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Biodegradable Plastics--A Strategic Assessment of Technology Status and Application Prospects
Frost & Sullivan, March 2009, Pages: 99
This research service provides an assessment of the development status and future prospects of biodegradable plastics, distinguished by the major biodegradable polymers, namely starch-based polymers, polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). The key application sectors for biodegradable plastics have been prioritized and the business opportunities presented by the top two sectors have been evaluated in detail. Technology and application roadmapping as well as technology management strategies have also been provided.
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Biodegradable Plastics--A Strategic Assessment of Technology Status and Application Prospects provides an in-depth analysis of the market drivers and restraints, industry structure, and competitive environment besides dealing with the challenges and issues faced by the market participants. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following: starch-based polymers, polylactic acid (PLA), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), with key application sectors being packaging/plastic bags, agriculture, consumer goods, electronics, automotive, and healthcare.
Market Overview
Green Factor Enables Market Traction for Biodegradable Plastics
As biodegradable plastics fall under the 'green' category, they exhibit high potential for growth compared to other thriving environment-friendly technologies in the renewable energy and chemicals segments. Opportunities are proliferating in key application areas such as packaging/plastic bags, agriculture, consumer goods, electronics, automotive, and healthcare. Growth in this sector is spearheaded by factors such as climate change, favorable governmental measures, and green procurement policies practiced by governments as well as corporate entities. Stringent environmental regulations are driving the development of bio-based products and triggering the growth of the biodegradable plastics industry. 'Traditional packaging materials contain a range of oil-based polymers, which are largely non-biodegradable,’ notes the analyst of this research service. 'Packaging waste forms a significant part of municipal solid waste and as such has caused increasing environmental concerns, resulting in strengthening of legislation in order to reduce packaging waste.'
With the ramping up of the attraction quotient in recent years, green products are clearly gaining advocates. It has become increasingly fashionable for the public to support green products. The popularity of hybrid cars and reusable bags is a good example. Eco-friendly products are being unleashed in various sectors including food, appliances, and cars. Consumer interest in bio-based packaging is on the rise. Public support for green products is partially responsible for the biodegradable plastics market growth, and this global trend is expected to continue gathering steam for many more years to come.
Cost Constraints and Insufficient Mechanical Properties Constrain Adoption of Biodegradable Plastics
Although the overall prospects look bright, some issues have been reining in market progression. Cost competitiveness is foremost among the challenges confronting the market. To circumvent this obstacle, proposed solutions include the use of cheaper feedstock, for instance, biomass-based feedstock as well as an integrated process. Utilization of feedstock is very limited right now, and the adoption of biomass-based feedstock will mostly be influenced by the development of improved biocatalysts. Other concerns associated with biodegradable plastics are poor processability characteristics, low barrier properties toward air, water, and oxygen, low resistance to heat, and in some cases, low shelf life. 'The properties of traditional biodegradable polymers do not offer the essential mechanical properties and fail to match up to the needs of end user application compared with conventional plastics,' says the analyst. 'This acts as a barrier for the penetration of biodegradable packaging in high-end applications.' It is imperative that these impediments are expressly addressed before biodegradable products can compete on an equal footing with conventional plastics.
Properties can be improved by deploying enhanced blending technologies or by developing composites. Blending studies are underway in the academic and corporate sectors, and efforts have been initiated for the development of bio- and nanocomposites. The former incorporates bio-based materials such as natural fibers to improve the mechanical properties of biodegradable plastics, while the latter incorporates nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes to produce materials that are stronger and more durable.
Market Sectors
Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:
By End-use Vertical:
- Packaging/plastic bags
- Agriculture
- Consumer goods
- Electronics
- Automotive
- Healthcare
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
- Starch-based polymers
- Polylactic acid (PLA)
- Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)
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