Compostable plastics market

The largest share in terms of volume corresponds to the starch-based plastic market. The main applications are compost bags, shopping bags, loose-fill packaging and mulch films. 

In agriculture, mulching films, low tunnel films and accessories (clips, twines, etc.) are difficult to eliminate. It is possible to replace them by biodegradable materials that can be composted at the farm or left on site to be biodegraded in the soil. In these cases the farmer does not need to collect them, transport them or pay for elimination. In agriculture, as well as in other sectors, it is estimated that 15% of the plastic market is substitutable by biodegradable materials. 

To prove the ultimate biodegradability of a biodegradable polymer and that there is no adverse effect on the user or the environment, as well as to successfully market a plastic material as biodegradable, there are international standards in place according to which these materials can be certified. Both Ecoflex and Ecovio are certified worldwide as compostable and are approved for contact with food. 

Today, there are products that satisfy the technical requirements and have an acceptable market price. One commercial success story is represented by Mater-bi , a plastic material based on TPS and other polymers that is very versatile and suitable for applications such as composting bags, mulch film, disposable cutlery, etc. However, due to the complexity of its production, its cost is higher than conventional polyethylene or polypropylene, and it is generally sold for applications where biodegradability is mandatory. 

PLA Fusarium moniliforme Penicillium roquefort, Amycolatopsis sp. Bacillus brevis, Rhizopus delemer Torres et al. (1996), Pranamuda et al. (1997), Pranamuda and Tokiwa (1999), Tomita et al. (1999), Fukuzaki et al. (1989) Packaging and paper coatings other possible markets include sustained release systems for pesticides and fertilizers, mulch films, and compost bags Plastics recycUng-Economic and Ecological Options (2006)... 

PLA is a semicrystaUine plastic that can be injection molded, extruded or blown into film, spun into fibers, blow molded, extruded, and expansion molded. The somewhat lower thermal stability and impact strength (Lim et al., 2008) as well as the moderate oxygen/water permeability (van Tuil et al., 2000) may limit its use in some applications despite its low cost (Lunt, 1998). Compostability of PLA is emphasized in marketing PLA products even though the product is compostable, it does not readily biodegrade under ambient conditions or under anaerobic conditions (Integrated Waste Management Board, 2007) (see also Chapter 6). 

As composting of source-separated organics becomes more common, the potential markets for biodegradable plastics are likely to increase. 

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