Growth in EU bioplastics market defies recession

Sweetman pointed to Coca-Cola, which has introduced a new PET PlastBottle, which contains 30% plant-based material, in certain countries. Sanmsung has introduced a mobile phone made partly of biodegradable plastics, Hundai is using PLA for the interior of its next generation hybrid car, while Frito-lay are using bioplastics in their SunChips packaging, he added.

According to European Bioplastics, growth will continue over the next four years. Total global production capacity currently stands at 568,000 tonnes, a figure that will grow to 964,000 tonnes in 2011, 1.44m tonnes in 2012 and 1.46m tonnes in 2013.

Correspondingly, manufacturers are continuing to invest in plants. For example, Nature Works just doubled its production capacity of PLA and Braskem made big investments for this year’s start-up of bio-based PE.

“Of course we still have a long way to go, before we can actually talk about real market penetration,” said Sweetman. “On the other hand, Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

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