In early December 2025, Berlin hosted EBC25 — the 2025 European Bioplastics Conference organised by European Bioplastics (EUBP) to present the state of the global bioplastics market and reflect on the sector’s future. The recently published 2025 Market Development Update revealed data highlighting the growing strategic relevance of biobased plastics.
At a time when Europe is deepening its commitment to a bioeconomy, EBC25 served as more than a celebration of two decades of industry dialogue; it marked a moment of maturity and ambition for bioplastics. Stakeholders from across the value chain, producers, researchers, brand-owners, and policymakers, gathered to discuss not just materials, but the systemic changes needed to scale bioplastics meaningfully.
What the 2025 data reveals:
According to the EUBP report released at EBC25, global production capacity for biobased plastics in 2025 stands at 2.31 million tonnes. That same report forecasts capacity will nearly double, reaching about 4.69 million tonnes by 2030, driven by rising demand, new applications, and advances in polymer technologies such as bio-PP, bio-PE, and biodegradable materials like PLA and PHA. To put that in context, globally about 431 million tonnes of plastics are produced annually, which means biobased plastics still make up only around 0.5 % of total plastic output.
In terms of end-use segments, packaging remains dominant: in 2025, roughly 41.3 % of global bioplastics production capacity (around 0.95 million tonnes) is allocated for packaging. The automotive and transport sector also shows growth: about 0.24 million tonnes, accounting for 10.3 % of the global bioplastics application capacity. But even as capacity expands, actual production reveals a gap: in 2025, the global bioplastics industry produced approximately 1.67 million tonnes, corresponding to an average utilisation rate of 72 %.
At first glance, a global utilisation rate of 72 % in 2025 may suggest that bioplastics production capacity is underused. In reality, this figure reflects a healthy and mature industrial pattern. Unlike fully established petrochemical sectors, which typically operate below 90 %, emerging industries intentionally maintain spare capacity to secure supply reliability, support maintenance cycles, and accommodate rapid scaling when demand accelerates. The bioplastics sector, driven by technological innovation and policy expectations, invests ahead of the market, meaning capacity often grows faster than short-term demand. A utilisation rate above 70 % therefore indicates that plants are consistently active while still retaining the flexibility required for growth. Europe performs slightly above average at 73 %, signalling strong market integration and regulatory pull. Overall, the 72 % utilisation rate highlights robust demand, strategic capacity planning, and a sector on a clear upward trajectory, even as markets continue to mature.
Why EBC25 matters for the future:
The data and discussions at EBC25 underscore that bioplastics are no longer a fringe experiment — they are positioning themselves as a structural component in the shift toward sustainable, circular materials. The planned doubling of capacity by 2030 signals industry confidence that demand will grow.
The diversification of materials, from well-established polymers like bio-PE or bio-PP to emerging biodegradable alternatives such as PLA and PHA, expands the potential applications far beyond packaging. This increases the likelihood that bioplastics will penetrate many sectors: packaging, textiles, automotive, agriculture, and consumer goods.
If the trends from EBC25 continue, the next five years could see substantial shifts. Bioplastics may evolve from niche applications to a widely accepted alternative material across industries. With capacity nearly doubling by 2030, and material diversity increasing, sectors like packaging, automotive, textiles, or agriculture could adopt bioplastics more substantially.
For Plastrans Technologies, EBC25 is not just a snapshot of the bioplastics sector—it is a strategic compass for the company’s growth and innovation. As a supplier of sustainable polymer solutions, understanding global trends, capacity forecasts, and emerging materials is critical to align our portfolio with market demand and technological developments.
The data presented at EBC25 reinforces that biobased plastics like bio-PE, bio-PP, PLA, and PHA are becoming increasingly relevant across industries, from packaging to automotive and textiles. For Plastrans, this validates ongoing investments in offering commercially available bioplastics, technical support, and solutions that help converters transition to sustainable materials.
Moreover, insights from EBC25 enable Plastrans to anticipate future market needs, optimize partnerships, and support customers in scaling bioplastics applications efficiently. By staying closely connected to industry developments, Plastrans continues to deliver holistic, forward-looking solutions that combine material innovation with practical implementation helping clients capitalize on the growth of bioplastics while maintaining reliability and quality.
