Biodegradable Polymers: Market Report
Looking at the four main classes of biodegradable polymers, this report analyzes their key performance properties, applications development, market drivers and future prospects.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Biodegradable Polymers: Market Report
Chapter 9: Market Opportunities for Biodegradable Polymers
9.1 Introduction
During the last three years biodegradable polymers have begun to find new applications outside of their traditional market of bags, sacks and packaging. This chapter examines where biodegradable polymers are currently being used and assesses future market opportunities in the following areas:
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Packaging
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Bags and sacks
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Disposable serviceware
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Agriculture and horticulture
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Medical devices
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Consumer electronics
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Automotive
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Speciality cards
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Fibres
9.2 Packaging
The packaging market offers the greatest potential for biodegradable polymers. Packaging is by far the largest market for plastics accounting for about 30% of the 40 million tonnes of plastics consumed in the European Union. Given the growing environmental awareness of consumers and brand owners, government concerns about the growing cost of waste disposal and the developing compost infrastructure in various European countries, the packaging sector offers many opportunities for biodegradable polymers in future.
This section reviews the market opportunities for manufacturers of biodegradable plastics in packaging markets.
9.2.1 Flexible Packaging
Film, wrap and bags for food scrap, food residues and food products, destined for composting in commercial composting facilities, holds considerable potential for biodegradable plastics. Conventional plastics are a significant contaminant in organics processing and they reduce the marketability of the compost produced. These applications depend on the disposal environment being a commercial composting operation, which provides the necessary conditions for the polymer to degrade.
Another application for biodegradable plastics is for plastic films used in fresh food wrapping and plastic wrap used in the catering industry.
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