Global PHA and PEF Production Capacity Could Approach Two Million Tonnes by 2036

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and polyethylene furanoate (PEF) are emerging bioplastics with potential applications in packaging, textiles and medical products. According to the IDTechEx report “Bioplastics 2026–2036: Technology, Market, Players, and Forecasts”, their combined global production capacity could approach two million tonnes per year by 2036. Together, the two material groups are forecast to account for 13% of global bioplastics production.

Further market development will depend on scaling production, reducing costs and overcoming technical challenges in raw-material processing, fermentation and polymer recovery.

Can PHA production become commercially viable?

Unlike many synthetic bioplastics, PHAs are naturally occurring biopolymers produced inside microorganisms. The microbes convert renewable feedstocks, including sugars, fatty acids and methane-containing biogas, into PHAs, which serve as an energy store and can account for up to 80% of the cell volume.

PHAs can be recovered from bioreactors using solvent extraction or enzymatic degradation. However, production currently relies on batch processes, which can result in fluctuating product quality and high manufacturing costs.

According to IDTechEx, PHA prices currently range from US$4 to US$6 per kilogram. Costs are expected to fall as production capacity increases and fermentation and recovery processes are optimised. Reaching the price level of polylactic acid (PLA), currently stated at US$2 to US$3 per kilogram, will be important because both materials target biodegradable single-use applications such as packaging, cups and cutlery.

One difference concerns end-of-life behaviour. PHAs can decompose in marine environments, whereas PLA generally requires industrial composting. Their microbial origin also makes PHAs suitable for certain biomedical applications. In addition, their properties can be modified by incorporating monomers of different chain lengths through genetic engineering.

How could PEF compete with PET?

PEF is produced by polymerising monoethylene glycol (MEG) with 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). Bio-based MEG derived from bioethanol is already commercially available and is used in partially bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Bio-based FDCA production remains at the pilot stage. The monomer can be obtained from fructose through a combination of fermentation and metal-catalysed oxidation. Because both constituent monomers can be produced from renewable raw materials, PEF represents a bio-based alternative to PET.

PEF also offers mechanical, thermal and gas-barrier properties that could support its use in food packaging and textile fibres. According to IDTechEx, commercial production is expected to develop from 2026 as manufacturers expand FDCA capacity, establish industrial partnerships and conclude offtake agreements.

Initially, PEF is likely to carry a price premium. Increasing production volumes could reduce this difference. IDTechEx forecasts a compound annual growth rate of 88.7% for the PEF industry through 2036.

Ten-year forecast for the bioplastics market

The IDTechEx report analyses 14 synthetic and naturally occurring bioplastics. It covers their technological maturity, production development, potential applications and expected market growth between 2026 and 2036.

(Source: IDTechEx)