Featured Stories
Sleeve Label Awards | AWA Confers 4 with Top Honors
AWA Alexander Watson Assoc. bestows awards on four winners of its annual Sleeve Label Competition.
Read moreShow Preview | INFOFLEX 2018 Collocates with Forum in Indianapolis
More than 240 exhibitors from every facet of the package printing [ampersand] converting industries will meet more than 2000 attendees.
Read moreCoating Matters | The 6 C's of Roll-to-Roll Coating Systems
Develop a balanced approach to precision coating by understanding these six areas of concentration.
Read moreRDG Media Purchases Paper, Film & Foil Converter (PFFC)
PFFC will be the lead brand for RDG Media products.
Read more•
•
•
•
News | New Products
-
Smart Planet Technologies Starts Paper Cup Recycling Program
With support from Allan Company & Replenysh, company says reCUP Recycling Initiative takes a major step addressing global paper cup recycling problem
-
Vetaphone Corona Units Installed at CeDo
The European company says it has used Vetaphone equipment for years and has always likes the quality and consistency it produces
-
BALDWIN Acquires Digital Ink System
An agreement with Quad/Graphics results in the acquisition, allowing BALDWIN to continue development for packaging, corrugated, and more
-
DowDuPont to Invest in Expansion
The company will invest $100 Million to expand manufacturing capacity of specialty materials at Sabine River Works
-
Monadnock Announces Label Product
Envi 96 Label, part of company’s EnviPortfolio line of substrates, is said to offer high performance as well as graphics that “pop”
-
New Era Partners with Adept Converting
New Era will service clients of Adept, a manufacturer’s representative, with both companies excited to bring their expertise together
-
Flint Announces New-Generation Sleeves
The rotec Smart Sleeve and rotec High Performance Sleeve are said to provide easy mounting and superior performance
White Papers
• Designing a Successful Retort-Grade Packaging Structure
• Hermetic-Seal Performance of BOPP Laminate Structures in VFFS Pouch Applications
• Methods and Design Considerations for the Application of Hot Melt Coatings
• BOPP Laminate Structures for “Over-the-Mountain” VFFS Pouch Applications
Expert Advice
Is P&G’s New Freshies Packaging a Good Idea?
Innovation Station Archive Jackie Marolda's Bio
Brand Reputation on the Line?
Marketing Mojo Archive Stephanie Millman's Bio
Degradable Plastics Trending Positive
- Published: December 01, 2010
CLEVELAND, OH | The degradable plastic industry is showing positive trends driven by continuing interest in environmental issues as well as the increasing availability of biodegradable plastics. These conclusions are from a new report by The Freedonia Group.
US demand for degradable plastics is forecast to rise 16.6%/yr to 325 million lb in 2014, valued at $380 million. Opportunities will reflect continued capacity growth, efforts to reduce pollution and US reliance on petroleum products, and consumer demand for sustainable, environmentally friendly packaging and manufactured goods.
Polylactic acid (PLA) and starch-based plastics dominate the market, and both are expected to see strong growth. PLA will register the faster gains due to increased availability, greater processor familiarity, and performance enhancements that will expand potential applications. Starch-based resins will benefit from the introduction of improved resin grades, blending with other biopolymers and an increasing number of suppliers.
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a new product, had negligible sales in 2009, but the report predicts rapid growth over the next ten years.
For more information on Degradable Plastics, visit www.freedoniagroup.com.
| US Degradable Plastic Demand (million pounds) | % Annual Growth | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item | 2004 | 2009 | 2014 | 04-09 | 09-14 |
| Polylactic Acid | 20 | 55 | 140 | 22.4 | 20.5 |
| Starch-Based | 25 | 50 | 85 | 14.9 | 11.2 |
| Cellulose | 16 | 20 | 25 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Petroleum-Based | 12 | 19 | 30 | 9.6 | 9.6 |
| Polyhydroxyalkanoates | — | 1 | 35 | — | 103.6 |
| Other | 4 | 6 | 10 | 8.4 | 10.8 |
| Total | 77 | 151 | 325 | 14.4 | 16.6 |
©2010 by The Freedonia Group
What's happening at your company? Send your news to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..