The Future of Plastics, Bioplastics and Beyond

We all know that there’s an issue with plastic in our society. As well as huge ‘islands’ of the stuff washing up in the middle of the ocean, microplastics are even being found inside the human body. Our food chain is well and truly contaminated with plastic, and while we don’t know the full consequences of that at this point, we do know it’s bad. For these reasons, the plastic industry is facing a turning point, and the demand for alternative materials is on the rise. One of the most promising solutions that we can see up and coming is bioplastics- these are plastics made from renewable resources like corn starch, sugarcane and even algae (instead of fossil fuels like oil). But what does this mean for you as a small to medium sized manufacturer?

Environmental Benefits

Bioplastics offer a huge advantage over traditional plastics because they’re biodegradable and compostable. This means they can break down naturally over time, reducing pollution and harm to ecosystems. Traditional plastics often take hundreds of years to break down, and when they do, they leak toxins into the environment and break up into microplastics which can easily end up inside the bodies of living creatures. For small to medium-sized manufacturers, bioplastics presents an opportunity to meet consumer demand for more eco friendly products and align with their sustainability goal too.

Cost

One of the biggest downsides currently to using bioplastics over traditional kinds is the cost. Right now, bioplastics tend to be more expensive to produce than traditional plastics and this can be a barrier for smaller manufacturers who have limited budgets. The availability of raw materials can also be an issue, as while renewable resources like corn and sugarcane are abundant, fluctuations in supply and demand can all impact pricing and availability. This can then affect production schedules and costs which can be especially challenging for smaller companies.

Market Demand

Market demand plays a crucial role when it comes to bioplastics. While there is growing consumer interest in sustainable products, if you plan on going in this direction yourself as a small business it’s essential to make sure the market interest for bioplastics is there. As bad as regular plastic can be, there’s no denying there are some benefits to it as well otherwise we’d simply stop using it. Look at the benefits of plastic bottles for example, they’re convenient, sturdy and keep drinks fizzy. If you’re a plastic bottle manufacturer it would be important to make sure that any alternatives fit the bill in the same way, and extras like child resistant closures work the same way. As a small or medium sized manufacturer you need to assess your consumer preferences and trends carefully to determine how viable investing in bioplastic production is. Conducting market research and staying informed about shifting consumer attitudes can really help when it comes to making informed decisions.

Innovation

One huge opportunity that can be taken advantage of lies in innovation. As technology advances and research into bioplastics continues, there’s potential for cost effective manufacturing processes to emerge. Investing in research and development can give manufacturers a competitive edge and position you as a leader in sustainable production.

Partnerships and collaborations can open doors for smaller manufacturers as by teaming up with larger companies or research institutions you can access resources and expertise to overcome challenges (these include things like sourcing raw materials or scaling up production).

Regulatory Support

Another factor to think about right now that can influence your success in bioplastics in the plastic industry is the regulatory support that’s available. Government incentives and regulations are aimed at promoting sustainability and so reducing plastic waste can create a fantastic favourable environment for bioplastics to be manufactured. As a small to medium sized manufacturer you need to stay informed about all of the regulatory developments so that you can take advantage of any incentives or support programs that become available to you.

Despite all of these challenges, there are lots of opportunities for small to medium sized manufacturers to thrive in the bioplastics market. We’re at a stage now where the future of plastics is evolving, and bioplastics can play a significant role in shaping the industry.