Featured Stories
Web Lines | Action Plan for CD Buckles, Part 3
Web handling expert Tim Walker offers mechanisms, descriptions,a and remedies for your cross direction buckles.
Read moreShow Preview | Labelexpo Europe 2017 Is its Largest Exhibition To-Date
Show will occupy 9 halls and more than 35,000 sq meters
Read moreCoating Matters | Balancing Slot Die Design
How slot die geometry can improve flow control and reduce coating defects.
Read moreSticking With It | Overview of Radiation Curable Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives
Adhesives expert Ingrid Brase considers the benefits and drawbacks of radiation curable products.
Read more•
•
•
•
News | New Products
-
Xeikon to Show Digital Print Lineup
The company will showcase Automated Digital Print Manufacturing at Labelexpo Europe, including the 3300 press and the X-800 digital front-end
-
Pamarco Announces Anilox Roll Cleaner
CARE Wash Green is said to raise print quality and consistency
-
SPGPrints Screen Makes Packaging Glitter
RotaMesh Glitter Screen allows user to incorporate reflective inks for premium labels and packaging as well as security uses
-
Maxcess to Announce New Sensors
The SE-26B Line Guide Sensor and new DSE Digital Sensors will be launched at Labelexpo Europe
-
PCMC Acquires Graphbury Machines
The transaction brings to PCMC machinery and engineering solutions for the flexible packaging industry
-
PC Industries to Show Lineup at Labelexpo
Among the offerings will be web inspection systems for both in-line and off-line use and both wide and narrow webs
-
Demirag Announces Folder/Gluer
The DEMAK folder/gluer handles several materials and widths
White Papers
• Anti-counterfeiting Technologies for Packaging
• Hermetic-Seal Performance of BOPP Laminate Structures in VFFS Pouch Applications
• Methods and Design Considerations for the Application of Hot Melt Coatings
• Specialty Coatings to Help Packaging Stand Out in the Grocery Aisle
• BOPP Laminate Structures for “Over-the-Mountain” VFFS Pouch Applications
• How a Full Lineup of Coatings Can Transform Packaging
Expert Advice
Marketing Report How-To
Marketing Mojo Archive Stephanie Millman's Bio
Degradable Plastics Trending Positive
- Published: Wednesday, 01 December 2010 06:00
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..