US Biodegradable Plastics Market

US Biodegradable Plastics Market

US demand to grow nearly 20% annually through 2012
Demand for biodegradable plastic in the US is forecast to expand nearly 16 percent per year to 720 million pounds in 2012, valued at $845 million. Average prices will continue to decline as a result of higher capacity and greater production efficiencies, as well as price mixes reflecting fastest growth for the lower priced resins. Myriad opportunities are anticipated based on a more competitive pricing structure, increased competitiveness with petroleum-based polymers, and growing environmental, governmental and consumer initiatives for greater use of sustainable resources. Biodegradable plastic applications are also being expanded by developing testing and certification standards and enhanced performance properties brought about by more sophisticated polymerization and blending techniques.

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INTRODUCTION

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

II. MARKET ENVIRONMENT

General

Macroeconomic Overview

Consumer Income & Spending Trends

Demographic & Household Trends

Packaging Outlook

Plastic Film

Plastic Beverage Bottles

Plastic Foodservice Disposables

Loose-Fill Packaging

Manufacturers’ Outlook

Agricultural Outlook

Manufactured Fiber Overview

Nonwoven Disposables Overview

New Developments

Capacity Additions

Thermoplastic Resin Outlook

Historical Trends

Pricing Trends

Solid Waste Management

Landfills

Recycling

Incineration

Composting

Degradability Standards

Regulatory & Legislative Environment

Plastic Recycling

International Activity

Europe

Japan

Other Countries

III. TYPES

General

Raw Materials

Biodegradable/Compostable Plastic

Starch-Based Plastic

Products

Producers

Polylactic Acid

Packaging

Fiber

Other Uses

Cellophane

Polyester-Based Plastic

Types

Producers

Other Biodegradable/Compostable Plastics

Photodegradable Plastic

Applications

Producers

Other Biodegradable Plastics

Polyvinyl Alcohol

Polyethylene Oxide & Other Types

IV. MARKETS

General

Packaging

Film

Ring Carriers

Biodegradable Loose-Fill

Foodservice

Molded & Other

Nonpackaging Film

Fiber

Bedding & Apparel

Other

Other Markets

Medical

All Other

V. INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

General

Market Share

NatureWorks

Innovia Films

ITW Hi-Cone

Novamont

Other Producers

Mergers & Acquisitions

Manufacturing Requirements

Research & Development

Marketing Strategies

Channels of Distribution

Competitive Strategies

Cooperative Agreements

Company Profiles

American Excelsior Company

Ampacet Corporation

AMYLEX Corporation

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company

BASF AG

BioBag International AS

BIOgroupUSA Incorporated, see BioBag International AS

Cargill Incorporated

Celanese Corporation

Cereplast Incorporated

Cortec Corporation

DaniMer Scientific LLC

Dow Chemical Company

DuPont (EI) de Nemours

DURECT Corporation

Eastman Chemical Company

Free-Flow Packaging International Incorporated

Illinois Tool Works Incorporated

Innovia Films Limited

KTM Industries Incorporated

Kuraray Company Limited

Metabolix Incorporated

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Incorporated

NatureWorks LLC, see Cargill Incorporated and Teijin Limited

Novamont SpA

Pak-Lite Incorporated

Perstorp AB

PGLA-1, see Cargill Incorporated

Procter & Gamble Company

ReNewable Products Incorporated

Solae LLC, see DuPont (EI) de Nemours

Solvay SA

StarchTech Incorporated

Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH

Teijin Limited

Telles LLC, see Archer-Daniels-Midland and Metabolix

Wilkinson Industries Incorporated

LIST OF TABLES

SECTION I -- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Summary Table

SECTION II -- MARKET ENVIRONMENT

1 Macroeconomic Indicators

2 Personal Consumption Expenditures

3 Population & Households

4 Packaging Shipments by Material

5 Plastic Film Demand

6 Plastic Beverage Bottle Demand

7 Plastic Foodservice Disposables: Resin Demand

8 Loose-Fill Packaging Demand

9 Manufacturers’ Shipments

10 Agricultural Indicators

11 Manufactured Fiber Demand

12 Personal Hygiene Products & Consumer Wipe Demand

13 Thermoplastic Resin Demand by Type

14 Biodegradable Plastic Market, 1997-2007

15 Biodegradable Plastic Prices

16 Municipal Solid Waste Management by Process

SECTION III -- TYPES

1 Biodegradable Plastic Demand by Type

2 Biodegradable/Compostable Plastic Demand by Type

3 Starch-Based Biodegradable Plastic Demand by Use

4 Polylactic Acid Demand by Use

5 Polylactic Acid Demand in Packaging by Use

6 Polylactic Acid Demand in Fiber by Use

7 Polylactic Acid Demand in Other Uses

8 Cellophane Demand by Use

9 Polyester-Based Biodegradable Plastic Demand by Use

10 Other Biodegradable/Compostable Plastic Demand by Use

11 Photodegradable Plastic Demand by Use

12 Other Biodegradable Plastic Demand by Use

SECTION IV -- MARKETS

1 Biodegradable Plastic Demand by Market

2 Packaging Markets for Biodegradable Plastic by Type

3 Film Markets for Biodegradable Plastic

4 Ring Carrier Market for Biodegradable Plastic

5 Biodegradable Loose-Fill Packaging Demand

6 Biodegradable Foodservice Disposables Demand by Use

7 Molded & Other Packaging Markets for Biodegradable Plastic

8 Nonpackaging Film Markets for Biodegradable Plastic by Use

9 Fiber Markets for Biodegradable Plastic by Use

10 Other Markets for Biodegradable Plastic

SECTION V -- INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

1 US Biodegradable Plastic Sales by Company, 2007

2 Selected Acquisitions & Divestitures

3 Selected Cooperative Agreements

LIST OF CHARTS

SECTION II -- MARKET ENVIRONMENT

1 Plastic Film Demand by Type, 2007

2 Thermoplastic Resin Demand by Type, 2007

3 Biodegradable Plastic Market, 1995-2007

4 Municipal Solid Waste Management by Process, 2007

SECTION III -- TYPES

1 Biodegradable/Compostable Plastic Demand by Type, 2007

SECTION IV -- MARKETS

1 Packaging Markets for Biodegradable Plastic by Type, 2007

SECTION V -- INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

1 US Biodegradable Plastic Market Share, 2007

 
 

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More Details

Polyester-based biodegradables to grow fastest
Polylactic acid (PLA) demand will present good opportunities through 2012, reflecting price declines, improved product performance and greater processor familiarity. Good opportunities are expected in packaging areas such as film, thermoformed products, and foodservice products. Starch-based plastic demand will present good growth through 2012 due to the availability of lower priced and improved resin blends. Film products such as yard and kitchen bags will remain dominant. Rapid advances are also expected in areas such as plates, bowls and foodservice items. Slow growth is expected for biodegradable loose-fill packaging based on competition from bubble packaging and inflatable bags. Demand for polyester-based biodegradables will increase at the fastest pace through 2012 due to rapid capacity additions, price declines and opportunities in film and fiber products. The materials also have good synergy in blends with PLA, starch and other materials.

Packaging will remain dominant end use
Packaging, which accounted for more than 70 percent of all biodegradable plastic use in 2007, will present good opportunities. Molded biodegradable products will exhibit the fastest growth due to widespread use in containers and trays based on improved resins and processing technologies. Biodegradable film has diverse bag, liner and overwrap applications. Fiber markets will provide good opportunities, with bedding and apparel remaining the leading applications.

Study coverage
Biodegradable Plastics, a new Freedonia industry study available for $4600, examines the biodegradable plastics industry in the US by type and market. Historical data are presented (1997, 2002 and 2007), as well as forecasts for 2012 and 2017 in pounds and dollars.

The market environment examines trends in markets such as film, bottle and food packaging, as well as pricing factors, degradability standards and international activity. The industry structure analyzes market share, reviews merger and acquisition activity, research and development efforts and international markets. In addition, the study also evaluates market share and profiles 35 competitors active in the US industry.