The Global Market for Biocomposites 2023-2033

Published August 2022 | 337 pages, 83 figures, 82 tables | Download table of contents

Biocomposites are generally referred to as composites with either reinforcement or matrix derived from natural sources, or encompassing both (full biocomposites). Biocomposites are produced from naturally-renewable and abundant precursor feedstocks, and possess properties equivalent, on a weight basis, to their synthetic counterparts.

Natural and wood fibers are combined with petrochemical or bio-based polymers to achieve enhanced mechanical and lightweight properties. The most commonly used types of biocomposites are Wood-Plastic Composites (WPC) and Natural Fibre Composites (NFC). Their use is growing due to the need for significant reduction in the consumption of plastic materials.

Report includes:

In-depth analysis to August 2022 of the global biocomposites market.
Global biocomposites market trends and drivers.
Market revenues for biocomposites, by end user market, and by region from 2019 and forecast to 2033.
Market segmentation and applications analysis. Markets covered include packaging, consumer products, automotive, building & construction, electronics, aerospace, sports & leisure equipment.
Advantages of biocomposites over synthetic composites.
Profiles of over 150 companies in biocomposites. Companies profiled include Cruz Foam, Ecovative Design LLC, Bcomp Ltd., Ecovative, Lingrove, Inc., MOGU S.r.l., Natural Fiber Welding, Inc., OrganoClick, Seevix Material Sciences Ltd. and many more.

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 18

1.1 Synthetic and bio-based composites 18
1.2 Wood and natural fiber biocomposites 19
1.3 Market trends and drivers 23
1.4 Markets and applications for biocomposites 26
1.5 Global market demand in millions USD 2019-2033 30
- 1.5.1 By market 30
- 1.5.2 By region 31
1.6 Challenges for biocomposites 32

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 34

3 BIOCOMPOSITE MATERIALS 36

3.1 Natural Fibers 36
- 3.1.1 Plant 36
- 3.1.2 Animal 37
- 3.1.3 Mineral 38
3.2 Matrices 39
- 3.2.1 Thermoplastics 40
- 3.2.2 Thermosets 41

4 BIO-BASED POLYMERS AND RESINS 42

4.1 Polyamides (Bio-PA) 42
- 4.1.1 Market analysis 42
- 4.1.2 Polyamide biocomposites 43
- 4.1.3 Producers and production capacities 45
4.2 Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (Bio-PBAT)- Aliphatic aromatic copolyesters 46
- 4.2.1 Market analysis 46
- 4.2.2 PBAT biocomposites 47
- 4.2.3 Producers and production capacities 47
4.3 Polybutylene succinate (PBS) and copolymers 49
- 4.3.1 Market analysis 49
- 4.3.2 Poly(Butylene Succinate) biocomposites 50
- 4.3.3 Producers and production capacities 51
4.4 Polyethylene (Bio-PE) 52
- 4.4.1 Market analysis 52
- 4.4.2 Bio-Polyethylene biocomposites 53
- 4.4.3 Producers and production capacities 54
4.5 Polypropylene (Bio-PP) 56
- 4.5.1 Market analysis 56
- 4.5.2 Bio-Polyethylene biocomposites 57
- 4.5.3 Producers and production capacities 58
4.6 Polylactic acid (Bio-PLA) 59
- 4.6.1 Market analysis 59
- 4.6.2 Polylactic Acid (PLA) Biocomposites 61
- 4.6.3 Producers and production capacities, current and planned 61
  - 4.6.3.1 Lactic acid producers and production capacities 61
  - 4.6.3.2 PLA producers and production capacities 61
4.7 Lignin 64
- 4.7.1 Lignin structure 65
- 4.7.2 Types of lignin 66
  - 4.7.2.1 Sulfur containing lignin 68
  - 4.7.2.2 Sulfur-free lignin from biorefinery process 68
4.7.3 Properties 69
4.7.4 Phenol and phenolic resins 72
4.7.5 Lignin composites 73
4.7.6 Automotive 74
4.8 Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) 75
- 4.8.1 Market analysis 75
- 4.8.2 Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) biocomposites 76
- 4.8.3 Producers 77
4.9 Cellulose nanocrystals 78
- 4.9.1 Market analysis 78
- 4.9.2 Cellulose nanocrystals biocomposites 79
  - 4.9.2.1 Producers 80
4.10 Cellulose nanofibers 81
- 4.10.1 Market analysis 81
- 4.10.2 Cellulose nanofibers biocomposites 82
  - 4.10.2.1 Construction composites 86
  - 4.10.2.2 Automotive composites 88
  - 4.10.2.3 Aerospace composites 90
- 4.10.3 Producers 92
4.11 Starch 93
- 4.11.1 Thermoplastic starch (TPS) biocomposites 93
- 4.11.2 Producers 94
4.12 Mycelium 95
- 4.12.1 Mycelium biocomposites 95
4.13 Chitosan 99
- 4.13.1 Chitosan biocomposites 100
4.14 Alginate 101
- 4.14.1 Alginate biocomposites 102
4.15 Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) 102
- 4.15.1 Technology description 102
- 4.15.2 Types 104
  - 4.15.2.1 PHB 106
  - 4.15.2.2 PHBV 107
- 4.15.3 Synthesis and production processes 108
- 4.15.4 Market analysis 111
- 4.15.5 Commercially available PHAs 113
- 4.15.6 Producers and production capacities 114
- 4.15.7 PHA biocomposites 115

5 NATURAL FIBER BIOCOMPOSITE MATERIALS 119

5.1 Manufacturing method, matrix materials and applications of natural fibers 120
5.2 Advantages of natural fibers 122
5.3 Chemical Treatment of Natural Fibers 122
5.4 Plants (cellulose, lignocellulose) 123
- 5.4.1 Seed fibers 123
  - 5.4.1.1 Luffa 124
  - 5.4.1.2 Banana 125
  - 5.4.1.3 Bast fibers 126
  - 5.4.1.4 Hemp 126
  - 5.4.1.5 Flax 128
  - 5.4.1.6 Kenaf 130
- 5.4.2 Leaf fibers 130
  - 5.4.2.1 Sisal 130
  - 5.4.2.2 Abaca 131
- 5.4.3 Fruit fibers 133
  - 5.4.3.1 Coir 133
  - 5.4.3.2 Pineapple 134
- 5.4.4 Stalk fibers from agricultural residues 135
  - 5.4.4.1 Rice fiber 135
  - 5.4.4.2 Corn 136
- 5.4.5 Cane, grasses and reed 136
  - 5.4.5.1 Switch grass 136
  - 5.4.5.2 Sugarcane (agricultural residues) 137
  - 5.4.5.3 Bamboo 138
  - 5.4.5.4 Fresh grass (green biorefinery) 139

6 BIOCOMPOSITE MARKETS 141

6.1 Natural Fiber Composites 141
- 6.1.1 Applications 142
- 6.1.2 Natural fiber injection moulding compounds 143
  - 6.1.2.1 Properties 143
  - 6.1.2.2 Applications 144
- 6.1.3 Non-woven natural fiber mat composites 144
  - 6.1.3.1 Automotive 144
  - 6.1.3.2 Applications 145
- 6.1.4 Aligned natural fiber-reinforced composites 145
- 6.1.5 Natural fiber biobased polymer compounds 146
- 6.1.6 Natural fiber biobased polymer non-woven mats 146
  - 6.1.6.1 Flax 147
  - 6.1.6.2 Kenaf 147
- 6.1.7 Natural fiber thermoset bioresin composites 147
6.2 Packaging 147
- 6.2.1 Flexible packaging 148
- 6.2.2 Rigid packaging 150
6.3 Consumer products 151
6.4 Automotive 152
6.5 Building & construction 158
6.6 Electronics 160
6.7 Aerospace 160
6.8 Sports and leisure equipment 161

7 COMPANY PROFILES 162 (156 company profiles)

8 REFERENCES 333

List of Tables

Table 1. Types of natural fibers, properties and applications. 20
Table 2. Market trends in biocomposites. 24
Table 3. Markets and applications for biocomposites. 26
Table 4. Challenges for biocomposites. 32
Table 5. Bio-based polyamides (Bio-PA) market analysis - manufacture, advantages, disadvantages and applications. 42
Table 6. Leading Bio-PA producers production capacities. 45
Table 7. Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) market analysis- manufacture, advantages, disadvantages and applications. 46
Table 8. Leading PBAT producers, production capacities and brands. 47
Table 9. Bio-PBS market analysis-manufacture, advantages, disadvantages and applications. 49
Table 10. Leading PBS producers and production capacities. 51
Table 11. Bio-based Polyethylene (Bio-PE) market analysis- manufacture, advantages, disadvantages and applications. 52
Table 12. Leading Bio-PE producers. 55
Table 13. Bio-PP market analysis- manufacture, advantages, disadvantages and applications. 56
Table 14. Leading Bio-PP producers and capacities. 58
Table 15. Polylactic acid (PLA) market analysis-manufacture, advantages, disadvantages and applications. 59
Table 16. Lactic acid producers and production capacities. 61
Table 17. PLA producers and production capacities. 61
Table 18. Planned PLA capacity expansions in China. 62
Table 19. Technical lignin types and applications. 66
Table 20. Classification of technical lignins. 68
Table 21. Lignin content of selected biomass. 69
Table 22. Properties of lignins and their applications. 70
Table 23. Example markets and applications for lignin. 71
Table 24. Application of lignin in composites. 73
Table 25. Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) market analysis. 75
Table 26. Leading MFC producers and capacities. 77
Table 27. Cellulose nanocrystals analysis. 78
Table 28. Cellulose nanocrystal production capacities and production process, by producer. 80
Table 29. Cellulose nanofibers market analysis. 81
Table 30. Comparative properties of polymer composites reinforcing materials. 82
Table 31. Market assessment for cellulose nanofibers in composites-application, key benefits and motivation for use, megatrends, market drivers, technology drawbacks, competing materials, material loading, main global composites OEMs. 83
Table 32. Market assessment for cellulose nanofibers in construction composites-application, key benefits and motivation for use, megatrends, market drivers, technology drawbacks, competing materials, material loading, main global construction OEMs 86
Table 33. Market assessment for cellulose nanofibers in automotive composites-application, key benefits and motivation for use, megatrends, market drivers, technology drawbacks, competing materials, material loading, main global automotive OEMs. 89
Table 34. Market assessment for cellulose nanofibers in aerospace composites-application, key benefits and motivation for use, megatrends, market drivers, technology drawbacks, competing materials, material loading. 91
Table 35. CNF production capacities and production process, by producer, in metric tons. 92
Table 36. Starch-based bioplastic producers. 94
Table 37. Overview of mycelium fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 97
Table 38. Overview of chitosan fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 99
Table 39. Overview of alginate-description, properties, application and market size. 101
Table 40.Types of PHAs and properties. 105
Table 41. Comparison of the physical properties of different PHAs with conventional petroleum-based polymers. 107
Table 42. Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) extraction methods. 109
Table 43. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) market analysis. 111
Table 44. Commercially available PHAs. 113
Table 45. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) producers. 114
Table 46. Markets and applications for PHAs. 116
Table 47. Applications, advantages and disadvantages of PHAs in packaging. 117
Table 48. Application, manufacturing method, and matrix materials of natural fibers. 121
Table 49. Typical properties of natural fibers. 122
Table 50. Overview of luffa fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 124
Table 51. Overview of banana fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 125
Table 52. Overview of hemp fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 127
Table 53. Overview of flax fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 128
Table 54. Overview of kenaf fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 130
Table 55. Overview of sisal fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 130
Table 56. Overview of abaca fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 132
Table 57. Overview of coir fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 133
Table 58. Overview of pineapple fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 134
Table 59. Overview of rice fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 135
Table 60. Overview of corn fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 136
Table 61. Overview of switch grass fibers-description, properties and applications. 136
Table 62. Overview of sugarcane fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and application and market size. 137
Table 63. Overview of bamboo fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 138
Table 64. Applications of natural fiber composites. 142
Table 65. Typical properties of short natural fiber-thermoplastic composites. 143
Table 66. Properties of non-woven natural fiber mat composites. 145
Table 67. Properties of aligned natural fiber composites. 145
Table 68. Properties of natural fiber-bio-based polymer compounds. 146
Table 69. Properties of natural fiber-bio-based polymer non-woven mats. 147
Table 70. Comparison of bioplastics’ (PLA and PHAs) properties to other common polymers used in product packaging. 148
Table 71. Typical applications for bioplastics in flexible packaging. 149
Table 72. Typical applications for bioplastics in rigid packaging. 151
Table 73. Biocomposites in the automotive sector- market drivers, applications and challenges for NF use. 152
Table 74. Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite in the automotive market. 155
Table 75. Applications of natural fibers in the automotive industry. 157
Table 76. Biocomposites in the building/construction sector- market drivers, applications and challenges for NF use. 158
Table 77. Applications of natural fibers in the building/construction sector. 159
Table 78. Biocomposites in the aerospace sector-market drivers, applications and challenges for NF use. 160
Table 79. Biocomposites in the sports and leisure sector-market drivers, applications and challenges for NF use. 161
Table 80. Granbio Nanocellulose Processes. 236
Table 81. Lactips plastic pellets. 252
Table 82. Oji Holdings CNF products. 278

List of Figures

Figure 1. Classification of biocomposites. 19
Figure 2. Mechanical properties of natural and synthetic fibres. 20
Figure 3. Global production capacities of biobased and sustainable plastics in 2019-2033, by type, in 1,000 tons. 29
Figure 4. Global demand for biocomposites 2019-2033, by market, millions USD. 31
Figure 5. Global demand for biocomposites 2019-2033, by region, millions USD. 31
Figure 6. High purity lignin. 64
Figure 7. Lignocellulose architecture. 65
Figure 8. Extraction processes to separate lignin from lignocellulosic biomass and corresponding technical lignins. 66
Figure 9. Schematic of WISA plywood home. 74
Figure 10. Interior of NCV concept car. 88
Figure 11. Typical structure of mycelium-based foam. 95
Figure 12. Commercial mycelium composite construction materials. 96
Figure 13. Frayme Mylo™️. 97
Figure 14. BLOOM masterbatch from Algix. 102
Figure 15. PHA family. 105
Figure 16. Types of natural fibers. 120
Figure 17. Luffa cylindrica fiber. 125
Figure 18. Production of bio-based materials and products from flax. 128
Figure 19. Pineapple fiber. 135
Figure 20. Hemp fibers combined with PP in car door panel. 147
Figure 21. Car door produced from Hemp fiber. 154
Figure 22. Natural fiber composites in the BMW M4 GT4 racing car. 155
Figure 23. Mercedes-Benz components containing natural fibers. 155
Figure 24. ANDRITZ Lignin Recovery process. 168
Figure 25: Ashai Kasei CNF production process. 177
Figure 26: Asahi Kasei CNF fabric sheet. 178
Figure 27: Properties of Asahi Kasei cellulose nanofiber nonwoven fabric. 178
Figure 28. CNF nonwoven fabric. 179
Figure 29. Bio-PA rear bumper stay. 185
Figure 30: R3TM process technology. 194
Figure 31: Blue Goose CNC Production Process. 195
Figure 32: Celluforce production process. 206
Figure 33: NCCTM Process. 207
Figure 34: CNC produced at Tech Futures’ pilot plant; cloudy suspension (1 wt.%), gel-like (10 wt.%), flake-like crystals, and very fine powder. Product advantages include: 207
Figure 35. nanoforest-S. 210
Figure 36. nanoforest-PDP. 211
Figure 37. nanoforest-MB. 211
Figure 38. ELLEX products. 217
Figure 39. CNF-reinforced PP compounds. 217
Figure 40. Kirekira! toilet wipes. 218
Figure 41. DIC Products CNF production process. 220
Figure 42. Mushroom leather. 224
Figure 43. TMP-Bio Process. 230
Figure 44. Cellulose Nanofiber (CNF) composite with polyethylene (PE). 233
Figure 45: CNF products from Furukawa Electric. 234
Figure 46. Cutlery samples (spoon, knife, fork) made of nano cellulose and biodegradable plastic composite materials. 239
Figure 47. Non-aqueous CNF dispersion "Senaf" (Photo shows 5% of plasticizer). 240
Figure 48. CNF gel. 242
Figure 49. Block nanocellulose material. 243
Figure 50. CNF products developed by Hokuetsu. 243
Figure 51. Dual Graft System. 249
Figure 52: Engine cover utilizing Kao CNF composite resins. 250
Figure 53. Acrylic resin blended with modified CNF (fluid) and its molded product (transparent film), and image obtained with AFM (CNF 10wt% blended). 250
Figure 54. IPA synthesis method. 263
Figure 55. MOGU-Wave panels. 266
Figure 56. Reishi. 267
Figure 57. Nippon Paper Industries’ adult diapers. 272
Figure 58. CNF clear sheets. 278
Figure 59. Oji Holdings CNF polycarbonate product. 280
Figure 60. A vacuum cleaner part made of cellulose fiber (left) and the assembled vacuum cleaner. 281
Figure 61. XCNF. 289
Figure 62: Plantrose process. 290
Figure 63. Innventia CNF production process. 293
Figure 64: Innventia AB movable nanocellulose demo plant. 294
Figure 65. Manufacturing process for STARCEL. 297
Figure 66. CNF dispersion and powder from Starlite. 304
Figure 67. Sugino Machine CNF production process. 306
Figure 68. High Pressure Water Jet Process. 306
Figure 69. 2 wt.％ CNF suspension. 307
Figure 70. BiNFi-s Dry Powder. 307
Figure 71. BiNFi-s Dry Powder and Propylene (PP) Complex Pellet. 308
Figure 72. Silk nanofiber (right) and cocoon of raw material. 308
Figure 73. Sulapac cosmetics containers. 310
Figure 74. Sulzer equipment for PLA polymerization processing. 311
Figure 75. Teijin bioplastic film for door handles. 318
Figure 76. Silver / CNF composite dispersions. 320
Figure 77. CNF/nanosilver powder. 321
Figure 78. Corbion FDCA production process. 322
Figure 79: CNF resin products. 323
Figure 80. UPM biorefinery process. 324
Figure 81. HefCel-coated wood (left) and untreated wood (right) after 30 seconds flame test. 328
Figure 82. Bio-based barrier bags prepared from Tempo-CNF coated bio-HDPE film. 328
Figure 83. Zelfo Technology GmbH CNF production process. 331

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