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If you’re a packaging manufacturer, FMCG brand, sustainability manager, or startup exploring eco-friendly materials, this guide is for you.
You’re likely facing increasing pressure from regulators, consumers, and global markets to reduce plastic waste and eliminate microplastics. Traditional plastics take 400–500 years to degrade and contribute to over 350 million tonnes of global plastic waste annually.
The good news? Biodegradable Polymers are transforming the packaging industry. In this blog, we’ll break down the most common biodegradable polymers used in packaging, how they work, where they’re used, and how companies like NovoEarth are pushing innovation to create scalable, climate-positive material solutions.
Biodegradable Polymers are materials that break down into natural substances like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass through the action of microorganisms under specific environmental conditions.
Unlike conventional plastics, biodegradable polymers are designed to:
Some biodegradable polymers are compostable under industrial conditions, while others degrade in soil or marine environments depending on their formulation.
The packaging industry accounts for nearly 40% of total plastic usage globally. With bans on single-use plastics increasing across Europe, India, and North America, companies are actively switching to biodegradable polymers for:
The global biodegradable plastics market is projected to grow at over 9–12% CAGR, driven largely by packaging demand.
PLA is one of the most widely used biodegradable polymers in packaging.
Source: Derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane.
Key Properties:
Common Applications:
PLA accounts for a significant share of the biodegradable polymers market due to its scalability and commercial viability.
PHA is a family of biodegradable polymers produced by microbial fermentation.
Key Properties:
Applications:
PHA-based biodegradable polymers are gaining traction due to their potential to degrade even in marine conditions — helping reduce ocean plastic pollution.
These biodegradable polymers are made by blending natural starch with biodegradable polyesters.
Key Benefits:
Applications:
However, they may have lower moisture resistance compared to other biodegradable polymers.
PBAT is a flexible biodegradable polymer often blended with PLA or starch.
Why It’s Important:
Applications:
PBAT improves the mechanical strength of biodegradable polymers used in flexible packaging.
Type | Compostable | Flexibility | Heat Resistance | Common Use |
PLA | Industrial | Medium | Low | Food trays, cups |
PHA | Soil & Marine | Medium-High | Medium | Food films |
Starch Blends | Industrial | Medium | Low | Carry bags |
PBAT | Industrial | High | Medium | Garbage liners |
This table helps brands choose the right biodegradable polymers based on packaging needs.
At NovoEarth, we are not just producing biodegradable polymers — we are engineering circular material systems.
Our focus areas include:
Unlike traditional materials that fragment into microplastics, NovoEarth’s biodegradable polymers are designed to degrade responsibly under controlled conditions.
We are working toward scalable material innovation that aligns with India’s EPR and global sustainability regulations.
Here’s why companies are adopting biodegradable polymers:
However, biodegradable polymers must be selected carefully based on disposal infrastructure and application type.
Let’s be practical — biodegradable polymers are not a magic fix.
Businesses must evaluate performance, disposal systems, and lifecycle assessment before switching to biodegradable polymers.
Not all biodegradable polymers are home compostable. Some require industrial composting conditions.
High-quality biodegradable polymers can significantly reduce microplastic formation if properly designed.
Yes, many biodegradable polymers like PLA and PHA are food-contact approved.
Currently, biodegradable polymers cost 20–50% more than conventional plastics, but prices are decreasing with scale.
With global plastic regulations tightening and consumers demanding transparency, biodegradable polymers are expected to play a major role in the next decade.
However, the real transformation will come from companies that combine:
This is exactly where NovoEarth is positioning itself.
If you are exploring biodegradable polymers for packaging, now is the time to transition.
At NovoEarth.co, we are building scalable biodegradable polymer solutions tailored for real-world industrial use.
👉 Contact NovoEarth today to explore biodegradable polymers that align with your sustainability goals.
Sarthak Gupta
Mechanical Engineer | Founder, NovoEarth
Sarthak Gupta is a Mechanical Engineer and the founder of NovoEarth, a cleantech venture specialising in circular material innovation and sustainable polymer solutions. His expertise lies in biodegradable polymer technologies and recycling systems for multilayer plastics—complex waste streams traditionally considered non-recyclable. With prior Research and Development experience in renewable energy and wind turbine design, Sarthak focuses on translating engineering innovation into scalable, commercially viable climate solutions.