Global Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market, By Type (Racemic PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid), Regular PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid), PDLA (Poly-D-Lactic Acid), and PDLLA (Poly-Dl-Lactic Acid)), Raw Material (Corn, Cassava, Sugarcane, Sugar Beet, and Others), Form (Films And Sheets, Coatings, Fiber, Others), Application (Packaging, Transport, Agriculture, Medical, Electronics, Textile, Hygiene, Others), End User (Plastic Films, Bottles, Biodegradable Medical Devices) - Trends and forecast to 2029.
Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Analysis and Insights
The global polylactic acid (PLA) market is expected to grow significantly in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029. Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the market is growing with a CAGR of 11.6% in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029 and is expected to reach USD 2,416,823.42 thousand by 2029. The major factor driving the growth of the polylactic acid (PLA) market is the increasing demand for a multi-layer packaging for preventing oxygen and water permeation, increasing demand for biodegradable packaging alternatives from the packaging industry, PLA can be an alternative to petroleum-based polymers, growing demand for bio-based plastics film in agriculture, imposition of strict regulations on environmental safety by various governments.
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a type of renewable plastic primarily derived from renewable materials like corn starch and sugarcane. Polylactic acid (PLA) possesses several beneficial mechanical properties over other biodegradable polymers. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic aliphatic polymer, and this bioplastic is produced from the crystallization of lactic acid. Having a chemical formula (C3H4O2) n, the polylactic acid (PLA) is a semi-crystalline and biodegradable hydrophobic polymer. Polylactic acid (PLA) can be broken down into a range of biodegradable components, which makes it ideal for application by a wide range of applications.
Global polylactic acid (PLA) market report provides details of market share, new developments, and the impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, products approvals, strategic decisions, product launches, geographic expansions, and technological innovations in the market. To understand the analysis and the market scenario, contact us for an Analyst Brief. Our team will help you create a revenue impact solution to achieve your desired goal.
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Report Metric
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Details
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Forecast Period
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2022 to 2029
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Base Year
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2021
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Historic Years
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2020 (Customizable to 2019 - 2014)
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Quantitative Units
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Revenue in USD Thousand, Volume in Kilo Tons
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Segments Covered
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By Type (Racemic PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid), Regular PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid), PDLA (Poly-D-Lactic Acid), and PDLLA (Poly-Dl-Lactic Acid)), Raw Material (Corn, Cassava, Sugarcane, Sugar Beet, and Others), Form (Films And Sheets, Coatings, Fiber, Others), Application (Packaging, Transport, Agriculture, Medical, Electronics, Textile, Hygiene, Others), End User (Plastic Films, Bottles, Biodegradable Medical Devices)
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Countries Covered
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U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Russia, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, South Korea, India, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Israel and Rest of the Middle East and Africa
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Market Players Covered
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BASF SE, Futerro, NatureWorks LLC, TotalEnergies Corbion, Sulzer Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC., Merck KGaA, Musashino Chemical Laboratory, Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, Polyvel Inc., UNITIKA LTD., Jiangxi Academy of Sciences Biological New Materials Co., Ltd., Shanghai Tong-jie-liang Biomaterials Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials Co., Ltd., and Radici Partecipazioni SpA.
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Market Definition
Increasing demand for biodegradable packaging alternatives from the packaging industry is an important driver for the global polylactic acid (PLA) market. PLA can be an alternative to petroleum-based polymers, and the growing demand for bio-based plastics film in agriculture is expected to boost the growth of the global polylactic acid (PLA) market. The multi-functionalities of PLA and growing consumer inclination towards eco-friendly plastic products are accepted to bring opportunity to the global polylactic acid (PLA) market. However, poor performance issues compared to conventional plastic challenge global polylactic acid (PLA) market growth.
Global Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Dynamics
Drivers
- Increasing demand for biodegradable packaging alternatives from the packaging industry
The pandemic has led to a positive impact on the growth of the packaging industry. It has resulted in high demand for plastic packaging, including eco-friendly substitutes of plastics such as packaging materials made from PLA. Food manufacturers, who initially opted for other types of packaging, had initiated using PLA-based packaging, as products are economical, safe, and enduring. Additionally, due to the increase in sustainability in the packaging industry for maintaining product quality, biopolymer packaging materials such as PLA-based materials are increasing as PLA decomposes into water and carbon dioxide in approximately 47 to 90 days. Four times faster than PET-based bags used in various packaging. Moreover, their low cost, renewable raw materials, and agro-industrial waste usage drive their demand, as polylactic acid is obtained from renewable sources.
- PLA can be an alternative to petroleum-based polymers
Apart from this, polylactic acid is used in manufacturing various components used in the automotive sector. Polylactic acids are used in applications such as the interior parts and hood under components. These products are known for reducing their carbon footprint owing to their high bio content. PLA offers numerous properties such as UV resistance, impact resistance, high gloss, dimensional stability, and coloring ability. These factors make it an alternative to most traditional plastics made up of petroleum products and raw materials such as polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and polyamide, which are preferred for automotive engine compartments and interiors and other uses as well.
- Growing demand for bio-based plastics film in agriculture
With growing awareness regarding disposal problems of non-degradable films, applications of polylactic acid-based mulch films are expected to increase in agriculture. Mulch films are extensively used in the cultivation of fruits & vegetables. The mechanical properties of PLA are comparable to the existing mulch film products and have the advantage of being completely biodegradable through a single growing season. This will positively impact the market growth and act as a global polylactic acid (PLA) market driver.
- Imposition of strict regulations on environmental safety by various governments
Due to environmental concerns and fast climate-changing factors, regulatory authorities, such as EPA, FDA, and many others, are increasingly opting for biodegradable plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) and focusing on increasing consumer awareness regarding the need for the use of biodegradable products.
Opportunities
- Multi-functionalities of PLA
Multi-functionalities and extensive use of PLA in different industries and applications will provide lucrative opportunities for growth in the global polylactic acid (PLA) market. Bas Polylactic acid is biodegradable and industrially compostable. Among the first renewable polymers, we can compete with the existing polymers, combining their functional characteristics, such as transparency, gloss, and stiffness. Polylactic acid is currently used in many industries and applications, including packaging, single-use tableware, textiles, oil & gas, electronics, automotive, and 3D printing. Due to the various and versatile uses of polylactic acid across multiple industries and the multi-functionalities of polylactic acids, the market is projected to witness significant growth opportunities in the near future.
- Growing consumer inclination towards eco-friendly plastic product
Furthermore, the richness of biomass, research-driven resources, strong downstream industry demand, material supply, and supporting government policy has created significant bioplastic business opportunities in these regions. The growth has also been supported by improving consumer awareness regarding sustainable plastic solutions and increasing efforts to eliminate the use of non-biodegradable conventional plastics PLA. Traditionally used petroleum-based plastics take decades to break down or degrade and lay in landfills for a long period. PLA breaks down faster when they are discarded and absorbed back into the natural system. In addition, the decomposition rate of biodegradable plastics such as PLA by the activities of microorganisms is much faster than that of traditional plastics.
Restraints/Challenges
- Concerns over cost and specific industrial composting system
The usage of polylactic acids in small and medium enterprises has been challenging due to the lack of resources or the technology and facilities required for extracting and fermentation high-quality lactic acid and polylactic acid. Moreover, the selection of the right composition of polylactic acid is a key aspect that many companies have not figured out accurately. This increases the production cost of polylactic acid due to a lack of appropriate technology and techniques. The selection of the right composition of lactic acid for the production of polylactic acid is a complex method that requires validation at a laboratory and factory-scale level.
- Unpredictable raw material prices
The production costs of polylactic acid and related products are witnessing a significant increase due to the higher costs of raw materials along with transportation, energy consumed, and chemicals, which leads to a reduction in margins for manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers. Thus, resulting in high end-user application prices.
- Poor performance issues as compared to conventional plastic
Low barrier properties to air, water, and oxygen and low resistance to heat are some of the major performance issues related to PLA compared to conventional plastics. This restricts its penetration in various industries, including electronics and automotive. In addition, poor mechanical properties such as low impact & tensile strength and process capabilities restrict the penetration of PLA in various applications. These performance limitations of PLA are a major challenge for the market's growth. In addition, PLA is a bio-based and biodegradable polymer built from lactic acid molecules. Being a thermoplastic polyester, it softens when heated and hardens when cooled.
Recent Development
In June 2022, The Australian food packaging manufacturer Confoil and BASF partnered to develop a certified compostable and dual ovenable food tray based on paper. The paper tray is coated inside with BASF's ecovio PS 1606, a partly bio-based and certified compostable biopolymer especially developed for coating food packaging made of paper or board. This partnership will intensify the company's operations in the global market.
Global Polylactic acid (PLA) Market Scope
Global polylactic acid (PLA) market is categorized based on type, raw material, form, application, and end user. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze major growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to make strategic decisions to identify core market applications.
Type
- Racemic PLLA (Poly-l-lactic acid)
- PDLA (Poly-d-lactic acid)
- Regular PLLA (Poly-l-lactic acid)
- PDLLA (Poly-dl-lactic acid)
- PLA Blends
Based on type, the global polylactic acid (PLA) market is classified into five segments, namely Racemic PLLA (Poly-l-lactic acid), PDLA (Poly-d-lactic acid), Regular PLLA (Poly-l-lactic acid), PDLLA (Poly-dl-lactic acid), and PLA Blends.
Raw Material
- Sugarcane
- Corn
- Cassava
- Sugar Beet
- Others
Based on raw material, the global polylactic acid (PLA) market is classified into sugarcane, corn, cassava, sugar beet, and others.
Form
- Films and Sheets
- Coatings
- Fiber
- Others
Based on the form, the global polylactic acid (PLA) market is classified into films and sheets, coatings, fiber, and others.
Application
- Packaging
- Transport
- Agriculture
- Medical
- Electronics
- Textile
- Hygiene
- Others
Based on application, the global polylactic acid (PLA) market is segmented into packaging, transport, agriculture, medical, electronics, textile, hygiene, and others.
End User
- Plastic Films
- Bottles
- Biodegradable Medical Devices
Based on the end user, the global polylactic acid (PLA) market is classified into plastic films, bottles, and biodegradable medical devices.
Global Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Regional Analysis/Insights
The global polylactic acid (PLA) market is segmented on the basis of type, raw material, form, application, and end user.
The countries in the global polylactic acid (PLA) market are the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Russia, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, South Korea, India, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Israel and Rest of the Middle East and Africa.
Asia-Pacific dominates the global polylactic acid (PLA) market with a CAGR of around 12.1%. The U.S dominates in the North American region owing to the growing demand for bio-based polymer medical devices in the region. Germany dominated expected to dominate the Europe polylactic acid (PLA) market because of the increasing consumer preference for PLA film packaging solutions in the region. Saudi Arabia dominated the polylactic acid (PLA) market in the Middle East & Africa, increasing different packaging solutions in the region.
The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in market regulation that impact the current and future trends of the market. Data points downstream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends, porter's five forces analysis, and case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, the impact of domestic tariffs, and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.
Competitive Landscape and Global Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Share Analysis
Global polylactic acid (PLA) market competitive landscape provides details of competitors. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, production sites and facilities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product trials pipelines, product approvals, patents, product width and breadth, application dominance, technology lifeline curve. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to the Global Polylactic acid (PLA) market.
Some of the prominent participants operating in the Global Polylactic acid (PLA) market are BASF SE, Futerro, NatureWorks LLC, TotalEnergies Corbion, Sulzer Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC., Merck KGaA, Musashino Chemical Laboratory, Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, Polyvel Inc., UNITIKA LTD., Jiangxi Academy of Sciences Biological New Materials Co., Ltd., Shanghai Tong-jie-liang Biomaterials Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials Co., Ltd., and Radici Partecipazioni SpA.
Research Methodology
Data collection and base year analysis are done using data collection modules with large sample sizes. The market data is analyzed and estimated using market statistical and coherent models. In addition, market share analysis and key trend analysis are the major success factors in the market report. The key research methodology used by the DBMR research team is data triangulation which involves data mining, analysis of the impact of data variables on the market, and primary (industry expert) validation. Data models include Vendor Positioning grids, Market Time Line Analysis, Market Overview and Guide, Company Positioning grids, Company Market Share Analysis, Standards of Measurement, Global Vs. Regional and Vendor Share Analysis. Please request an analyst call in case of further inquiry.
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