Biodegradable plastics can be degraded by microbial activity in the environment by entering the microbial food chain. These plastics are developed from polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, starch blends, polybutylene succinate, etc. The bio-plastics or biodegradable plastics are engineered to minimize the environmental pollution, lowering manufacturing energy consumption and reduce landfill issues.
Growing awareness among customers about adverse effects of conventional plastics
The customers in developed and developing countries have more awareness of the ill effects of conventional plastics on their lifestyle and the environment. As a result, they demand more environmentally friendly products, which leads to a depreciation in the use of crude oil and natural gas, that results in the reduction carbon footprints. Biodegradable plastic is a surrogate for nearly all conventional plastics used in a diverse range of applications. These plastics offer innovative alternatives with enhanced properties, along with distinctive ability to lessen the emissions as well as provide the same qualities and functionalities as that of conventional plastics. The biodegradable plastics are synthesized using renewable resources as well as fossil raw materials, such as cellulose ester, PLA, PHA, starch derivatives, and copolyesters (PBS, PBAT, etc.).
Various organizations are engaged in bringing transformation in the handling of plastics, through strategic planning, communication, consumer awareness campaigns, documentary films, education, clean up campaigns, raising business awareness, scientific research, entrepreneurial innovation, legislation, and sustainability. The key aim is to educate the users regarding plastic pollution, thereby encouraging the invention of more sustainable solutions, and empowerment of more people and business organizations to take action to stop plastic pollution. Therefore, the revolution in consumer demand on the basis of environmental awareness, packaging convenience, and sustainable plastic production systems is boosting the biodegradable plastic market growth.
A few players operating in the biodegradable plastics market are BASF SE; Novamont SpA; NatureWorks LLC; Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation; Total Corbion PLA; Plantic Technologies Limited; Kingfa Sci. & Tech. Co., Ltd; Green Dot Bioplastics; FKuR Kunststoff GmbH; API SpA; amongst few others.
