Bio-polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The polylactic acid market is projected to experience significant growth over the forecast period, driven by supportive government policies promoting bio-plastics. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted manufacturing and supply chains, the market has been on a recovery path since 2021. The high cost of polylactic acid presents a barrier to market expansion, while opportunities arise from increased production of genetically modified corn and the growing use of bio-PLA in 3D printing. The Asia-Pacific region leads in market consumption, with substantial contributions from countries such as China and Japan.

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Market Size of Bio-polylactic Acid (PLA) Industry

Bio-polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
CAGR (2024 - 2029) 20.00 %
Fastest Growing Market Asia Pacific
Largest Market Europe
Market Concentration High

Major Players

Bio-polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Analysis

The Bio-polylactic Acid Market size is estimated at 2.16 Million tons in 2024, and is expected to reach 5.5 Million tons by 2029, growing at a CAGR of greater than 20% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, nationwide lockdowns around the globe, disruption in manufacturing activities and supply chains, production halts and labor unavailability negatively impacted the market. However, the conditions started recovering in 2021, thereby restoring the growth trajectory of the market studied during the forecast period.

  • The primary factor driving the market's growth is favorable government policies toward bio-plastics.
  • On the flip side, the high cost of PLA is expected to hinder the development of the market studied.
  • The growing production of genetically modified corn and the increasing usage of bio-PLA in 3D printing are likely to act as opportunities in the future.
  • Asia-Pacific dominated the market worldwide, with the most significant consumption from countries like China and Japan.

Polylactic Acid (PLA) Industry Segmentation

Bio-Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable and bio-based aliphatic polyester that can be manufactured from renewable materials such as corn, sugarcane, cassava, and sugar beet pulp. This gives bio-PLA manufacturing a lower carbon footprint in comparison to fossil-based plastics. The bio-polylactic acid market is segmented by raw material, form, end-user industry, and geography. On the basis of raw materials, the market is segmented into corn, cassava, sugarcane and sugar beet, and other raw materials. Based on the form, the market is segmented into fiber, films and sheets, coatings, and other forms. Based on the end-user industry, the market is segmented into packaging, medical, electronics, agriculture, textile, and other end-user industries. The report also covers the market size and forecasts for the market in 15 countries across major regions. For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts have been done on the basis of volume (tons).

Raw Material
Corn
Cassava
Sugarcane and Sugar Beet
Other Raw Materials(molasses, potato, wheat)
Form
Fiber
Films and Sheets
Coatings
Other Forms
End-user Industry
Packaging
Medical
Electronics
Agriculture
Textiles
Other End-user Industries(construction, consumer goods)
Geography
Asia-Pacific
China
India
Japan
South Korea
ASEAN Countries
Rest of Asia-Pacific
North America
United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Germany
United Kingdom
France
Italy
CIS region
Rest of Europe
South America
Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America
Middle-East and Africa
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Rest of Middle-East and Africa
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Bio-polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Size Summary

The bio-polylactic acid market is poised for significant growth, driven by favorable government policies supporting bio-plastics and increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions. The market experienced disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but recovery began in 2021, restoring its growth trajectory. The packaging industry remains the largest consumer of bio-PLA, with rising concerns about hygiene and food safety further boosting demand. The shift towards online shopping post-lockdown is also expected to enhance market demand. Despite the high cost of PLA posing a challenge, opportunities exist in the growing production of genetically modified corn and the expanding use of bio-PLA in 3D printing.

Asia-Pacific, particularly China, is expected to lead the bio-polylactic acid market due to its robust manufacturing base and increasing adoption of sustainable packaging. The Chinese packaging industry is experiencing growth due to a plastic ban and a shift towards biodegradable materials. Additionally, the food processing and textile industries in China are contributing to market expansion. The bio-polylactic acid market is highly consolidated, with major players like NatureWorks LLC and Sulzer Ltd holding significant production capacity. Recent collaborations, such as Danimer Scientific's partnership with Chevron Phillips Chemical, aim to enhance the market's profile by developing high-volume biodegradable plastic products.

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Bio-polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET DYNAMICS

    1. 1.1 Drivers

      1. 1.1.1 Favorable Government Policies Promoting Bio-plastics

      2. 1.1.2 Other Drivers

    2. 1.2 Restraints

      1. 1.2.1 High Price and Other Disadvantages

      2. 1.2.2 Other Restraints

    3. 1.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis

    4. 1.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

      1. 1.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      2. 1.4.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers

      3. 1.4.3 Threat of New Entrants

      4. 1.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products and Services

      5. 1.4.5 Degree of Competition

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size in Volume)

    1. 2.1 Raw Material

      1. 2.1.1 Corn

      2. 2.1.2 Cassava

      3. 2.1.3 Sugarcane and Sugar Beet

      4. 2.1.4 Other Raw Materials(molasses, potato, wheat)

    2. 2.2 Form

      1. 2.2.1 Fiber

      2. 2.2.2 Films and Sheets

      3. 2.2.3 Coatings

      4. 2.2.4 Other Forms

    3. 2.3 End-user Industry

      1. 2.3.1 Packaging

      2. 2.3.2 Medical

      3. 2.3.3 Electronics

      4. 2.3.4 Agriculture

      5. 2.3.5 Textiles

      6. 2.3.6 Other End-user Industries(construction, consumer goods)

    4. 2.4 Geography

      1. 2.4.1 Asia-Pacific

        1. 2.4.1.1 China

        2. 2.4.1.2 India

        3. 2.4.1.3 Japan

        4. 2.4.1.4 South Korea

        5. 2.4.1.5 ASEAN Countries

        6. 2.4.1.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific

      2. 2.4.2 North America

        1. 2.4.2.1 United States

        2. 2.4.2.2 Canada

        3. 2.4.2.3 Mexico

      3. 2.4.3 Europe

        1. 2.4.3.1 Germany

        2. 2.4.3.2 United Kingdom

        3. 2.4.3.3 France

        4. 2.4.3.4 Italy

        5. 2.4.3.5 CIS region

        6. 2.4.3.6 Rest of Europe

      4. 2.4.4 South America

        1. 2.4.4.1 Brazil

        2. 2.4.4.2 Argentina

        3. 2.4.4.3 Rest of South America

      5. 2.4.5 Middle-East and Africa

        1. 2.4.5.1 Saudi Arabia

        2. 2.4.5.2 South Africa

        3. 2.4.5.3 Rest of Middle-East and Africa

Bio-polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Size FAQs

The Bio-polylactic Acid Market size is expected to reach 2.16 million tons in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of greater than 20% to reach 5.5 million tons by 2029.

In 2024, the Bio-polylactic Acid Market size is expected to reach 2.16 million tons.

Polylactic Acid Market Report Snapshots

Polylactic Acid Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)