Biodegradable Mulch Film - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

Key Highlights

• Biodegradability in the soil provides huge benefits for agricultural and horticultural products. Biodegradable mulching films have made rapid improvements in terms of usability, allowing cultivators to plow in bioplastic mulch after use instead of collecting them from the field for recycling, which improves operational efficiency. However, the potential environmental consequences of using biodegradable mulches have not been thoroughly studied, and international standards, such as ISO 17088, ASTM D6400, ISO 17556, and ASTM D5988, for validating their safeness are in the ongoing research phase.
• Non-biodegradable mulch films, when not properly disposed of, can lead to the loss of agricultural topsoil, with an estimated 166 kiloton/year dragged away from fields at the end of each crop cycle. In contrast, certified soil-biodegradable mulch films, with their biodegradability, not only prevent this soil loss but also play a crucial role in halting the leakage and accumulation of microplastics in agricultural soils. Additionally, these certified mulch films help curb the production of plastic waste that is notoriously challenging to recycle.
• The expansion of the greenhouse project drives the market. According to the World Greenhouse Vegetable Statistics, there are 1,228,000 acres of greenhouse growing space for production worldwide. Biodegradable plastic mulch fragments physically modify soil before they are fully biodegraded. However, PE plastic fragments reduce soil infiltration and water absorption, by which the accumulation may affect soil ecosystems in greenhouse plantations and, ultimately, result in plant germination and growth. Thus, the demand for biodegradable mulch film market increases in this segment.
• Supportive regulation from the governments for organic mulching across the world is driving the market. For instance, in Europe, EN 17033 is the new product standard made for biodegradable mulch films used in agriculture and horticulture and specifies the necessary requirements and test methods. The standard is designed for a clear reference to farmers, distributors, and stakeholders. EN 17033 is more likely to replace other pre-existing national standards in Europe.
• High installation cost, along with the addition of harmful additives during the manufacturing process, challenges the growth of the market. The deficit in the availability of such mulch films with high initial costs is challenging the growth. Moreover, the involvement of plasticizers in the manufacturing of biodegradable mulch film to make profits may challenge the market with growing awareness among the farmers.

Biodegradable Mulch Film Market Trends

Fruits and Vegetables to Account for a Significant Share

• Mulch films, whether black or transparent, play a crucial role in modern agriculture. They facilitate the planting or direct sowing of crops through punched holes, enhancing several factors pivotal for crop growth. This method not only boosts the effectiveness of growing various vegetables but also leads to earlier harvests, increased yields, and improved produce quality.
• Moreover, these films significantly reduce moisture loss from the soil, keeping the ground moist and subsequently cutting down on the need for additional watering, thus reducing costs. Field trials have demonstrated that using agricultural films can nearly double vegetable harvests compared to traditional methods.
• Black and black/white mulch films serve a dual purpose. They not only prevent weed growth but also shield against accompanying flora. Additionally, these films act as a protective barrier against rain, safeguarding valuable agrochemicals and fertilizers from being washed away. By maintaining soil moisture, they also prevent soil compaction, ensuring it stays loose and conducive for plant growth.
• Due to the large proportion of mulch films used in fruits and vegetables and all the environmental problems related to their disposal, biodegradable mulch films seem to be the best solution for replacing conventional polyethylene mulches.
• Additionally, traditional mulch film waste causes an environmental problem because it is very contaminated with soil and vegetable residues, making the recycling process expensive, time-consuming, and an uneconomic activity. These biodegradable mulch films have the advantage of being disposed directly into the soil or into a composting system at the end of their lifetime and undergo biodegradation by soil microorganisms. This saves time and money.
• BASF offers the polymer Ecovio M, which is made up of polymer PLA (polylactic acid), which has biobased content and is completely biodegradable. Its advantage is that the farmer does not have to laboriously collect the mulch films after harvest but can plow them directly, which helps save time and money.
• Furthermore, Italy exports tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to other countries annually, and players such as Novamont offer Mater-Bi mulch film for processing vegetables. Italy is the main European producer of tomatoes. According to the Associazione Nazionale Industriali Conserve Alimentari Vegetali, the export value of tomato products in Italy rose by 25.2% in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Asia-Pacific to Witness Significant Market Growth

• Asia-Pacific is projected to register the highest rate in biodegradable mulch film, as the increasing population, especially in China and India, is increasing the demand for food, increasing the usage of biodegradable mulch films in crop production.
• The government is also taking necessary steps to improve the productivity of crops. In China, the government’s National Development and Reform Commission stated that China wants to promote non-plastic products, including biodegradable mulch film, in the agriculture sector.
• Additionally, in India, the government estimates an increase in pulse production for the coming years, which is expected to significantly raise the demand for biodegradable mulch films. According to PIB, 273.02 lakh tonnes of pulses were expected to be farmed during 2021-2022, with an increment of 275.04 lakh tonnes compared to 2022-2023.
• Furthermore, in May 2023, Singapore's RWDC Industries, a biotech start-up pioneering biopolymer solutions as alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, and Lummus Technology, a provider in process technology, inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU). This collaboration aims to spearhead worldwide initiatives for deploying PHA, a biodegradable polymer.

Biodegradable Mulch Film Industry Overview

• October 2023: Packaging and paper provider Mondi teamed up with Cotesi, a prominent producer of twine, nets, and ropes for agriculture, in a joint effort to bolster sustainability in the agricultural sector. Their collaboration centers around the launch of a new paper-based solution, Advantage Kraft Mulch. This innovative product is designed to supplant the conventional plastic mulch films that have long been a staple for farmers. Mulch films play a crucial role in agriculture, shielding crops from a gamut of threats, including birds, weeds, soil erosion, excessive sunlight, and heavy rain. Traditionally, these films were crafted from plastic, laid out during planting, and subsequently discarded at harvest, exacerbating the prevalent plastic waste dilemma.

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