Global bioplastics production capacity will more than double to 1.7 million tons by 2015, according to a study by industry association European Bioplastics.
Capacity is predicted to pass the 1-million ton mark in 2011, up from 700,000 tons in 2010.
Biobased commodity plastics are expected to surpass biodegradable materials as the majority of production . In 2010, the bioplastics branch primarily produced biodegradable materials, totaling approximately 400,000 tons, compared with 300,000 tons of biobased commodity plastics. This ratio will be reversed in the coming years, says Hans-Josef Endres of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Hanover.
Driving the growth is the expansion of bioplastics into an increasing number of applications, including packaging, auto manufacturing and electronic components.
Europe is the world’s largest market for bioplastics and is considered the leader in research and development. But the number of production facilities is growing most rapidly in Asia and South America.
For more information, visit http://www.european-bioplastics.org.
