NORTH AMERICA POLYLACTIC ACID (PLA) MARKET FORECAST 2024-2032

The North America polylactic acid (PLA) market covers an in-depth study of the United States and Canada. As the prices of petrochemicals continue to rise, industries in North America are proactively employing PLA as a strategic choice to mitigate costs and reduce environmental impact. The shift towards sustainable practices aligns with the region’s growing emphasis on environmental responsibility and corporate sustainability. In the pharmaceutical domain, PLA’s biodegradability and compatibility with drug packaging make it an attractive option, further fueling its demand in North America. 

Furthermore, the applications of polylactic acid (PLA) span across diverse fields, encompassing textile, transportation, biomedical, plastic industry, agriculture, electronics, and packaging. The United States, in particular, is expected to emerge as a lucrative market in North America, driven by robust expansion in the aforementioned industries. 

Aligning with this, the country’s automotive sector has experienced substantial growth, with total car and light truck sales recorded at approximately 13.75 million in 2022. This upward trajectory in the automotive industry further contributes to the increasing demand for PLA. Solidifying its role in various industrial applications, these factors are expected to contribute to the growing demand for polylactic acid (PLA) in North America.

The North America polylactic acid (PLA) market is segmented into product form, application, and raw material. The product form segment includes films and sheets, coatings, fibers, and other product forms. The films and sheets segment is expected to record significant growth in the forecast period, driven by the escalating adoption of polylactic acid (PLA) in food and beverages and household applications. This surge in demand is primarily fueled by shifting consumer preferences and the food and beverages industry’s increasing inclination towards sustainable packaging materials. 

Moreover, the segment’s growth is further supplemented by its expanding role in packaging applications for both food as well as pharmaceuticals. Accordingly, the film and sheet variant of PLA stands out with its quality optics and mechanical properties, including excellent twist and dead folds. This unique set of characteristics positions it as a fitting choice for a wide array of packaging applications, thereby contributing to the growth of the segment during the projection period.

Leading players operating in the North America polylactic acid (PLA) market include NatureWorks LLC, BASF, Dow Chemicals, etc.

NatureWorks LLC, a subsidiary of PTT Global Chemical Public Company Ltd, specializes in developing and marketing bio-based plastics and fibers. Headquartered in the United States, the company’s product range includes bottles, apparel, durable goods, nonwovens, cards, service ware, home textiles, films, folded cartons, and lactides. 

Utilizing innovative technology, the company processes natural plant sugars to create the proprietary polylactide polymer known as Ingeo biopolymer. NatureWorks’ products find applications in injection molding, food packaging, thermoforming, 3D printing, and others.