01 Increasing Environmental Concerns Growing concern about environmental issues like plastic pollution and climate change is boosting demand for sustainable materials like PBS. As governments, industry, and consumers seek alternatives to traditional plastics, the market for biodegradable polymers such as PBS expands significantly.According to the Plastic Overshoot Day research, worldwide short-life plastic manufacturing is anticipated to exceed 159 Megatons by 2023. The BAU scenario predicts global annual plastic pollution emissions will reach 50.5 MT/year in 2023 and 66.1 MT/year by 2050. However, much plastic trash is in landfills or the environment, causing pollution and ecosystem damage. Surveys and studies show that people are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of plastic garbage. For example, a Nielsen survey indicated that 81% of global respondents strongly believe businesses should improve the environment, showing a shift in customer preferences toward sustainable products and packaging materials.Furthermore, governments worldwide enact legislation and policies to combat plastic pollution and promote renewable materials. The EU also intends to reduce the usage of other single-use plastics through awareness-raising efforts. Microplastics will be banned from the market on October 17, 2023, whether on their own or purposely added to items. This includes plastic glitter unless it's biodegradable or soluble. In July 2023, France and India announced a mutual commitment to reduce single-use plastic pollution, including a ban on plastic products with poor usefulness and high littering potential.Additionally, in November 2023, 175 countries agreed to negotiate legally enforceable agreements on plastic pollution by 2024, including creating a Global Plastics Treaty. In May 2023, WWF urged governments to embrace global bans and phase-outs of the "most high-risk and unnecessary" single-use plastics. These include plastic cutlery, e-cigarettes, and microplastics in cosmetics.Thus, as awareness grows and regulatory pressures increase, the market for PBS is projected to expand dramatically, providing long-term solutions to global environmental concerns.
01 price Competitiveness Due to raw material and manufacturing process costs, PBS production costs are often higher than traditional plastics such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). This price gap can make it difficult for PBS makers to compete with conventional plastics, particularly in price-sensitive areas like packaging and consumer goods.In addition, biodegradable plastics, such as Poly(Butylene Succinate) (PBS), are typically more expensive than traditional plastics, costing 20-80% more to manufacture. This is primarily owing to increased polymerization costs, as most techniques are still being developed and have yet to achieve economies of scale. High R&D expenditures, high raw material costs, and low production quantities all contribute to the increased cost. For example, standard plastic resin typically costs USD 1.2/Kg, but biodegradable resin costs around USD 3/Kg.Moreover, price sensitivity among consumers and industries may limit PBS adoption, especially when cost is a significant factor in purchase decisions. For example, in the packaging business, where margins are frequently limited, manufacturers may choose cost-effective solutions over sustainable options such as PBS if the price difference is significant. Furthermore, competition from other biodegradable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), which may have lower manufacturing costs or superior performance attributes in specific applications, exacerbates PBS's price competitiveness dilemma.
01 sustainable Packaging Solutions With rising environmental concerns and governmental pressure to reduce plastic waste, there is a greater need for sustainable packaging alternatives. PBS, biodegradable and created from renewable resources, allows manufacturers to offer eco-friendly packaging alternatives to traditional plastics. Creating novel PBS-based packaging materials for various uses, including food packaging, disposable containers, and bags, can benefit from this opportunity while meeting the needs of ecologically conscious customers and businesses.In addition, primary food and beverage firms also switch to biodegradable packaging materials to decrease plastic waste and improve brand image. Nestlé, for example, has ambitions to move to 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025, and some of its products currently use biodegradable packaging. Similarly, PepsiCo has pledged to use 100% recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable packaging by 2025. Furthermore, The Coca-Cola Company intends to use at least 50% recycled material in its packaging by 2030. BlueTriton Brands plans to make 100% beverage packaging from an average of 50% recycled or renewable material by 2030.Moreover, PBS-based packaging materials have numerous advantages, including biodegradability, compostability, and compatibility with existing packaging machines. They can be utilized for various packaging applications, including flexible films, rigid containers, trays, and bags, meeting the diversified needs of the food and beverage industry. Collaborations and partnerships among PBS manufacturers, packaging businesses, and food producers are accelerating innovation in sustainable packaging solutions. By collaborating to develop PBS-based packaging materials that meet performance, cost, and environmental criteria, stakeholders can speed up the adoption of biodegradable packaging and contribute to a more sustainable future.
May 2026 Mitsubishi Chemical announced its withdrawal from the Polybutylene Succinate (PBS) business and the dissolution of PTT MCC Biochem, following the termination of BioPBS™ production, marking a significant restructuring in the biodegradable polymer industry.
March 2026 PTT MCC Biochem showcased new BioPBS™ applications, including home-compostable coffee capsules and high-barrier paper packaging solutions, at THAIFEX–HOREC Asia 2026, highlighting continued product innovation ahead of its planned business withdrawal.
September 2025 BASF expanded its biodegradable polymer portfolio by advancing specialty biopolymer solutions for sustainable packaging and agricultural applications, reinforcing its position in the bio-based plastics sector alongside PBS materials.