Starch based Plastics Market Analysis

Global Starch-based Plastics Market Overview

Starch-based Plastics Market Size was valued at USD 1.63 Billion in 2023. The starch-based plastics industry is projected to grow from USD 1.74 Billion in 2024 to USD 3.312 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.07% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Starch-based plastics are used in various end-use industries, including agriculture, automotive and transportation, consumer goods, and packaging. One of the main market drivers expected to increase demand for starch-based plastics worldwide is the swift growth of these industries.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Starch-based Plastics Market Trends

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  Use of more starch-based plastics in food packaging will spur the market growth

  
  

The packaging industry has historically relied primarily on conventional plastics, but the dynamic character of the sector has switched to bio-based polymers. The need for biodegradable packaging has expanded due to strict government regulations on conventional plastics, growing environmental concerns, and shifting consumer tastes. Additionally, the growth of the food packaging industry, which accounts for around 50% of the worldwide biodegradable plastics market, is a major driver of the need for biodegradable packaging materials. The prohibitions on plastic bags are primarily responsible for this expansion. Due to improved food organoleptic properties, less food loss, and extended shelf life, starch-based polymers are used in food packaging and edible films. Additionally, because they are odorless, non-toxic, and biodegradable, starch-based edible films have found good applicability in food packaging. They exhibit very low permeability to oxygen and are suggested for food protection to increase quality and shelf life without lowering customer appeal. Additionally, starch-based polymers can be converted into a foamed substance and pressed into disposable trays and dishes, which can dissolve in water and be eaten by the microbic environment. Thus, the rising demand for starch-based plastics in food packaging applications is anticipated to fuel the expansion of the starch-based plastics market CAGR throughout the forecast period.

Furthermore, plastic is being used more frequently in our daily lives. Traditionally, petroleum products—from fossil fuels—are used to make plastic. The automotive, construction, packaging, medical, and pharmaceutical industries are just a few of the many end-user industries that frequently use plastics. Additionally, all of these industries frequently employ single-use and non-biodegradable plastics. Starch-based plastics, cellulose-based plastics, bio-derived polyethylene, protein-based plastics, genetically modified bioplastics, and lipid-derived polymers are some of the several kinds of bioplastics that should be mentioned. They are also employed in the production of carry bags. Non-biodegradable plastics hampers the efficient operation of natural resources like water bodies and air. Burning plastic results in the release of damaging ecosystems and water quality pollutants. Additionally, plastic under the soil prevents water from penetrating and harms the agriculture sector. Governments worldwide have put restrictions on using plastics made from fossil fuels into place to prevent and resolve these problems. Thus, throughout the forecast period, the demand for plastics made from bio-based chemicals and the market for starch-based plastics are likely to be driven by the growing regulations relating to the usage of conventional plastics as a result of environmental concerns, particularly warming. Thus, driving the starch-based plastics market revenue.

Starch-based Plastics Market Segment Insights

Starch-based Plastics End-Use Insights

The starch-based plastics market segmentation, based on end-use includes automotive and transportation, agriculture, packaging, consumer goods and others. The packaging segment dominated the market. In order to extend the shelf life of food, starch-based polymers are widely utilized in the food packaging sector to create bottles, carrying bags, disposable foam dishes and trays, cups, and biodegradable films. Starch blends, PLA, PBAT, PET, PE, and PBS are a few of the most widely used bioplastics for packaging. Strong, single-use bottles made of PLA plastic also feature gloss and transparency.

Starch-based Plastics Type Insights

The starch-based plastics market segmentation, based on type, includes thermoplastic starch and starch polymer blends. The thermoplastic starch category generated the most income. When starch is combined with water or plasticizers like glycerin or sorbitol, thermoplastic starch (TPS) is created. It is commonly used to produce packaging materials such films, bags, disposable plates and bowls, loose-fill, antistatic, shaped protective packaging, and agricultural products.

Figure 1:  Starch-based Plastics Market, by Type, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Starch-based Plastics Regional Insights

By region, the study provides the market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. The North American starch-based plastics market area will dominate this market. The long-standing existence of significant end-user industries primarily supports the market in North America. A substantial desire for sustainability is another feature of the local market, which has increased demand for sustainable packaging. In North America, the U.S. held a sizable market share for starch-based plastics over the forecast period.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The US, Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2:  STARCH-BASED PLASTICS MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe starch-based plastics market accounts for the second-largest market share. The presence of state-of-the-art research and development facilities and government legislation with stringent carbon footprint reduction standards are to blame for the market's expansion. Additionally, a variety of vital applications, such as bottles, shopping bags, loose packaging, and films for agricultural mulch, widely utilize bioplastics. Over 100 billion bags are used every year in the European Union. Bioplastics are becoming more widely accepted by customers across all of Europe. Further, the German starch-based plastics market held the largest market share, and the UK starch-based plastics market was the fastest growing market in the European region

The Asia-Pacific Starch-based plastics Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. The rise of the market can be due to the rising urbanization and industrialization in the Asia-Pacific region's developing economies, particularly in India and other South East Asian nations. Market expansion is fueled by the high population density in the area and the extensive use of bioplastics made of starch. Additionally, China controls the Asia-Pacific market for plastics made from starch, manufacturing more than half of the entire volume and market value in the area. Moreover, China’s starch-based plastics market held the largest market share, and the Indian starch-based plastics market was the fastest growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Starch-based Plastics Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development in order to expand their product lines, which will help the starch-based plastics market, grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking a variety of strategic activities to expand their footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. To expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate, starch-based plastics industry must offer cost-effective items.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics used by manufacturers in the starch-based plastics industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the starch-based plastics industry has offered some of the most significant advantages to market. Major players in the starch-based plastics market attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations 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), and FuturaMat (France).

Manufacturer of synthetic and chemical fibers, Kuraray Co Ltd (Kuraray). Chemicals, resins, fibers, high-performance materials, and pharmaceuticals are all developed and sold by this company. In addition to the gas barrier material EVAL, the company also produces derivatives of vinyl acetate, isoprene, and methacrylate, as well as medicinal products and environmentally friendly goods. It provides engineering, design, building, and maintenance services for facilities manufacturing chemicals, food, medicines, and electronic materials. In November 2022, utilizing recycled raw materials from the MAGIC TAPETM series of polyester hook-and-loop fasteners, Kuraray Co. Ltd. created the new product. The product was introduced in November 2022 as a sustainable material for clothes and other producers in an effort to realize a circular economy.

The company Toray Industries Inc. sells cutting-edge materials. The company's product line consists of fibers, clothing, plastics, chemicals, composite materials, life sciences products, medical equipment, drugs, and optical goods. Additionally, it offers polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, water treatment membranes, carbon fibers, and carbon fiber composites. The clothing, industrial materials, automotive, construction, water treatment, and medical industries all employ its goods. Additionally, it offers services for physical assessment, analysis, and research.

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)

Starch-based Plastics Industry Developments

January 2023: Kuraray decided to increase the cost of GENESTARTM heat-resistant polyamide resin beginning on or after February 1, 2023, for domestic and international shipments. GENESTARTM is a polyamide engineering plastic made from a special monomer with various uses, from automobile parts to electrical and electronic components.

January 2021: It is also a big improvement for Trinseo's bioplastics offering that the company has finished extending its thermoplastic elastomers R&D Centre in Mussolente, Italy. Trinseo will benefit from stronger R&D capabilities as a result of the facility expansion to create new and upgraded bioplastic materials that will satisfy the demands of the market and its clients.

Starch-based Plastics Market Segmentation

Starch-based Plastics End-Use Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2032)

• Automotive and Transportation


• Agriculture


• Packaging


• Consumer Goods


• Others

Starch-based Plastics Type Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2032)

• Thermoplastic Starch 


• Starch Polymer Blends

Starch-based Plastics Regional Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2032)

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America