North America Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030

North America Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market, By Type (Racemic PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid), Regular PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid), PDLA (Poly-D-Lactic Acid), and PDLLA (Poly-Dl-Lactic Acid)), Raw Material (Corn, Cassava, Sugarcane, Sugar Beet, and Others), Form (Films and Sheets, Coatings, Fiber, Others), Application (Packaging, Transport, Agriculture, Medical, Electronics, Textile, Hygiene, Others), End User (Plastic Films, Bottles, Biodegradable Medical Devices) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030.

North America Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Analysis and Size

The essential factors contributing to the growth of the North America polylactic acid (PLA) market in the forecast period of 2023 to 2030 include the increasing demand for biodegradable packaging alternative from the packaging industry. Also, PLA as an alternative to petroleum-based polymers is significantly contributing to the market’s growth.

Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the North America polylactic acid (PLA) market which was USD 223.31 million in 2022, is expected to reach USD 522.10 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.2 % during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. In 2023, packaging segment will dominate the market due to the increasing demand for a multi-layer packaging for preventing oxygen and water permeation, increasing demand for biodegradable packaging alternatives from the packaging industry. In addition to the insights on market scenarios such as market value, growth rate, segmentation, geographical coverage, and major players, the market reports curated by the Data Bridge Market Research also include in-depth expert analysis, geographically represented company-wise production and capacity, network layouts of distributors and partners, detailed and updated price trend analysis and deficit analysis of supply chain and demand.

North America Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Scope and Segmentation

Market Definition

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a type of renewable plastic primarily derived from renewable materials like corn starch and sugarcane. Polylactic acid (PLA) possesses several beneficial mechanical properties over other biodegradable polymers. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic aliphatic polymer, and this bioplastic is produced from the crystallization of lactic acid. Having a chemical formula (C3H4O2) n, the polylactic acid (PLA) is a semi-crystalline and biodegradable hydrophobic polymer. Polylactic acid (PLA) can be broken down into a range of biodegradable components, which makes it ideal for application by a wide range of applications.

North America Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Increasing Demand for Biodegradable Packaging Alternatives

Increasing demand for biodegradable packaging alternatives from the packaging industry is an important driver for the North America polylactic acid (PLA) market. PLA can be an alternative to petroleum-based polymers. The growing demand for bio-based plastic film in agriculture is expected to boost the growth of the North America polylactic acid (PLA) market. The multi-functionalities of PLA and growing consumer inclination towards eco-friendly plastic products are accepted to bring opportunity to the North America polylactic acid (PLA) market. However, poor performance issues compared to conventional plastic challenge North America polylactic acid (PLA) market growth.

• Growing Demand for Bio-Based Plastics Film in Agriculture

With growing awareness regarding disposal problems of non-degradable films, applications of polylactic acid-based mulch films are expected to witness an increase in the agriculture sector. Mulch films are extensively used in the cultivation of fruits & vegetables. The mechanical properties of PLA are comparable to the existing mulch film products and have the advantage of being completely biodegradable through a single growing season. This will positively impact the market growth and act as a driver for the North America polylactic acid (PLA) market.

Opportunities

• Growing Consumer Inclination Towards Eco-Friendly Plastic Product

Furthermore, the richness of biomass, research-driven resources, strong downstream industry demand, material supply, and supporting government policy has created significant bioplastic business opportunities in these regions. The growth has also been supported by improving consumer awareness regarding sustainable plastic solutions and increasing efforts to eliminate the use of non-biodegradable conventional plastics PLA. Traditionally used petroleum-based plastics take decades to break down or degrade and lay in landfills for a long period. PLA breaks down faster when they are discarded and absorbed back into the natural system. In addition, the decomposition rate of biodegradable plastics such as PLA by the activities of microorganisms is much faster than that of traditional plastics.

• Multi-Functionalities of PLA

Multi-functionalities and extensive use of PLA in different industries and applications will provide lucrative opportunities for growth in the North America polylactic acid (PLA) market. Bas Polylactic acid is biodegradable and industrially compostable. Among the first renewable polymers, we can compete with the existing polymers, combining their functional characteristics, such as transparency, gloss, and stiffness. Polylactic acid is currently used in many industries and applications, including packaging, single-use tableware, textiles, oil & gas, electronics, automotive, and 3D printing. Due to the various and versatile uses of polylactic acid across multiple industries and the multi-functionalities of polylactic acids, the market is projected to witness significant growth opportunities in the near future.

Restraints/Challenges

• Unpredictable Raw Material Prices

The production costs of polylactic acid and related products are witnessing a significant increase due to the higher costs of raw materials along with transportation, energy consumed, and chemicals, which reduces margins for manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers. Thus, resulting in high end-user application prices.

• Concerns Over Cost and Specific Industrial Composting System

The usage of polylactic acids in small and medium enterprises has been challenging due to the lack of resources or the technology and facilities required for the extraction and fermentation of high-quality lactic acid and polylactic acid. Moreover, the selection of the right composition of polylactic acid is a key aspect that many companies have not figured out accurately. This increases the production cost of polylactic acid due to a lack of appropriate technology and techniques. The selection of the right composition of lactic acid for the production of polylactic acid is a complex method that requires validation at a laboratory and factory-scale level.

Impact and Current Market Scenario of Raw Material Shortage and Shipping Delays

Data Bridge Market Research offers a high-level analysis of the market and delivers information by keeping in account the impact and current market environment of raw material shortage and shipping delays. This translates into assessing strategic possibilities, creating effective action plans, and assisting businesses in making important decisions. Apart from the standard report, we also offer in-depth analysis of the procurement level from forecasted shipping delays, distributor mapping by region, commodity analysis, production analysis, price mapping trends, sourcing, category performance analysis, supply chain risk management solutions, advanced benchmarking, and other services for procurement and strategic support.

Expected Impact of Economic Slowdown on the Pricing and Availability of Products

When economic activity slows, industries begin to suffer. The forecasted effects of the economic downturn on the pricing and accessibility of the products are taken into account in the market insight reports and intelligence services provided by DBMR. With this, our clients can typically keep one step ahead of their competitors, project their sales and revenue, and estimate their profit and loss expenditures.

Recent Development                 

• In June 2022, the Australian food packaging manufacturer Confoil and BASF partnered to develop a certified compostable and dual ovenable food tray based on paper. The paper tray is coated inside with BASF's ecovio PS 1606, a partly bio-based and certified compostable biopolymer especially developed for coating food packaging made of paper or board. This partnership will intensify the company's operations in the North America market

North America Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Scope

The North America polylactic acid (PLA) market is segmented on the basis of type, raw material, form, application, and end user. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyse meagre growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to help them make strategic decisions for identifying core market applications.

Type

• Racemic PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid)
• Regular PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid)
• PDLA (Poly-D-Lactic Acid)
• PDLLA (Poly-Dl-Lactic Acid)

Raw Material

• Corn
• Cassava
• Sugarcane
• Sugar Beet
• Others

Form

• Films and Sheets
• Coatings
• Fiber
• Others

Application

• Packaging
• Transport
• Agriculture
• Medical
• Electronics
• Textile
• Hygiene
• Others

End User

• Plastic Films
• Bottles
• Biodegradable Medical Devices

North America Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Regional Analysis/Insights

North America polylactic acid (PLA) market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by type, raw material, form, application, and end user as referenced above.

The countries covered in the North America polylactic acid (PLA) market report are U.S., Canada and Mexico.

U.S. dominates the North America polylactic acid (PLA) market due to the strict regulations on environmental safety by various governments. In addition, growing demand for bio-based plastics film in agriculture also contributes in the market growth.

Canada is expected to grow during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030 because of the rising demand for biodegradable packaging alternatives from the packaging industry, hence contributing in the market growth.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulations in the market domestically that impacts the current and future trends of the market. Data points like down-stream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends and porter's five forces analysis, case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.   

Competitive Landscape and North America Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market Share Analysis

The North America polylactic acid (PLA) market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to North America polylactic acid (PLA) market.

Some of the major players operating in the North America polylactic acid (PLA) market are:

• BASF SE (Germany)
• Futerro (Belgium)
• NatureWorks LLC (U.S.)
• TotalEnergies Corbion (Netherlands)
• Sulzer Ltd (Switzerland)
• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Japan)
• TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC. (Japan)
• Merck KGaA (Germany)
• Musashino Chemical Laboratory, Ltd. (Japan)
• Evonik Industries AG (Germany)
• Polyvel Inc. (U.S.)
• UNITIKA LTD. (Japan)
• Jiangxi Academy of Sciences Biological New Materials Co., Ltd. (China)
• Shanghai Tong-jie-liang Biomaterials Co., Ltd. (China)
• Zhejiang Hisun Biomaterials Co., Ltd. (China)
• Radici Partecipazioni SpA (Italy)