Bio-based production today is seen as a central element to a future bioeconomy and a key component of a more sustainable and less wasteful circular economy. Within this space, bioplastics are still a niche, but fast-growing potential outlet for the sugar industry. New production capacity is being installed by several companies around the world, and bioplastics are attracting the attention of policymakers because of their use of renewable resources and implications for sustainable development, within the context of a wider bioeconomy.

This paper assesses the current market situation for production diversification into higher added-value products, such as bioplastics, and investigates how sugar crops fit within its feedstock market. Sugar-based substrates require minimal preparation before fermentation, offering advantages to other feedstocks. Part one investigates these advantages. Several types of bioplastics exist today, containing different properties which makes them suitable for a range of applications, and these markets are explored.

Part two examines the leading industry players today and which products and technologies leading firms have identified as having commercial potential. Finally, part three examines existing regulations and policies around the globe providing support to bioplastics markets and potential barriers and challenges that the sector faces. A lack of standardization and regulation has made it difficult for policy to specifically support bioplastics which could have consequences for trade. Furthermore, while cost-profiles are improving, production costs remain relatively high for some types of bioplastics, when compared to petrochemical alternatives. Furthermore, end-of-life options differ for various bioplastics, which can result in inadequate recycling and disposal infrastructures for some and prompting additional investment. This has led to a faster growth in “drop in” bioplastics – such as PE and PET – compared to their biodegradable counterparts.

Contents:

Introduction.........................................................................1
Chapter 1: The Bioplastics Market......................................2
1.1 The circular economy and the role of bio-products ......2
1.2 Bioplastics – The fundamentals....................................3
1.2.1 Sugar crops and bioproducts.....................................3
1.2.2 Bioplastics types........................................................5
1.3 Bioplastics – Existing markets, size, trends .............. 12
1.3.1 Market size, geography, and trends........................ 12
1.3.2 Applications ............................................................ 14

Chapter 2: Leading Industry Players............................... 18
2.1 Amyris........................................................................ 18
2.2 Annelotech ................................................................ 18
2.3 Braskem..................................................................... 19
2.4 BASF Corporation...................................................... 20
2.5 Bio-On, S.P.A............................................................. 20
2.6 The Coca-Cola Company........................................... 21
2.7 NatureWorks ............................................................. 21
2.8 Total Corbion PLA ................................................... ..22

Chapter 3: Policy, Regulation, Barriers & Challenges .... 23
3.1 Regulation and Policy ............................................... 23
3.2 Barriers & other challenges....................................... 29

Conclusion....................................................................... 30