Südpack presents its solutions at the KPA trade fair in Bad Salzuflen
In the next five years, the bio-based plastics market is expected to nearly double. While production stood at 4.5 million metric tons in 2025, forecasts point to an increase to more than 8.5 million metric tons by 2030. According to the Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites at Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts, production capacities for bio-based polymers that are biodegradable under defined conditions, such as PLA and PHA, as well as for so-called “drop-in” plastics such as bio-PE, bio-PET and bio-PP – which are bio-based but not biodegradable – are also set to grow from the current 2.84 million metric tons to around 5.4 million metric tons. PLA continues to dominate the market with a share of almost 40%, confirming a steady upward trend. The outlook remains promising. At the same time, however, the use of bioplastics also presents challenges, particularly in terms of processing and additives.
PLA and PBS compounds
Südpack’s bio-based PLA and PBS compounds represent a new generation of sustainable plastic materials, combining high technological performance with environmental objectives and opening up a wide range of future-proof applications.
Through careful analysis in the early stages of product development and a tailored compound formulation, material properties can be precisely adjusted to the mechanical, functional and visual requirements of the final product, without compromising quality or processability.
PLA-based compounds are characterised by high mechanical stiffness, good surface quality and broad scope for customisation. PBS-based compounds, on the other hand, offer greater flexibility and impact resistance, along with the key advantage of controlled biodegradability. Depending on formulation and application, these materials can be designed to be compostable under defined conditions.
For applications requiring conventional polyolefins, Südpack also offers bio-based PP compounds as well as PE compounds based on mass-balanced biogenic raw materials. These solutions help reduce the use of fossil resources while maintaining the proven material properties and existing processing workflows.
Bio-based PLA films
The Planova® high-performance film line from Südpack further reinforces its position as a benchmark in the sustainable materials segment. Already an integral part of the company’s bio-based portfolio, these films are made from renewable raw materials such as sugarcane and corn starch and are food-contact approved (FOOD CERT), while also being capable of biodegrading under industrial composting conditions, depending on formulation.
The product family covers a wide range of applications: from packaging for fresh produce through to technical and industrial uses, including transport and protective films, textile packaging and agricultural applications such as mulch films. Thanks to their high transparency, the films are also used in carrier bags and transparent windows in paper-based packaging such as bread bags and envelopes, as well as in medical packaging applications
