Thailand tops Asia's bioplastics sector

The global bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET)  market was valued at $1.883 billion in 2016, according to a report published by Research cosmos. The bio-based PET market is projected to reach $7.116 billion by 2025, growing annually by 16.1% during the forecast period.

 

Asia Pacific held a dominant position in the global bio-based PET market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 17.8% during the forecast period. Steadily increasing consumption of alcoholic beverages and carbonated soft drinks in the region is also expected to boost the growth of the bio-based PET  market in the region. 

 

According to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in 2014, North and Central Asia accounted for the highest volume of alcohol consumption which was close the total volume consumption of alcohol in Europe.  Further, according to the Thailand Board of Investment, Thailand holds the major growth opportunity for bioplastic industry, as Thailand has a flourishing agricultural sector in products including cassava, rice and sugarcane. Thailand’s large agricultural base is projected to be used as a biomass feedstock for bioplastics. In addition, the Thai government along with the National Innovation Agency (NIA), worked on various supporting programs such as the establishment of the Thai Bioplastics Industry Association (TBIA). TBIA was founded in 2007, which assists bio plastic firms to reach international standards by certification and laboratory testing. These are the factors propelling the market growth of bio-based PET in the region.

 

Rising initiatives taken up by the regulating bodies in the adoption of sustainable packaging worldwide to reduce carbon footprint combined with increasing research and development activities for manufacturing of 100% bio-based PET bottles is one of the major factors driving the growth of the market. For instance, The Coca-Cola Company developed the first 100% bio-based PET (PET) bottle in 2015, based on technology developed by biofuels and biochemical company Virent Inc. Moreover, increasing use of bio-based PET in the automotive sector due to the lightweight and environment-friendly qualities is expected to boost the demand for the same further.

 

Based on application, the global bio-based PET market is segmented into bottles, bags, 3D printing, foils & fibres, carpets and others. Bottles accounted for the largest market share in 2016 and the same is expected to retain market dominance throughout the forecast period. Rising demand for beverages coupled with government participation for reduction of greenhouse emissions and stringent regulations are some of the major factors boosting the demand for the market. For instance, post completion of the of the Lead Market Initiative, the European Commission established an Expert Group for Bio-based Products in 2013 in line with the commission’s Bioeconomy Strategy. The strategy majorly focused on shifting the European economy towards the usage of renewable resources and the development of bio-based product sector by increasing the conversion of waste streams into value-added products.

 

Europe was the second largest region in the global bio-based polyethylene terephthalate market in 2016 and is expected to retain its position during the forecast period. Growing environmental awareness is expected to propel the demand for bio-based PET over petroleum-based plastics in the region. Further, according to the European Biomass Industry Association (EUBIA), rising food and beverage industry in Germany, UK and France is expected to boost the market for the bio-based PET in those countries. According to Plastics Europe, bio-based plastics such as Bio-PET and bio-PE are majorly used in packaging. These are the factors, largely supporting the market growth of bio-based polyethylene terephthalate in Europe.