The Global Market for Biobased Packaging 2025-2035

1             EXECUTIVE SUMMARY            17

• 1.1        Current global packaging market and materials     17
• 1.2        Market trends 18
• 1.3        Drivers for recent growth in bioplastics in packaging          19
• 1.4        Challenges for bio-based and sustainable packaging        20

2             BIOBASED MATERIALS IN PACKAGING         21

• 2.1        Materials innovation 21
• 2.2        Active packaging         22
• 2.3        Monomaterial packaging       22
• 2.4        Conventional polymer materials used in packaging            23
  • 2.4.1    Polyolefins: Polypropylene and polyethylene            24
  • 2.4.2    PET and other polyester polymers   26
  • 2.4.3    Renewable and bio-based polymers for packaging             27
  • 2.4.4    Comparison of synthetic fossil-based and bio-based polymers  29
  • 2.4.5    Processes for bioplastics in packaging        29
  • 2.4.6    End-of-life treatment of bio-based and sustainable packaging   31
• 2.5        Synthetic bio-based packaging materials   31
  • 2.5.1    Polylactic acid (Bio-PLA)        32
    • 2.5.1.1 Properties         32
    • 2.5.1.2 Applicaitons   32
  • 2.5.2    Polyethylene terephthalate (Bio-PET)            35
    • 2.5.2.1 Properties         36
    • 2.5.2.2 Applications   36
    • 2.5.2.3 Advantages of Bio-PET in Packaging              37
    • 2.5.2.4 Challenges and Limitations 37
  • 2.5.3    Polytrimethylene terephthalate (Bio-PTT)   39
    • 2.5.3.1 Production Process   39
    • 2.5.3.2 Properties         39
    • 2.5.3.3 Applications   40
    • 2.5.3.4 Advantages of Bio-PTT in Packaging               40
    • 2.5.3.5 Challenges and Limitations 40
  • 2.5.4    Polyethylene furanoate (Bio-PEF)     41
    • 2.5.4.1 Properties         41
    • 2.5.4.2 Applications   42
    • 2.5.4.3 Advantages of Bio-PEF in Packaging              42
    • 2.5.4.4 Challenges and Limitations 43
  • 2.5.5    Bio-PA 43
    • 2.5.5.1 Properties         44
    • 2.5.5.2 Applications in Packaging     44
    • 2.5.5.3 Advantages of Bio-PA in Packaging 44
    • 2.5.5.4 Challenges and Limitations 45
  • 2.5.6    Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (Bio-PBAT)- Aliphatic aromatic copolyesters                45
    • 2.5.6.1 Properties         46
    • 2.5.6.2 Applications in Packaging     46
    • 2.5.6.3 Advantages of Bio-PBAT in Packaging           46
    • 2.5.6.4 Challenges and Limitations 47
  • 2.5.7    Polybutylene succinate (PBS) and copolymers       47
    • 2.5.7.1 Properties         48
    • 2.5.7.2 Applications in Packaging     48
    • 2.5.7.3 Advantages of Bio-PBS and Co-polymers in Packaging     48
    • 2.5.7.4 Challenges and Limitations 49
  • 2.5.8    Polypropylene (Bio-PP)            49
    • 2.5.8.1 Properties         50
    • 2.5.8.2 Applications in Packaging     50
    • 2.5.8.3 Advantages of Bio-PP in Packaging 50
    • 2.5.8.4 Challenges and Limitations 51
• 2.6        Natural bio-based packaging materials       52
  • 2.6.1    Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)             52
    • 2.6.1.1 Properties         52
    • 2.6.1.2 Applications in Packaging     53
    • 2.6.1.3 Advantages of PHA in Packaging      54
    • 2.6.1.4 Challenges and Limitations 55
  • 2.6.2    Starch-based blends 55
    • 2.6.2.1 Properties         56
    • 2.6.2.2 Applications in Packaging     56
    • 2.6.2.3 Advantages of Starch-Based Blends in Packaging 56
    • 2.6.2.4 Challenges and Limitations 56
  • 2.6.3    Cellulose          57
    • 2.6.3.1 Feedstocks      57
      • 2.6.3.1.1           Wood  58
      • 2.6.3.1.2           Plant    58
      • 2.6.3.1.3           Tunicate             59
      • 2.6.3.1.4           Algae   59
      • 2.6.3.1.5           Bacteria             59
    • 2.6.3.2 Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)        60
      • 2.6.3.2.1           Properties         60
    • 2.6.3.3 Nanocellulose               61
      • 2.6.3.3.1           Cellulose nanocrystals           61
        • 2.6.3.3.1.1      Applications in packaging     62
      • 2.6.3.3.2           Cellulose nanofibers 63
        • 2.6.3.3.2.1      Applications in packaging     64
      • 2.6.3.3.3           Bacterial Nanocellulose (BNC)          71
        • 2.6.3.3.3.1      Applications in packaging     73
  • 2.6.4    Protein-based bioplastics in packaging       74
  • 2.6.5    Lipids and waxes for packaging         76
  • 2.6.6    Seaweed-based packaging  77
    • 2.6.6.1 Production       79
    • 2.6.6.2 Applications in packaging     79
    • 2.6.6.3 Producers         79
  • 2.6.7    Mycelium          80
    • 2.6.7.1 Applications in packaging     81
  • 2.6.8    Chitosan           82
    • 2.6.8.1 Applications in packaging     83
  • 2.6.9    Bio-naphtha   84
    • 2.6.9.1 Overview           84
    • 2.6.9.2 Markets and applications      84

3             MARKETS AND APPLICATIONS           87

• 3.1        Paper and board packaging 87
• 3.2        Food packaging           87
  • 3.2.1    Bio-Based films and trays      88
  • 3.2.2    Bio-Based pouches and bags             89
  • 3.2.3    Bio-Based textiles and nets  89
  • 3.2.4    Bioadhesives 89
    • 3.2.4.1 Starch 90
    • 3.2.4.2 Cellulose          91
    • 3.2.4.3 Protein-Based               91
  • 3.2.5    Barrier coatings and films     91
    • 3.2.5.1 Polysaccharides          92
      • 3.2.5.1.1           Chitin  93
      • 3.2.5.1.2           Chitosan           93
      • 3.2.5.1.3           Starch 93
    • 3.2.5.2 Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)              93
    • 3.2.5.3 Poly(butylene Succinate)       93
    • 3.2.5.4 Functional Lipid and Proteins Based Coatings        93
  • 3.2.6    Active and Smart Food Packaging   94
    • 3.2.6.1 Active Materials and Packaging Systems    94
    • 3.2.6.2 Intelligent and Smart Food Packaging           95
  • 3.2.7    Antimicrobial films and agents          96
    • 3.2.7.1 Natural               97
    • 3.2.7.2 Inorganic nanoparticles          98
    • 3.2.7.3 Biopolymers   98
  • 3.2.8    Bio-based Inks and Dyes        99
  • 3.2.9    Edible films and coatings       99
• 3.3        Biobased films and coatings in packaging 102
  • 3.3.1    Challenges using bio-based paints and coatings   102
  • 3.3.2    Types of bio-based coatings and films in packaging           105
    • 3.3.2.1 Polyurethane coatings             105
      • 3.3.2.1.1           Properties         105
      • 3.3.2.1.2           Bio-based polyurethane coatings     105
      • 3.3.2.1.3           Products           106
    • 3.3.2.2 Acrylate resins              107
      • 3.3.2.2.1           Properties         107
      • 3.3.2.2.2           Bio-based acrylates  108
      • 3.3.2.2.3           Products           108
    • 3.3.2.3 Polylactic acid (Bio-PLA)        109
      • 3.3.2.3.1           Properties         110
      • 3.3.2.3.2           Bio-PLA coatings and films  111
  • 3.3.2.4 Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) coatings         111
  • 3.3.2.5 Cellulose coatings and films               113
    • 3.3.2.5.1           Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)        113
    • 3.3.2.5.2           Cellulose nanofibers 114
      • 3.3.2.5.2.1      Properties         114
    • 3.3.2.5.2.2      Product developers    115
  • 3.3.2.6 Lignin coatings              118
  • 3.3.2.7 Protein-based biomaterials for coatings      118
    • 3.3.2.7.1           Plant derived proteins              118
    • 3.3.2.7.2           Animal origin proteins              119
• 3.4        Carbon capture derived materials for packaging   120
  • 3.4.1    Benefits of carbon utilization for plastics feedstocks         121
  • 3.4.2    CO₂-derived polymers and plastics 123
  • 3.4.3    CO2 utilization products        124

4             GLOBAL MARKET REVENUES FOR BIOBASED PACKAGING           127

• 4.1        Flexible packaging     127
• 4.2        Rigid packaging            130
• 4.3        Coatings and films     132

5             COMPANY PROFILES                134 (210 company profiles)

6             RESEARCH METHODOLOGY              315

7             REFERENCES 316

List of Tables

• Table 1. Market trends in bio-based and sustainable packaging 18
• Table 2. Drivers for recent growth in the bioplastics and biopolymers markets.                19
• Table 3. Challenges for bio-based and sustainable packaging.   20
• Table 4. Types of bio-based plastics and fossil-fuel-based plastics          23
• Table 5. Comparison of synthetic fossil-based and bio-based polymers.             29
• Table 6. Processes for bioplastics in packaging.    30
• Table 7. PLA properties for packaging applications.            32
• Table 8. Applications, advantages and disadvantages of PHAs in packaging.    53
• Table 9. Major polymers found in the extracellular covering of different algae.  59
• Table 10. Market overview for cellulose microfibers (microfibrillated cellulose) in paperboard and packaging-market age, key benefits, applications and producers.            60
• Table 11. Applications of nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC).            62
• Table 12. Market overview for cellulose nanofibers in packaging.              64
• Table 13. Types of protein based-bioplastics, applications and companies.      75
• Table 14. Overview of alginate-description, properties, application and market size.   78
• Table 15. Companies developing algal-based bioplastics.             79
• Table 16. Overview of mycelium fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications.               80
• Table 17. Overview of chitosan-description, properties, drawbacks and applications.                83
• Table 18. Bio-based naphtha markets and applications. 84
• Table 19. Bio-naphtha market value chain.               85
• Table 20. Pros and cons of different type of food packaging materials.   88
• Table 21. Active Biodegradable Films films and their food applications.               95
• Table 22. Intelligent Biodegradable Films.  96
• Table 23. Edible films and coatings market summary.       100
• Table 24. Summary of barrier films and coatings for packaging. 103
• Table 25. Types of polyols.    105
• Table 26. Polyol producers.  106
• Table 27. Bio-based polyurethane coating products.          107
• Table 28. Bio-based acrylate resin products.           108
• Table 29. Polylactic acid (PLA) market analysis.    109
• Table 30. Commercially available PHAs.     112
• Table 31. Market overview for cellulose nanofibers in paints and coatings.         114
• Table 32. Companies developing cellulose nanofibers products in paints and coatings.           115
• Table 33. Types of protein based-biomaterials, applications and companies.   119
• Table 34. CO2 utilization and removal pathways.  122
• Table 35. CO2 utilization products developed by chemical and plastic producers.        124
• Table 36. Comparison of bioplastics’ (PLA and PHAs) properties to other common polymers used in product packaging.   127
• Table 37. Typical applications for bioplastics in flexible packaging.         128
• Table 38. Typical applications for bioplastics in rigid packaging. 130
• Table 39. Market revenues for bio-based coatings, 2018-2035 (billions USD), high estimate. 133
• Table 40. Lactips plastic pellets.       237
• Table 41. Oji Holdings CNF products.            264

List of Figures

• Figure 1. Global packaging market by material type.           17
• Figure 2. Routes for synthesizing polymers from fossil-based and bio-based resources.           27
• Figure 3. Organization and morphology of cellulose synthesizing terminal complexes (TCs) in different organisms.      57
• Figure 4. Biosynthesis of (a) wood cellulose (b) tunicate cellulose and (c) BC.  58
• Figure 5. Cellulose microfibrils and nanofibrils.     59
• Figure 6. TEM image of cellulose nanocrystals.      60
• Figure 7. CNC slurry. 61
• Figure 8. CNF gel.        63
• Figure 9. Bacterial nanocellulose shapes   71
• Figure 10. BLOOM masterbatch from Algix.               77
• Figure 11. Typical structure of mycelium-based foam.      80
• Figure 12. Commercial mycelium composite construction materials.    81
• Figure 13. Types of bio-based materials used for antimicrobial food packaging application.  96
• Figure 14. Schematic of gas barrier properties of nanoclay film. 102
• Figure 15. Hefcel-coated wood (left) and untreated wood (right) after 30 seconds flame test.               116
• Figure 16. Applications for CO2.       120
• Figure 17. Life cycle of CO2-derived products and services.          122
• Figure 18.  Conversion pathways for CO2-derived polymeric materials  123
• Figure 19. Bioplastics for flexible packaging by bioplastic material type, 2019–2035 (‘000 tonnes).   128
• Figure 20. Bioplastics for rigid packaging by bioplastic material type, 2019–2035 (‘000 tonnes).         130
• Figure 21. Market revenues for bio-based coatings, 2018-2035 (billions USD), conservative estimate.                131
• Figure 22. Pluumo.     135
• Figure 23. Anpoly cellulose nanofiber hydrogel.     143
• Figure 24. MEDICELLU™.         144
• Figure 25. Asahi Kasei CNF fabric sheet.     151
• Figure 26. Properties of Asahi Kasei cellulose nanofiber nonwoven fabric.          152
• Figure 27. CNF nonwoven fabric.      153
• Figure 28. Passionfruit wrapped in Xgo Circular packaging.           158
• Figure 29. BIOLO e-commerce mailer bag made from PHA.           164
• Figure 30. Reusable and recyclable foodservice cups, lids, and straws from Joinease Hong Kong Ltd., made with plant-based NuPlastiQ BioPolymer from BioLogiQ, Inc.          165
• Figure 31. Fiber-based screw cap.   174
• Figure 32. CJ CheilJedang's biodegradable PHA-based wrapper for shipping products.              186
• Figure 33. CuanSave film.     190
• Figure 34. ELLEX products.   192
• Figure 35. CNF-reinforced PP compounds.               192
• Figure 36. Kirekira! toilet wipes.         193
• Figure 37. Rheocrysta spray.                197
• Figure 38. DKS CNF products.            197
• Figure 39. Photograph (a) and micrograph (b) of mineral/ MFC composite showing the high viscosity and fibrillar structure.        209
• Figure 40. PHA production process.               214
• Figure 41. AVAPTM process. 219
• Figure 42. GreenPower+™ process.  219
• Figure 43. Cutlery samples (spoon, knife, fork) made of nano cellulose and biodegradable plastic composite materials.               222
• Figure 44. CNF gel.     224
• Figure 45. Block nanocellulose material.    224
• Figure 46. CNF products developed by Hokuetsu.                225
• Figure 47. Kami Shoji CNF products.              231
• Figure 48. IPA synthesis method.      249
• Figure 49. Compostable water pod.               259
• Figure 50. XCNF.          275
• Figure 51: Innventia AB movable nanocellulose demo plant.        276
• Figure 52. Shellworks packaging containers.           281
• Figure 53. Thales packaging incorporating Fibrease.           288
• Figure 54. Sulapac cosmetics containers. 290
• Figure 55.  Sulzer equipment for PLA polymerization processing.              291
• Figure 56. Silver / CNF composite dispersions.      299
• Figure 57. CNF/nanosilver powder.  299
• Figure 58. Corbion FDCA production process.        301
• Figure 59. UPM biorefinery process.               303
• Figure 60. Vegea production process.           306
• Figure 61. Worn Again products.       310
• Figure 62. S-CNF in powder form.    312

The Global Market for Biobased Packaging 2025-2035

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The Global Market for Biobased Packaging 2025-2035

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