., Biotec Pvt. Ltd., Green Dot Holdings LLC, Plantic Technologies Limited, BASF SE, Total Corbion PLA, Synbra Technology BV, Futerro, Novamont SpA, NatureWorks LLC, Eastman Chemical Company, Trinseo, Danimer Scientific, FKuR Kunststoff GmbH.