Biodegradable Film Market

Biodegradable Film Market Outlook for 2024 to 2034

The biodegradable film market is anticipated to be worth USD 1,258.4 million in 2024. The market is expected to grow at a normal rate over the period from 2024 to 2034, with a CAGR of 4.1%. By the end of the forecast period, the market value is predicted to hit USD 1,880.7 million.

Attributes	Details
Biodegradable Film Market Value for 2024	USD 1,258.4 million
Projected Market Value for 2034	USD 1,880.7 million
Value-based CAGR of Market for 2024 to 2034	4.1%

Global Biodegradable Film Market Insights

• As part of the sustainability drive, the inclination toward biodegradable products in the packaging sector is helping demand to expand for biodegradable films.
• Emergence of biodegradable mulch films is seeing the gardening and agriculture sectors become a prominent avenue for growth in the market.
• Imposition of stringent regulations on single-use plastic is seeing stakeholders in the packaging industry turn towards green film options like biodegradable films.
• Addition of bioactive ingredients like antioxidants and pigments is seeing the capabilities of biodegradable films rise, and seeing their adoption increase in the food industry.
• Cosmetics industry’s commitment to sustainability is seeing it embrace biodegradable films at a higher rate.

Trends in Biodegradable Film Market

• With waste prevention a common cause of concern for both consumers and manufacturers, biodegradable films’ minimal waste generation is seeing them rise in popularity.
• Disposable ways of serving food are prevalent in hospitals and biodegradable films, with their disposable and convenient nature, are finding increasing acceptance in medical facilities.
• Growing demand for secure meat and fish packaging options is benefitting the biodegradable film market.
• Bioplastics are being resorted to by manufacturers to move towards sustainable ways of packaging while still retaining the benefits of plastics. Thus, bioplastics are being increasingly used in biodegradable films.
• Biodegradable nature of the films varies, for example additive based films are ill-equipped to degrade in landfills, and thus apprehension about the degrading ability of the films sees market demand deteriorate.
• Biodegradable films struggle to provide the same security as their plastic counterparts and thus a limit is placed on the market’s growth. However, manufacturers are working towards making biodegradable films tougher to increase the product’s scope.
• Different biodegradable films take different amounts of time to degrade, and the long amount of time taken by some of them, such as starch-based ones, makes consumers hesitant about the films.

Category-wise Outlook

Polylactic acid (PLA) has emerged as the top material used in the making of biodegradable films. The use of the films in bags and sacks overwhelms all other uses.

Economical Sourcing of Polylactic Acid Endears the Material to Manufacturers

For 2024, polylactic acid is expected to account for 37.6% of the market share by material. Some of the key drivers for the increasing use of polylactic acid in biodegradable films are:

• Polyatlic acid is derived from renewable sources and thus, with manufacturers of biodegradable films already concentrated on sustainability, the material is becoming commonplace in the films.
• Compared to other materials like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polylactic acid is a cheaper alternative and is thus earning the confidence of manufacturers.

Attributes	Details
Top Material	Polylactic acid (PLA)
Market Share (2024)	37.6%

Increasing Use of Bags and Sacks in Food Packaging Lending Growth to Biodegradable Film Use

Bags and sacks are anticipated to account for 31.1% of the market share in 2024. Some of the key drivers for the progress of biodegradable films in bags and sacks include:

• Increasing consumer reliance on the likes of carrier bags and vegetable bags is seeing their production amplify and biodegradable films are being used to make them sustainable.
• Increasing use of refuse sacks for waste disposal, and the need to make them sustainable, is seeing the growing use of biodegradable films in their manufacture.

Attributes	Details
Top Application	Bags and Sacks
Market Share (2024)	31.1%

Country-wise Analysis

Simultaneous growth of the food and packaging sectors bodes well for the biodegradable film industry in the Asia Pacific. Restrictions on the production of single-use plastic are also set to propel the market in the region.

Manufacturing industry moving towards eco-friendly production, gradually in some cases and rapidly in others, is helping the market’s cause in Europe. Focus of North American consumers on sustainable materials in food packaging is boosting the market in North America.

Countries	CAGR
Thailand	4.7%
Canada	3.7%
United Kingdom	3.8%
China	5.1%
India	5.7%

Discovery of Innovative Materials Packing the Punch for Biodegradable Films in Thailand

The market is set to register a CAGR of 4.7% in Thailand for the forecast period. The key drivers for growth are:

• New materials for manufacturing biodegradable films are being discovered in Thailand, thereby keeping the market demand fresh. For example, a team of scientists led by Taweechai Amornsakchai from Mahidol University, along with their Malaysian counterparts, developed a way to make biodegradable films from pineapple stems in 2023.
• Manufacture of biodegradable films from starches like corn and tapioca is sweetening the deal for the market in the country.

Expansion of Packaging Facilities by Major Players is Aiding the Market in Canada

The CAGR for the biodegradable film market in Canada is tipped to be 3.7% over the forecast period. Some of the key factors driving the growth are:

• Prominent packaging producers expanding production faculties, for example, Polykar Industries, are plastering the market with positivity in Canada.
• Imposition of strict sustainability standards by the government in Canada is seeing more companies in the food and beverage sector take the help of green packaging solutions like biodegradable films.

Agricultural Practices Getting More Sustainable is Seeing the Demand for Biodegradable Films Sprout in the United Kingdom

The CAGR for the biodegradable film market in the United Kingdom is tipped to be 3.8% over the forecast period. Some of the key factors driving the growth are:

• Farming practices in the United Kingdom are getting more sustainable, which is leading to greater use of biodegradable mulch films in the country. Projects like AgriFlex are keeping the sustainability trend going in the country’s agricultural sector and benefitting the market.
• Food sector in the United Kingdom is witnessing revolutions when it comes to sustainable packaging and the scope of biodegradable films is widening as a result. For example, Two Famers is using a eucalyptus cellulose film in the packaging of their chips.

Foreign Investments in the Packaging Industry is Increasing the Scope of Local Players in China

The market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.1% in China for the forecast period. Some of the key trends include:

• Foreign companies are taking the plunge into the Chinese market after sensing the opportunities present in the country. For example, Dutch organization TotalEnergies Corbion partnered with Xiamen Changsu Industrial Pte Ltd. to enhance the production of polylactic acid.
• Rising use of cosmetics with sustainable packaging is portending positive things for the market in China.

Research from the University Level Helping Biodegradable Films to Expand their Capabilities in India

The market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.7% in India over the forecast period. Some of the key trends include:

• Research at the university level is seeing exciting new materials being developed for biodegradable films in India. For example, researchers from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) have developed an optically active biodegradable nanocomposite film, while those at IIT Bombay have developed a film made from edible sugar.
• Use of biodegradable films in agriculture is being encouraged by the government in India. Thus, in June 2022, a corn starch-based biodegradable film was unveiled for agricultural use in India.

Competitive Landscape in the Biodegradable Film Market

Development of new materials for biodegradable films is a key concern for market players. Thus, they are increasingly seeking investment from both public and private sources.

Futamura Chemicals, a prominent company in the market, has an extensive range of biodegradable films on offer, with the cellulose films of the company being especially popular. To keep up, other market players are establishing collaborations with end-user industries.

Recent Developments in the Biodegradable Film Market

• In December 2021, a collaboration between scientists at Harvard University and Nanyang Technological University produced a new biodegradable film made from corn protein.
• In October 2021, Rollpack was acquired by Walki Group, with the latter expanding its footprint in the market.
• In February 2022, it was announced that SRF would open a BOPP film manufacturing facility in Indore, India, with biodegradable films also on the agenda.

Key Companies in the Biodegradable Film Market

• Futamura Chemical Co. Ltd.
• Taghleef Industries
• Walki Group Oy
• BioBag Americas, Inc.
• Avery Dennison Corporation
• Plascon Group
• Bi-Ax International Inc.
• Cortec Corporation
• Polystar Plastics Ltd.
• Layfield Group
• Paco Label
• Groupe Barbier
• TRIOWORLD INDUSTRIER AB
• Clondalkin Group

Key Coverage in the Biodegradable Film Industry Report

• Biodegradable Films Market Global Forecast
• Biodegradable Films Industry Size and Share Analysis
• Biodegradable Mulch Film Market Report
• Biodegradable films value share analysis of eco-friendly film industry
• Sustainable packaging film market coverage
• Green film market report

Key Segments

By Material:

• Polylactic Acid (PLA)
• Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)
• Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)
• Cellulose Based
• Starch-Based

By Application:

• Pouches
• Bags & Sacks
• Tubes
• Liners & Lidding Films
• Sachets & Stick Packs
• Tapes & Labels
• Wraps/Rolls

By End Use:

• Food
  • Meat, Seafood, and Poultry
  • Ready-to-Eat Meals
  • Dairy
  • Bakery and Confectionery
  • Fresh Produce
• Beverages
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
• Home Care
• Personal Care
• Healthcare
• Electronics & Electricals
• Other Industrial Goods

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia
• East Asia
• Oceania
• Middle East and Africa (MEA)

Frequently Asked Questions

How Big is the Biodegradable Film Market?

The biodegradable film market size is expected to be worth USD 1,258.4 million in 2024.

How Big Will the Biodegradable Film Market Be in 2034?

The biodegradable film market is estimated to get as big as USD 1,880.7 million in 2034.

How will the Biodegradable Film Market Progress in the United Kingdom?

The CAGR of the biodegradable film market during the 2024 to 2034 period in the United Kingdom is estimated to be 3.8%.

What are the Segments of the Biodegradable Film Market?

The biodegradable film market can be divided into the following segments: material, application, and end use.

What is the Scope of the Biodegradable Film Market?

The biodegradable film market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% over the period from 2024 to 2034.