The biodegradable plastics market by 2031 will increase its turnover over three times. Also, biosodable plastics are increasingly developed and used. Although markets in the world record dynamic development, driven not only by customer awareness, but also by harsh environmental regulations, in Poland this potential is resorted. Meanwhile, biotworos can successfully replace most synthetic materials.
– Biotworzyw are thermoplasts, from which products can be made very similar to those we surround each other every day, only have one of two or two features in total: they can be biofocodny, i.e. made of renewable raw materials, and can also be biodegradable. Biodegradation is a process that occurs around us. In the meaning of biotworzyw, it covers as many as eight, perhaps even nine environments in which it occurs. We are talking about composting, maybe home composting, biodegradation in an open environment, or maybe underground, or maybe in sea, sweet water, finally in the human body or sewage treatment plant. Each of these environments is characterized by a kind of pH and conditions, so each time talking about biodegradation in the context of biotworzywyw, it is necessary to emphasize in what environment this biodegradation is to come – explains in an interview with Newseria agency Wojciech Pawlikowski, president of the board of Nowe. – Biotwood market in relation to biodegradable biotwoods, regardless of the environment in which we will use these plastics, grows and is currently prevailing.
The data published by the European Bioplastics shows that the global production capacity of biotwood is to increase from around 2.47 million TW 2024 to about 5.73 million TW 2029.
– Among the 10 largest chemical companies in the world, as many as nine have already done the production of biotworzyw. This shows that on the one hand, biotworos are a kind of green face of many chemical concerns. On the other hand, this is a response to consumers' expectations. Please remember that a lot of directives came in, in which it was introduced not so long ago, admittedly with a two -year delay, the so -called SUP, i.e. one -time use products, and this is followed by social expectations, which biotwood combine with broadly understood ecologicality. Biotworzywa is the segment, which not only in the expert, but also social sense should and will probably gain more and more popularity – adds Wojciech Pawlikowski.
The first of the key factors driving development will be strict environmental regulations. The already mentioned European Union Directive on one -time plastics requires a reduction in the number of this type of product and promotes biodegradable alternatives. According to the European Commission, this directive aims to reduce the emissions of the CO equivalent2 by 3.4 million t.
– The development of biotworzy is closely related and with the production of traditional plastics itself, as well as how EU regulations shape this policy. It should be taken into account that biotworzywa is still a more expensive alternative to plastics, hence, usually, if someone decides to be biotworzywa, he goes one of two directions: either these are legislative elections that are imposed, or our own preferences, elections, let's call them, ecological – says President Nowe. – It is estimated that the traditional plastics market is currently developing at a rate of about 3-4 percent. annually, while the biotwood market develops at a rate of about 23-24 percent. year to year, so it shows this dynamics of changes.
He emphasizes that in Poland it is still a crawling market.
– We have a deep, reaching the tradition of the production of traditional plastics, reaching the production of products from traditional plastics, and biotworzyw are still perceived on the one hand as a competition for traditional plastics, on the other hand we do not have the market, we do not have regulations and, above all, there is a lack of knowledge, information among consumers who could easily understand what biotwood are, recognize them and find them use for them. Hence, I would say that the market is developing, but very reluctantly – says Wojciech Pawlikowski.
Meanwhile, European companies also invest in solutions that can revolutionize their approach to biotworzyw. The Dutch Avantium has already concluded 16 contracts for the reception of PEF – a recycling of a plant polymer, which can replace PET, known from bottles for drinks. Among the recipients were concerns such as Carlsberg, Royal Vezet, LVMH and Kvadrat.
– Biotworzyw can largely replace plastics for us. We are talking here about the potential perhaps 200 or maybe 300 million t -T – indicates Wojciech Pawlikowski. – Depending on what use we would like to find, such types – biosodable and biodegradable – we will use. Where the property will be biodegradability, we will use biodegradable raw materials. An example is medicine – threads and implants that are absorbed by the body. Where it will be biofointment, we have famous examples of use in construction. Already in 1930, Henry Ford built car elements from hemp. The ability to use and replace traditional plastics and also build new areas is very large.
