The starch-based plastics market is witnessing a dynamic evolution, driven by the burgeoning demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. This eco-friendly material, derived from renewable sources like maize, potatoes, and tapioca, offers significant environmental benefits, including biodegradability and reduced carbon footprint. Consequently, the market is attracting numerous players, leading to an increasingly competitive landscape.
Strategies Adopted by Players:
-
Mergers & Acquisitions: In a bid to strengthen their market position and gain access to new technologies, companies are actively pursuing mergers and acquisitions. For instance, BASF acquired Trinseo's bioplastics business in 2020.
-
New Product Development: Companies are continuously investing in research and development to create new and improved starch-based plastics with superior properties and wider application potential.
-
Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with research institutions, universities, and other industry players are increasingly common to leverage expertise and resources for innovation and market access.
-
Focus on Regional Expansion: Leading players are expanding their operations into regions with high growth potential, such as Asia and Latin America.
-
Sustainability Initiatives: Companies are implementing various sustainability initiatives to align with consumer preferences and environmental regulations. This includes reducing their carbon footprint and improving the sustainability of their production processes.
Factors for Market Share Analysis:
-
Product Portfolio: The breadth and depth of a company's product portfolio play a crucial role in its market share. Companies offering a comprehensive range of starch-based solutions for various applications tend to have a larger market share.
-
Production Capacity: The ability to produce large volumes of high-quality starch-based plastics at competitive prices significantly influences market share.
-
Distribution Network: A strong and efficient distribution network ensures wider product availability, leading to a larger market share.
-
Brand Recognition: Companies with strong brand recognition enjoy a higher competitive advantage and attract more customers.
-
Innovation: Continuous innovation in product development and production processes allows companies to stay ahead of the competition and capture a larger market share.
Key Companies in the starch-based plastics market include
- AGRANA BETEILIGUNGS AG (Austria)
- Kuraray Co. Ltd. (Japan)
- Rodenburg Biopolymers (The Netherlands)
- Biome Bioplastics Limited (UK)
- Wittenburg Group (Flevoland)
- Nihon Cornstarch Corporation (Tokyo)
- Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan)
- Corbion N.V. (Netherlands)
- Novamont S.p.A (Italy)
- BIOTEC GmbH & Co (Germany)
- BioLogiQ (US)
- Grabio Greentech (Taiwan)
- Sunar NP (Turkey)
- Cardia Bioplastics (Austria)
- Multibax Public Co. (Thailand)
- FuturaMat (France)
News
August 2023: Novamont, an Italian bioplastics company, announced the commercial launch of its Mater-Bi NF film, a starch-based biopolymer for food contact applications with improved water resistance and printability.
September 2023: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation unveiled its BioPBS X, a new heat-resistant bioplastic derived from starch, targeted for automotive and electronics applications.
October 2023: Metabolix, a US-based bioplastics manufacturer, entered into a strategic partnership with CJ CheilJedang, a South Korean food company, to develop and commercialize bioplastics based on renewable feedstocks.
November 2023: Braskem, a Brazilian petrochemical company, announced the expansion of its production capacity for bio-based polyethylene from sugarcane, aiming to meet the growing demand for sustainable plastics.