Starch Polymers Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 To 2025

Shift in trend towards reducing reliance on petrochemical products is expected to remain a key driving factor for global starch polymers market over the next six years. Starch consists of highly branched polysaccharide amylopectin & linear polysaccharide amylase and is derived from photosynthesis in plants that includes rice wheat, corn, and potato. Increasing petrochemical prices coupled with depleting fossil fuel reserves is expected to have a significant effect on the starch polymers market growth. Starch polymers along with providing environmental benefits are also expected to provide economical benefits to manufacturers in the long run. Synthetic polymers are non-recyclable, non-renewable, non-biodegradable, and incorporate toxic additives into the surrounding environment. Increasing government intervention to reduce the effect of greenhouse gases (GNG) is also expected to drive the starch polymers market. Starch polymers are widely used for food packaging, textile sizing agents, adhesives, and healthcare applications. A positive outlook on the global packaging industry particularly industrial packaging and bag & sack films is expected to have a positive influence on the market growth. The packaging industry dominated the application for starch polymers in the past few years.

Large scale production of other bio-based products such as polylactic acid (PLA) is expected to remain a key challenge for market participants. Bio-based PLA manufactured from chemical treatment of sugar and native starch has excellent physical properties in comparison to starch polymers. Companies have been investing heavily in their R&D to develop novel application of starch polymers, which hold immense market potential. Starch can be modified using plasticizers, esterification, and blending with fossil-based products. This improves the melting properties for fabrication of thermoplastic starch (TPS) products. Blending of plasticized starch with various polymers helps to overcome the limitations of physical properties. Loose foam films and “take away” food containers are potential applications of starch polymers based products.

Europe accounts for a major share in the starch polymers market mainly on account of favorable regulatory environment for bio-based/renewable chemical manufacturers. Following Europe, North America is expected to witness an increase in starch polymer demand. Other significant demand is expected from emerging economies of Asia Pacific and South America. Emerging markets in these regions such as China, India, Brazil, and Mexico are anticipated to witness higher growth rate owing to population expansion and increase in disposable incomes.

Key industry participants include Novamont, Japan Corn Starch, Biotec, and Rodenberg. Other major players include BIOP, Plantic, Wuhun Huali Environment Protection Sci & Tech, Biograde, PSM, and Livan.