Introduction

Global demand for biodegradable or plant-based plastic will quadruple by 2013. Rising oil prices and fossil fuel depletion is driving interest in the use of plant-based polymers. Bioplastics account for less than 10% of global plastics use, but sector growth is around 17-20% a year since 2006. The sector faces increasing regulation and more competition as large corporations move in on the industry

Features and benefits

* Provides comprehensive overview of the biodegradable packaging market in Europe, the US, and Asia-Pacific.
* Provides in-depth analysis of the leading players and cutting-edge technology pushing the market forward.
* Provides a comprehensive overview of the regulatory and legislative framework in Europe, the US, and Asia-Pacific.
* Outlines the key cost factors inhibiting development of biodegradable packaging.
* Explores the future of the biodegradable packaging market, and what types of product are best placed to benefit from expansion.

Highlights

Currently there is not a good enough infrastructure in place to get optimum benefit from biodegradable packaging, even if it is widely available. Europe leads regulatory reform, with the US trailing behind. Asia and Australia are making headway, but Asia (and in particular China) suffer from a confused approach.
Consumers are driving demand, with major retailers including Coca-cola and Walmart getting on board. However, despite increased demand, the key cost barriers for suppliers are R&D costs, production costs, and economies of scale.
PLA dominates bioplastics use, but new materials are being developed from algae and microbacterial sources and advances in nanotechnology offer potential for interesting developments in smart packaging.

Your key questions answered

* What are the major benefits and drawbacks of biodegradable packaging?
* Does biodegradable packaging offer any real benefits without a comprehensive infrastructure to ensure decomposition?
* How are governments preparing for the increase in bioplastics use?
* How have retailers responded to growing consumer demands for biodegradable packaging?
* Which companies are leading R&D and how are big manufacturers and retailers getting involved in the market?

Executive Summary
Introduction
Legislation and regulation
Biodegradable packaging – technology, sectors and applications
Biodegradability and the packaging industry
Future outlook
Ian Barnett
Disclaimer
Introduction
Summary
What is biodegradable packaging?
Sustainability the main driver
Biodegradable packaging and composting
Increasing costs of hydrocarbons
Concerns over the price of biodegradable packaging
Lack of recyclability
Consumer attitudes to bioplastics
Consumer packaging market
The biodegradable plastics market
Legislation and regulation
Summary
Introduction
Packaging legislation in the European Union
Regulatory overview
Current EU regional picture
Bioplastics/biodegradable legislation in the EU
Certification and labeling
EU Directives
Lead Markets Initiative
Funding
Future outlook
Packaging legislation in the United States
US regulatory overview
US bioplastics/biodegradable legislation
Certification and labeling
US non-government organizations
The Bioplastics Recycling Consortium (BRC)
The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC)
Walmart
Packaging regulations in Asia-Pacific
China
Japan
Singapore
Thailand
Indonesia
Global trends
Biodegradable drivers
Technology, sectors, and applications
Summary
Introduction
Technology
Biopolymers
Smart materials
Biodegradable barrier materials
Self-regulating, self-monitoring packaging
Sectors and applications for biodegradable packaging
Biodegradables are a vital target for investment
Bioplastics led by PLA
Oxo-biodegradable plastic – the new alternative
Recent commercial applications of biodegradable plastic packaging
Bioplastics market overview
Paper and board packaging
The biodegradability packaging industry
Summary
Major packaging companies with interests in biodegradable
NatureWorks
Cereplast
Cardia
Novamont
Manufacturers moving biodegradables into the mainstream
BASF
Biodegradable materials and brand names
Nature Flex
Ingeo
Mater-Bio
Nature Plus
Ecoflex
Retailer and manufacturer initiatives
Retailers
Manufacturers
Niche players
Future outlook
Summary
Introduction
Market outlook
Outlook for Suppliers
Who is driving the market?
Price drivers
Policy drivers
Consumer demand
Who is paying for the development and growth of biodegradable packaging?
Appendix
Scope
Methodology
Glossary/Abbreviations
Bibliography/References