According to the Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover, production capacity for biodegradable bio-based polymers (such as PLA and PHA) and non-biodegradable bio-based plastics (such as bio-PE, bio-PET, and bio-PP) is projected to rise from the current 2.84 million tonnes to approximately 5.40 million tonnes.
PLA currently holds a dominant market share of nearly 40%, a trend expected to continue. While the outlook is promising, the use of bioplastics presents certain challenges, particularly regarding processing and additives.
SÜDPACK Launches PLA+PBS Composite Materials
SÜDPACK is a leading European manufacturer of high-end flexible packaging and functional films, specializing in food packaging, sterile pharmaceutical packaging, specialty composite films, and bio-based modified materials.
The company's recently developed bio-based PLA and PBS composite materials represent a new generation of sustainable plastics. Combining excellent technical performance with environmental compliance, they offer vast possibilities for future applications. Through meticulous analysis during the early stages of product development and the selection of appropriate formulations, the materials' mechanical strength, functional properties, and visual characteristics can be precisely tailored without compromising quality or processability.
PLA-based composites offer high mechanical strength, superior surface quality, and ease of modification. In contrast, PBS-based composites provide enhanced flexibility and impact resistance, alongside the advantage of controllable biodegradability. Depending on the specific formulation and application requirements, these materials can be engineered to biodegrade under specific conditions.
For applications traditionally requiring polyolefins, SÜDPACK also offers PP and PE composites made from bio-based raw materials. These products help reduce the consumption of fossil resources while maintaining original material properties and compatibility with existing processing technologies.
Bio-based PLA Films
These innovative, high-performance films from the Planova® series are setting new standards in their respective fields. PLA films have long been a key component of SÜDPACK's sustainable product portfolio. Derived from natural raw materials such as sugarcane or corn starch, these films are food-safe and-depending on the specific formulation-biodegradable under industrial composting conditions.
This product range is suitable for a wide variety of applications: from packaging for fresh produce-such as lettuce, fruit, vegetables, cut flowers, and herbs-that primarily serves a protective function without requiring specialized barrier properties, to technical and industrial uses including textile packaging, transport films, protective films, and films for soil covering or plant wrapping. Thanks to their exceptional transparency, these bio-based films are also ideal for creating shopping bags or display windows in paper-based products, such as bread bags and envelopes.
For the packaging of medical devices and products, SÜDPACK customers benefit from a perfect balance of performance, product protection, and sustainability. Planova films also offer distinct advantages at the point of sale: their high transparency, pleasant tactile feel, and diverse design options help products stand out effectively.
