Now, as global plastic production continues to climb, the pressure is on biodegradable plastics. So far, these substitutes have only accounted for 0.5% of overall plastic manufacturing globally. They are quickly shaping up to be the key solution in fighting the onslaught of environmental crises created by conventional plastics. The packaging industry leads approximately 50 percent of global single-use plastic production. It’s the biggest sector that’s using biodegradable plastics.
The need for biodegradable alternatives comes from some pretty shocking facts about plastic waste. Approximately 91 percent of all the plastic ever created has yet to be recycled, incinerated, or discarded into the environment. Experts warn that if current trends continue, projections indicate that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans. This grim truth has caused consumers and corporations alike to search for more sustainable materials, especially when it comes to packaging.
The biodegradable packaging market is expected to reach a market value of $54 billion by 2027. Experts estimate it will grow to more than $105 billion by 2024. According to independent research, this emerging market is projected to grow at approximately 6% per year from 2024 to 2029. Within this technology area, packaging represents a whopping 44 percent of patents filed worldwide for biodegradable polymers. This is an indication that innovation in this sector is really snowballing.
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Plastics
The issue is that traditional plastics have been weaponized and often deployed in single-use applications that end up in the trash without a second thought on environmental impact. As noted by Fai, “plastic has often been misused and is frequently applied to single-use items which are discarded with little regard for environmental consequences.” This kind of conduct is what’s fueling the spread and growing peril of plastic pollution. Products for this short-term use disproportionately pervade our planet for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Creating biodegradable plastics is an exciting alternative if produced more sustainably in the future. What are biodegradable plastics? Biodegradable plastic packaging products are designed to break down much faster than traditional plastics. They can take vital action to reduce the waste created by single-use items. Although they do have a shorter lifespan than conventional plastics, traditional plastics can last forever in the environment.
“When people say, ‘just throw it away,’ we must remember—there is no ‘away.’ Everything remains within the boundaries of our shared environment,” said Fai. “The planet simply cannot absorb this volume of waste indefinitely.”
This dramatic wake up call signals a crucial moment of opportunity for innovation, disruption, and shift in consumer mindset. People are increasingly learning about how plastic waste operates like a poison pill in the environment. The demand for biodegradable options will expand considerably.
The Growing Demand for Biodegradable Packaging
It’s widely recognized that consumer awareness and corporate response are the major forces behind the growing market demand for biodegradable plastics. Companies have been going green at an accelerating clip. These combined efforts help to enhance their brand’s image as a leader in sustainability and serve the growing consumer demand for more sustainable options.
The future of biodegradable plastics looks promising. As Fai points out, “Through international partnerships, where each research group contributes its unique expertise, we can join efforts to develop sustainable and innovative packaging solutions.” Creative partnerships between academia, industry, and the public offer promising pathways to accelerate the broader adoption and benefit of biodegradable materials in packaging.
And the possibilities for these materials go far beyond traditional applications. For example, Ferreira wants to explore the potential of zein, a family of proteins from corn. “There is a lot of opportunity with zein… and it’s a little bit more expensive, but we hope that will be hitting the market soon as well.” Innovations such as these illustrate how local, renewable sources can help build a clean, sustainable energy future.
The Role of Biodegradable Plastics in Food Systems
Biodegradable plastics are an important piece of the puzzle in creating a more sustainable future for food systems around the world. Brazil’s large biodiversity resources and agro-industrial biomass base position it as an ideal candidate for developing new bio-based and biodegradable packaging solutions.
Fai elaborated on this, stating, “Brazil has an extraordinary biodiversity… These valuable raw materials can be transformed into bio-based and biodegradable packaging for the food industry.” By using local resources, these efforts are not only sustainable but they spur prosperity in these communities.
As the biodegradable packaging market continues to grow, increasing production to accommodate growing demand won’t be an issue. This shift toward sustainable practices aligns with global efforts to minimize environmental harm while maintaining essential functions within food systems.