Biodegradable Plastics (US industry forecasts for 2012 & 2017)

SUMMARY

US demand to grow nearly 20% annually through 2012

Demand for biodegradable plastic in the US is forecast to expand nearly 16 percent per year to 720 million pounds in 2012, valued at $845 million. Average prices will continue to decline as a result of higher capacity and greater production efficiencies, as well as price mixes reflecting fastest growth for the lower priced resins. Myriad opportunities are anticipated based on a more competitive pricing structure, increased competitiveness with petroleum-based polymers, and growing environmental, governmental and consumer initiatives for greater use of sustainable resources. Biodegradable plastic applications are also being expanded by developing testing and certification standards and enhanced performance properties brought about by more sophisticated polymerization and blending techniques.

Study coverage

Biodegradable Plastics examines the biodegradable plastics industry in the US by type and market. Historical data are presented (1997, 2002 and 2007), as well as forecasts for 2012 and 2017 in pounds and dollars.

The market environment examines trends in markets such as film, bottle and food packaging, as well as pricing factors, degradability standards and international activity. The industry structure analyzes market share, reviews merger and acquisition activity, research and development efforts and international markets. In addition, the study also evaluates market share and profiles 35 competitors active in the US industry.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

II. MARKET ENVIRONMENT

• General
• Macroeconomic Overview
• Consumer Income & Spending Trends
• Demographic & Household Trends
• Packaging Outlook
  • Plastic Film
  • Plastic Beverage Bottles
  • Plastic Foodservice Disposables
  • Loose-Fill Packaging
• Manufacturers' Outlook
• Agricultural Outlook
• Manufactured Fiber Overview
• Nonwoven Disposables Overview
• New Developments
• Capacity Additions
• Thermoplastic Resin Outlook
• Historical Trends
• Pricing Trends
• Solid Waste Management
  • Landfills
  • Recycling
  • Incineration
  • Composting
• Degradability Standards
• Regulatory & Legislative Environment
• Plastic Recycling
• International Activity
  • Europe
  • Japan
  • Other Countries

III. TYPES

• General
• Raw Materials
• Biodegradable/Compostable Plastic
  • Starch-Based Plastic
    • Products
    • Producers
  • Polylactic Acid
    • Packaging
    • Fiber
    • Other Uses
  • Cellophane
  • Polyester-Based Plastic
    • Types
    • Producers
  • Other Biodegradable/Compostable Plastics
• Photodegradable Plastic
  • Applications
  • Producers
• Other Biodegradable Plastics
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol
  • Polyethylene Oxide & Other Types

IV. MARKETS

• General
• Packaging
  • Film
  • Ring Carriers
  • Biodegradable Loose-Fill
  • Foodservice
  • Molded & Other
• Nonpackaging Film
• Fiber
  • Bedding & Apparel
  • Other
• Other Markets
  • Medical
  • All Other

V. INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

• General
• Market Share
  • NatureWorks
  • Innovia Films
  • ITW Hi-Cone
  • Novamont
  • Other Producers
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Manufacturing Requirements
• Research & Development
• Marketing Strategies
• Channels of Distribution
• Competitive Strategies
• Cooperative Agreements

COMPANY PROFILES

• American Excelsior Company
• Ampacet Corporation
• AMYLEX Corporation
• Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
• BASF AG
• BioBag International AS
• BIOgroupUSA Incorporated, see BioBag International AS
• Cargill Incorporated
• Celanese Corporation
• Cereplast Incorporated
• Cortec Corporation
• DaniMer Scientific LLC
• Dow Chemical Company
• DuPont (EI) de Nemours
• DURECT Corporation
• Eastman Chemical Company
• Free-Flow Packaging International Incorporated
• Illinois Tool Works Incorporated
• Innovia Films Limited
• KTM Industries Incorporated
• Kuraray Company Limited
• Metabolix Incorporated
• Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Incorporated
• NatureWorks LLC, see Cargill Incorporated and
  • Teijin Limited
• Novamont SpA
• Pak-Lite Incorporated
• Perstorp AB
• PGLA-1, see Cargill Incorporated
• Procter & Gamble Company
• ReNewable Products Incorporated
• Solae LLC, see DuPont (EI) de Nemours
• Solvay SA
• StarchTech Incorporated
• Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH
• Teijin Limited
• Telles LLC, see Archer-Daniels-Midland and Metabolix
• Wilkinson Industries Incorporated

LIST OF TABLES

SECTION I -- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• Summary Table

SECTION II -- MARKET ENVIRONMENT

• Macroeconomic Indicators
• Personal Consumption Expenditures
• Population & Households
• Packaging Shipments by Material
• Plastic Film Demand
• Plastic Beverage Bottle Demand
• Plastic Foodservice Disposables: Resin Demand
• Loose-Fill Packaging Demand
• Manufacturers' Shipments
• Agricultural Indicators
• Manufactured Fiber Demand
• Personal Hygiene Products & Consumer Wipe Demand
• Thermoplastic Resin Demand by Type
• Biodegradable Plastic Market, 1997-2007
• Biodegradable Plastic Prices
• Municipal Solid Waste Management by Process

SECTION III -- TYPES

• Biodegradable Plastic Demand by Type
• Biodegradable/Compostable Plastic Demand by Type
• Starch-Based Biodegradable Plastic Demand by Use
• Polylactic Acid Demand by Use
• Polylactic Acid Demand in Packaging by Use
• Polylactic Acid Demand in Fiber by Use
• Polylactic Acid Demand in Other Uses
• Cellophane Demand by Use
• Polyester-Based Biodegradable Plastic Demand by Use
• Other Biodegradable/Compostable Plastic Demand by Use
• Photodegradable Plastic Demand by Use
• Other Biodegradable Plastic Demand by Use

SECTION IV -- MARKETS

• Biodegradable Plastic Demand by Market
• Packaging Markets for Biodegradable Plastic by Type
• Film Markets for Biodegradable Plastic
• Ring Carrier Market for Biodegradable Plastic
• Biodegradable Loose-Fill Packaging Demand
• Biodegradable Foodservice Disposables Demand by Use
• Molded & Other Packaging Markets for Biodegradable Plastic
• Nonpackaging Film Markets for Biodegradable Plastic by Use
• Fiber Markets for Biodegradable Plastic by Use
• Other Markets for Biodegradable Plastic

SECTION V -- INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

• US Biodegradable Plastic Sales by Company, 2007
• Selected Acquisitions & Divestitures
• Selected Cooperative Agreements

LIST OF CHARTS

SECTION II -- MARKET ENVIRONMENT

• Plastic Film Demand by Type, 2007
• Thermoplastic Resin Demand by Type, 2007
• Biodegradable Plastic Market, 1995-2007
• Municipal Solid Waste Management by Process, 2007

SECTION III -- TYPES

• Biodegradable/Compostable Plastic Demand by Type, 2007

SECTION IV -- MARKETS

• Packaging Markets for Biodegradable Plastic by Type, 2007

SECTION V -- INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

• US Biodegradable Plastic Market Share, 2007