BIODEGRADABLE MULCH FILM MARKET ANALYSIS

Biodegradable mulch film is used to increase soil fertility, retain moisture, reduce weed growth, and regulate soil temperature. It is made out of plant starches and sugars or polyester fibers. Biodegradable mulch film helps reduce the amount of herbicides used in the farms as well as lessen the number of workers engaged in agriculture throughout the growing season. At the end of the season, the biodegradable mulch film gets degraded, and carbon dioxide and water are released into the atmosphere with no more harmful contents. No labors are required for the removal of decomposed waste as its get evaporated, thereby making it cost efficient as well.

One of the major drivers for biodegradable mulch film market is the significant demand from farming industry. Tablets and capsules are widely sold in blister packaging. The added advantages are product safety assurance and multiple product packaging.

Biodegradable Mulch Film Market Taxonomy

The global biodegradable mulch film market is segmented as follows,

On the basis of Biodegradable Plastics;

• Thermoplastic Starch (TPS)
• Aliphatic-Aromatic Copolyesters (AAC)
• Controlled Degradation Masterbatches

On the basis of Composition;

• Starch
• Starch Blended With Polylactic Acid (PLA)
• Starch Blended With Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)

On the basis of Application;

• Onion
• Strawberry Crops
• Flowers & Plants
• Tomato
• Others

The starch composition segment is expected to have the largest market share in terms of revenue over the forecast period owing to its wide availability, applications and low cost. Among the product type, thermoplastic starch is projected to have high CAGR attributed to its renewability, low cost and availability of crops.

Biodegradable Mulch Film Market Outlook

• Asia Pacific is the largest and estimated to be the fastest growing market in the forecast period due to burgeoning growth in the farming industry, which has been driven by the large population in India and China. The use of biodegradable mulch films is increasing due to strong increase in demand for eco-friendly products
• Europe is estimated to be the second largest market for biodegradable mulch film. The projected growth in Europe is driven by the rising use of the product for enhancing the yield, high R&D investments, strong government support, and rising health consciousness among public
• In North America, the market is mainly influenced by the rising food safety concerns among the growing population along with the need for high crop yield
• In Latin America, Argentina is the leading country for onion production. Onions account for around 39% of all vegetable export from Argentina. This has translated into biodegradable mulch film market growth

Various biodegradable mulch film manufacturing companies mainly focusing on product development and are implementing new innovations to achieve better market position in the global biodegradable mulch film market. In 2017, Walki, one of the leading producer of protective packaging materials, developed a new soil mulching solution based on biodegradable fiber, used for weed control and to improve soil conditions.

Key Developments:

For instance, in August 2019, BASF SE launched biodegradable mulching film Ecovio M 2351. The mulch films consisting of the biodegradable co-polyester polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and other biodegradable polymers made from renewable raw materials. The naturally occurring microorganism utilizes PBAT as food and does not remain any bio-plastic in the soil.

In May 2019, BASF SE partnered with Lactips to

In May 2018, Novamont S.Pa. presented its biodegradable mulch film made of Mater-Bi in the international conference CIPA Congress 2018. MATER-BI is biodegradable and compostable bioplastics made using starches, cellulose, vegetable oils and their combinations.

In April 2012, Kingfa Sci & Tech Co Ltd launched 30,000 metric tons of capacity of 100 percent biodegradable EcoPond-branded polylactic acid/polybutylene succinic polymer into the Chinese market.

Some of the major players in the biodegradable mulch film market include BASF SE (Germany), BioBag International AS (Norway), Kingfa Sci & Tech Co Ltd (China), AEP Industries Inc. (U.S.), RKW SE (Germany), British Polythene Industries PLC (U.K.), Armando Alvarez (Spain), Al-Pack Enterprises Ltd. (Canada), Novamont S.Pa. (Italy), and AB Rani Plast OY (Finland), among others.