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Home Biopolymers Biodegradable Plastics 720 mil lbs in 2012
Biodegradable Plastics 720 mil lbs in 2012
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U.S. Demand for Biodegradable Plastic To Reach 720 Million lbs in 2012

 
August 29, 2008 - The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) - Tech Focus Website (contact direct)  --   Demand for biodegradable plastic in the U.S. is projected to rise more than 15%/yr to 720 million lbs in 2012, valued at $845 million. Although representing less than 0.5% of all thermoplastic-resin demand in 2007, biodegradable plastic will have substantial growth opportunities. Escalating crude-oil prices have made biodegradable plastics, which are sourced from renewable resources, more cost-competitive with petroleum-based conventional resin. However, continued price declines are necessary for demand for biodegradables to grow, and among the threats to further declines in prices are rapidly rising prices for corn. These and other trends are presented in Biodegradable Plastic, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc.

"US demand for biodegradable plastic will grow 15.5 percent annually through 2012. Gains will be driven by escalating costs for petroleum-based resins and growing initiatives that favor renewable resources. Polyester-based and polylactic acid resins will grow the fastest, while starch-based types remain the largest segment." -  The Freedonia Group website


Demand for starch-based plastic will increase 16.8%/yr to 293 million lbs in 2012 as a result of improved resin blends and opportunities in such areas as compostable yard and kitchen bags, as well as food-service items such as plates, bowls and cutlery. PLA demand will expand nearly 20%/yr owing to capacity additions and broadened applications brought about by resin improvements, plus greater processor familiarity. Good opportunities are expected for PLA in areas such as thermoformed food packaging and bedding and apparel fibers.

Demand for polyester-based biodegradables will exhibit rapid annual growth of nearly 25% through 2012. Gains will reflect significant capacity advances, a more competitive pricing structure, and opportunities in film and fiber products.

Packaging, which accounted for nearly three-quarters of all biodegradable-plastic use in 2007, will present the largest gains through 2012. Fiber markets will exhibit rapid growth, mainly in bedding, apparel and nonwoven areas. Further fiber advances will be constrained by the entrenched position of traditional materials such as cotton. Other biodegradable-plastic uses include carpet, coatings, and injection- and blow molded products.

For information on SPE’s GPEC®, please click here:  www.4spe.org/conf/gpec09/09gpec.php.
Biodegradable Plastic (published August 2008, 199 pages) is available for $4600 from The Freedonia Group, Inc., 767 Beta Drive, Cleveland, OH 44143-2326 USA. For further details, contact Corinne Gangloff by phone +1 440-684-9600, fax +1 440-646-0484, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Information can also be obtained through www.freedoniagroup.com.  
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