Bioplastics production capacity to quadruple by 2028

Global production capacity for bioplastics will almost quadruple within the next five years, according to estimates of the Nova Institute on behalf Europan Bioplastics (EUBP, Berlin). According to the market study, the production volume will increase from the current level of around 2.2 million tonnes per year to almost 7.5 million tonnes per year.

The expansion will be driven by the increasing demand for green material, said Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director of the EUBP. Technical developments in the field of biopolymers such as PLA, PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) and polyamides are also making rapid progress. The proportion of biodegradable plastics in the total volume of bioplastics will increase from the current 52% to 62% in 2028. For PHA, an increase from 4.8% to 13.5% is expected for the same period.

At the end of January, the association had published a Policy Manifesto, calling on the future European Commission and co-legislators (EU) to develop a comprehensive Biopolymers Industrial Action Plan to accelerate the growth of the bioplastics industry. EUBP recommends to harmonise regulations to create a fair level playing field for bioplastics incentivising access to sustainable biomass, increase funding for scaling up bioplastics production, and to close infrastructure gaps to create better access to food waste

“Bioplastics have the potential to play a significant role in reducing the environmental impact of plastics”, emphasised Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director of EUBP. “However, the industry needs a clear and supportive policy framework to reach its full potential.”

The Manifesto is supported by a wide range of stakeholders, including bioplastics producers, converters, and end-users.