Substantial growth forecast to 2020 / Demand likely to shift from renewable resources to non-biodegradable thermoplastics / Rising oil prices drive developments / Chemical majors making giant strides into the market

摘要

Bioplastic packaging currently accounts for barely more than a quarter of total bioplastics consumption, which itself represents only 1 % of the standard petrochemical-based polymer consumption. But with global packaging demand growing rapidly this picture is set to change. According to market research group Pira International (Leatherhead, Surrey / UK; www.pira-international.com) in its new report "The Future of Bioplastics for Packaging to 2020", bioplastic packaging demand, still lagging behind bioplastics as a whole, will grow "at a high rate" over the next five to ten years. In future, the researchers see demand gradually shifting from biodegradable and compostable polymers toward packaging based on renewable and sustainable materials.