PHA Production Capacity and Economic Aspects

In spite of announced production increase, PHA still represents today very few percent (1.6% in 2013) vs. all bioplastics. According to the European Bioplastics Association, in 2012 production capacities amounted to approximately 1.4 million ton (defining bioplastics as partly or fully bio-based plastics, biodegradable, or both). Market data of European Bioplastics forecasts production capacities will multiply by 2017—to more than 6 million ton. While PHA still has a minor production whereas drop in solutions such as bio-based PE and PET have taken a major place [73]. 

According to the Table 24.6 below, PHA capacity was around 80,000 tpa in 2009. PHAs are forecast to achieve 41% growth over the 2010-2020 period according to a study from Pira [74]. Nevertheless, European capacities are quite limited with mainly two small producers Bio-On and Biomer [e.g., 500 tpa for Biomer), and as previously discussed, the greatest plans for growth are in Japan and China as well as in the United States to some extent. 

The main drivers of this growth are consumer demand for environment-friendly products and the volatile price of petroleum, different policies enforced in different countries that support the increase use renewable sourced raw materials [e.g.. Lead Market Initiative for Bio-based Products] or directives for sound environment-friendly end of life [e.g., European Directive on waste [2008/98/CE] and packaging and packaging waste [94/62/CE and 2004/12/CE]]. 

Source. Adapted by the authors from the Plan for Use and Dissemination of the foreground of the OliPHA project [10], 

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