The global market for biodegradable plastics is projected to more than triple by 2031, with bio-based plastics also seeing rapid growth and increasing applications. While markets worldwide are expanding swiftly—driven by consumer awareness and strict environmental regulations—Poland has only just begun to tap into this potential. Yet bioplastics can successfully replace many traditional synthetic materials.
“Bioplastics are thermoplastics that can be used to create products very similar to those we use every day. The difference is that they have one or both of two characteristics: they are either bio-based (made from renewable raw materials), biodegradable, or both,”
explains Wojciech Pawlikowski, CEO of Noweko, in an interview with Newseria.
Biodegradation, he notes, is a natural process that occurs in various environments—compost heaps (including home composting), open environments, underground, seawater, freshwater, the human body, and wastewater treatment plants. Each environment has different pH levels and conditions, so it’s essential to specify the context in which biodegradation is expected to occur when discussing bioplastics.
Bio-Based Plastics Are Outpacing Biodegradables
The segment of bio-based plastics is growing even faster than biodegradable ones. According to European Bioplastics, global bioplastic production capacity is expected to grow from 2.47 million tonnes in 2024 to 5.73 million tonnes by 2029.
“Nine out of the world’s top 10 chemical companies are now producing bioplastics. This reflects both a green rebranding strategy and a response to growing consumer expectations. Regulatory pressure is increasing, such as the recent introduction of the EU’s Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive, albeit delayed by two years. It’s a signal that society wants more sustainable solutions—and bioplastics are at the center of that shift,”
Pawlikowski adds.
Environmental Regulations as a Key Driver
One of the most significant growth drivers is environmental regulation. The EU’s SUP directive mandates a reduction in single-use plastics and promotes biodegradable alternatives. According to the European Commission, the directive is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 3.4 million tonnes.
“The development of bioplastics is closely linked to both the production of traditional plastics and how EU regulations shape this policy. Currently, bioplastics are still more expensive than traditional plastics. That’s why their adoption is typically driven either by regulations or by ecological consumer preferences,”
explains Pawlikowski.
While traditional plastic markets are growing at around 3–4% annually, bioplastics are expanding at a staggering 23–24% year-on-year growth rate, showcasing the sector’s accelerating momentum.
Poland: A Market Still in Its Infancy
Despite global trends, Poland’s bioplastics market remains underdeveloped.
“Poland has a long history in traditional plastics production dating back to the 1970s. Bioplastics, on the other hand, are still seen as a competitor to conventional plastics. We lack a functioning market, clear regulations, and—most importantly—consumer awareness. People don’t yet understand what bioplastics are, how to recognize them, or where to use them,”
says Pawlikowski.
“The market is growing, but very slowly.”
Europe Moves Ahead with Revolutionary Solutions
Meanwhile, European companies are actively investing in breakthrough solutions. Dutch firm Avantium has signed 16 offtake agreements for its PEF (plant-based, recyclable polymer), which could replace PET in beverage bottles. Major partners include Carlsberg, Royal Vezet, LVMH, and Kvadrat.
“Bioplastics have the potential to replace 200 to 300 million tonnes of conventional plastics,”
Pawlikowski claims.
“Depending on the application, we’ll use different types—bio-based or biodegradable. In medicine, for instance, we already use biodegradable materials for sutures and implants absorbed by the body. For construction, bio-based materials have a long history—Henry Ford even used hemp-based components in cars back in the 1930s. The possibilities for replacing traditional plastics and developing new markets are vast.”
As regulations tighten and demand for sustainable materials increases, bioplastics are set to play a key role in the global materials transition. However, for countries like Poland to participate meaningfully, greater awareness, regulatory support, and industry engagement are urgently needed.
