Global Markets and Technologies for Bioplastics

SCOPE AND FORMAT

The focus of this report is on plastics made from renewable resources such as biomass or food crops.  There is even some potential development of bioplastics from animal resources.  Plastics that may be potentially made from waste carbon dioxide are reviewed because of their potential impact on bioplastics, but their data is not included in the forecasts presented here.  Bioplastics are further defined here as polymer materials that are produced by synthesizing—chemically or biologically—materials that contain renewable organic materials.  Natural organic materials that are not chemically modified (e.g., wood composites) are excluded.  The report includes the use of renewable resources to create monomers that replace petroleum-based monomers, such as feedstocks made from sugarcane that are used to manufacture polyester and polyethylene.  Ethanol, a major product in Brazil, is one small chemical step from ethylene.

The focal point is on the following resin chemistries:

• Polylactic acid.
• Thermoplastic starch.
• Bio-polyamides (nylons).
• Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).
• Bio-polyols and polyurethane.
• Cellulosics.
• Bio-polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT).
• Bio-polyethylene.
• Bio-polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Biodegradable and photodegradable polymers made from petrochemical feedstocks are not included.  Other renewable resin chemistries are also covered but in less detail, as their roles are not as well-developed.  These include collagen and chitosan.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used in preparing this report.  Extensive searches were made of literature and Internet resources, including many of the leading trade publications, as well as technical compendia, government publications and information from trade and other associations.  Many background sources were used to develop chemical and property descriptions, but all forecasts are solely attributable to BCC Research.

TARGET AUDIENCE OF THE STUDY

Due to the growing concern about climate change and negative health impacts of many existing materials, this report will be of interest to anyone who sells, designs or manufactures products that are or could be made from polymeric materials.  This report will also be of value to individuals who are helping to establish public policy concerning issues ranging from limits on use of plastics packaging to potential limits on use of vinyl compounds in medical applications.

This report will be of value to technical and business personnel in the following areas:

• Personnel in end-user companies in a wide range of industries, from retail bags to auto manufacturing.
• Marketing and management personnel in companies that produce, market and sell any type of plastics.
• Companies involved in the design and construction of process plants that manufacture resins and products made from the resins.
• Companies that supply or want to supply equipment and services to plastics companies.
• Financial institutions that supply money for such facilities and systems, including banks, merchant bankers and venture capitalists.
• Investors in both equity and fixed-income markets; the fate of the plastics weighs heavily on the values of the publicly traded stocks of companies such as Eastman, Bayer, DSM and DuPont.
• Personnel in government at many levels, ranging from federal to state and local authorities, many of whom are involved in trying to ensure public health and safety; the report also will be of interest to military scientists studying new packaging and equipment.