Tracking the Shift in Food Packaging Industry due to Introduction of Biodegradable Films and Compostable Plastics

   

Biodegradable films are films made from plastic; however, certain additives are added to plastic during manufacturing which help in breaking down the plastic. Hence, biodegradable films are also called compostable plastics. In certain cases, instead of additive-based plastic, compostable films are made from starch and cellulose. Both these types offer excellent protection against moisture and contamination, in addition to being eco-friendly.

Biodegradable films in food packaging industry

Plastic pollution has been one of the biggest threats to the environment in the past few decades. The food processing industry is one of the biggest plastic waste generating sectors. Hence, it has been severely criticized by civil societies and environmentalists for their contribution to plastic pollution. Apart from this, several governments have enacted laws to curb plastic pollution. Both these factors have brought paradigm shift in the food processing industry. Biodegradable films are slowly replacing traditional petroleum-based films for packaging both liquid and solid food items.

Biodegradable films are generally manufactured using biopolymers. Today, biodegradable films are used to manufacture paper boards, containers, pouches, edible coating, egg trays, etc. In the past few years, biopolymers are manufactured using various raw materials like whey protein isolate, gluten, zein, chitosan, and soy protein isolate. Zein and whey protein isolates increases tensile strength of the film, while at the same time, offering excellent moisture barrier properties. Even gluten and chitosan provide good mechanical strength to the films. Chitosan also offers anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties to compostable plastics. Such plastics can then be used to package perishable food items so that they can be stored for a long time. Certain raw materials like gluten provide oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier which increases the shelf-life of the packaged food items.

Growth drivers of the market

The biodegradable film market has experienced huge growth in the past few years. According to a market research report by Allied Market Research, the market may gather a revenue of $2.3 billion by 2032. The huge growth of this industry is owing to certain important trends in the market. Firstly, the wide applicability of compostable plastics in various end-use industries is the primary reason behind the growth of this market. Not just end-use industries, compostable plastics are also used in waste collection and landfill due to their obvious biodegradability advantage. Another reason behind the growth of this industry is the rise in environmental awareness among people across the world. As a result, the demand for biodegradable plastics has increased, thereby fueling the growth of the market.

The strategic alliances by leading companies of the market are also having an indirect positive impact on the industry. These strategic alliances help not just the involving parties but also the market, in that, they expand the scope of the industry. For instance, SK Capital, an investment company, announced the acquisition of Ecopol, a biodegradable films manufacturing company. Since SK Capital regularly invests in companies specializing in specialty materials and life sciences, this acquisition will help SK Capital to broaden its operations in the coming period.

The global biodegradable films market, thus, is being propelled by the increasing adoption of compostable plastics by the food packaging industry. Increasing environmental awareness across the globe will aid in the flourishing of the market in the coming period.

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