Bioplastics: Where are we now?

A recent report by market research company IDTechEx titled, “Bioplastics 2020-2025”, forecasts global plastics production to pass 600 million tonnes by 2030. 

However, there are often issues around the recycling of plastics. Therefore, a potential solution to the world’s plastic problem is the growing bioplastics industry. Although only around half of the bioplastics produced globally are biodegradable, they are renewably sourced.

Bioplastics are not without their own issues and are often significantly more expensive than plastics – an additional cost consumers and businesses aren’t usually willing to pay for.

Companies are working hard to try and produce cheap biobased polymers at scale. A start-up in California, Newlight Technologies, claims that its AirCarbon brand bioplastic, produced by ocean bacteria from waste gases from the dairy industry, is cheaper to produce than conventional plastics.

IDTechEx’s report reviews a range of available bioplastics, as well as evaluating the benefits and challenges with production.