14th Bioplastics Market

“Bioplastics in the circular economy: Sustainability, Product Innovations & Waste Management”

In an increasingly eco-conscious environment, the global market for bioplastics is expected to boom over the next five years, thanks to steadily increasing demand for sustainable products from both consumers and brands alike. There has also been continuous efforts of the bioplastics industry to develop innovative materials with improved properties and new functionalities. However, high processing cost for bioplastics compared to petroleum-based plastics and lack of recycling and composting infrastructure remain as key challenges for the industry.

Nevertheless, the future of the bioplastics market in Asia is bright and promising. China is the world’s largest producer of bioplastics and the increase in production is attributed to the government policies promoting the ban of single-use plastics in China’s foremost provinces including Shanghai, Hainan & etc. These regulations and consumers preference towards environment-friendly products have attracted manufacturers to establish bioplastics plants in these provinces.

In June 2019, ocean plastic waste was one of the issues topping the G20 summit agenda. Japan has unveiled a new policy to recycle 100% of newly produced plastics by 2035 and promote the use of bioplastics from plant-based sources and biodegradable materials. Recently, Japanese government announced a new regulation of plastic shopping bags which requires retailers to charge for the plastic bags they distribute to shoppers beginning July 2020.

Thailand’s government has approved tax breaks for fast food chains and retail outlets that purchase compostable bioplastic-based packaging from local converters. Various stakeholders are also working to establish a composting infrastructure.

Indonesia government has pledged US$1 billion to reduce marine waste by 70 percent by 2025. Recently, the Central Java administration has  embarked on a mission to replace plastic packaging with bioplastics made of cassava peel.

Brand owners in Asia have shown great commitments and interests in using bioplastics for their products and packaging. Recent examples include;

• San Miguel taps Philippine Bioresins for biodegradable plastic packaging, GMA News – 11 November 2019
• CP Foods launches green packaging for meat range, Global Meat News – 18 Oct 2019
• Panasonic taps plants to develop green appliances, Nikkei Asian Review – 7 July 2019
• Seven-Eleven Japan to wrap its billions of rice balls in bioplastic, Japan Times – 24 June 2019

• PEPSICO reveals current challenges in bio based transformation journey and upcoming opportunities
• NEW BALANCE’s take on material innovation and plastic application in footwear
• FORD MOTOR CHINA shares insights on bio-based engineering plastics in automotive parts
• NEXANT analyses bioplastics trends & prospects in South East Asia
• JIN HUI ZHAO LONG HIGH TECH shares China’s bioplastics growth, supply and demand
• KOREA BIOPLASTICS ASSOC. on bioplastics challenges & opportunities in South Korea
• GLOBAL BIOPOLYMERS presents bioplastics prospects for geotextiles & bio composites
• AVANTIUM updates on PEF plant projects
• BRASKEM presents the growth prospects of bio-PE & circular economy initiatives
• Panel Discussion: Emerging Renewable Feedstocks, Sustainable Supply & Conversion Economics led by THAI WAH PUBLIC COMPANY