Navigating the challenges: standards, regulation and costs

While bioplastics remain a niche with only 1% of total plastic production, there is a movement towards their wider development, says O’Connor. According to European Bioplastics, in 2020, global production capacity exceeded 2.1 million tonnes, and is projected to reach 2.9 million tonnes by 2025, mainly driven by rising demand for biodegradable polymers in emerging economies. While starch blends dominate production, growth is mainly in PHA and PLA, for which production capacity has increased by a factor of 6 and 2 respectively, over the past five years.

Around 100 companies are active in this emerging market, across various applications. They include major chemical and petrochemical companies that are shifting part of their operations towards more sustainable solutions, along with specialist manufacturers. However, the industry remains cautious about the medical applications niche due to significant constraints. The transition to bioplastics in medicine involves more than simply replacing materials, since the stakes are so high. Experts at Polyvia (the French association of polymer processors) also note that as of 2024, bioplastics for medical devices are not being produced in sufficient volumes to achieve the economies of scale that would significantly bring down prices. While medical bioplastics currently offer a more sustainable alternative, they cost 20-40% more than petroleum-based plastics, regardless of the application. The raw materials are more expensive, and biotechnology-based production processes mean that production unit sizes require a rethink. The journey for bioplastics in medicine is just beginning.