New biodegradable polymers are entering the market, accompanied by a continuing withdrawal of other products, along with key companies entering and leaving this market. Although this niche market has been commercial for well over 20 years, it is beset with a variety of roadblocks: high prices; lack of an industrial infrastructure; and a strong legislative mandate, just to name a few.
According to a soon-to-be-released and updated technical market research report, RP-175R Biodegradable Polymers from Business Communications Co., Inc. (BCC Inc.), the global market for biodegradable polymers is currently estimated at 114 million pounds. There have been technology advances, lower pricing, new products and markets for biodegradable polymers. Average annual growth rates are still far in excess of the GDP, with forecasts for the market well over 200 million pounds by the end of the decade.