Market study on "Bio-based Polymers in the World
 - Capacities, Production and Applications: Status Quo and Trends towards 2020"

Study background

The bio-based polymers branch is a dynamic, versatile field, in which bio-based polymers have reached development stages that range from research level, via initial market adoption to long-term established performance plastics like cellulosics or nylon – all of them revealing significant market growth.


A number of factors affect the growth rate of the bio-based polymer branch. These factors include state policy, technology, feedstock cost competition (biomass versus fossil fuels) crude oil prices, consumer acceptance, and, last but not least, access to clear and reliable market data.


There was in fact broad agreement - not only from the major industrial players but also from the user side - about the need for solid, transparent and worldwide market data on the bio-based polymer branch.
This need was a major stimulus for conducting this market survey. The nova-Institute has therefore tried to provide some clarity and transparency to the market by launching the most comprehensive international market study of bio-based polymers to date.


The nova-Institute carried out this study in conjunction with renowned international experts from the field of bio-based polymers. During a preparatory phase from August 2011 to the end of that year, interested stakeholders from the bio-based polymer branch were invited to become a partner of the study. The multi-client survey was funded by 26 renowned companies and institutions from 11 countries around the world. These companies had full access to intermediate results and sat on the Advisory Board, which met four times during the project.

It is the first time that a study has looked at every kind of bio-based polymer produced by 247 companies at 363 locations around the world and it examines in detail 114 companies in 135 locations.