The Global Starch-based Materials Market was valued at USD 3.37 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 5.65 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.8% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This robust growth is being driven by escalating global regulations on single-use plastics, a powerful consumer shift towards sustainable products, and continuous innovations in biodegradable polymers.
As the world pivots towards a circular economy, the demand for bio-based alternatives to conventional plastics is surging. At the heart of this transformation are the leading material suppliers driving the commercialization and technological advancement of starch-based solutions. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Starch-based Materials Industry—a combination of chemical giants, specialized bioplastics innovators, and vertically integrated producers shaping the future of sustainable packaging and materials.
🔟 1. Novamont S.p.A.
Headquarters: Novara, Italy
Key Offering: Mater-Bi® family of biodegradable and compostable bioplastics
Novamont is a pioneer and a global leader in the development and production of starch-based bioplastics. Its flagship Mater-Bi® materials are derived from renewable resources like corn starch and vegetable oils and are designed to biodegrade in specific industrial and home composting environments. The company operates with an integrated biorefinery model, controlling the supply chain from raw materials to finished products.
Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:
- World’s first industrial plant for bio-based butanediol (BDO), a key monomer, in Italy.
- Focus on developing solutions for flexible packaging, carrier bags, and agricultural mulch films.
- Strong advocacy for building composting infrastructure to support the circularity of its products.
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9️⃣ 2. NatureWorks LLC
Headquarters: Plymouth, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Ingeo™ biopolymers (Polylactic Acid – PLA)
While primarily a PLA producer, NatureWorks is a cornerstone of the broader bio-based materials ecosystem into which starch-based materials integrate. Ingeo™ is a versatile biopolymer made from plant sugars, often derived from corn starch, and is widely used in compostable packaging, food serviceware, and fibers. The company’s large-scale production sets industry benchmarks.
Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:
- Announced plans for a new, fully integrated PLA facility in Thailand to expand global capacity.
- Focusing on next-generation feedstocks, including agricultural residues, to reduce land-use impact.
- Collaborations across the value chain to develop advanced, high-performance bio-based applications.
8️⃣ 3. BASF SE
Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Ecovio® certified compostable bioplastics
BASF, a global chemical leader, offers Ecovio®, a family of compostable bioplastics that are partially based on renewable resources, including corn starch from certified sustainable sources. These materials are designed for applications like organic waste bags, food packaging, and agricultural films, combining functionality with end-of-life benefits.
Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:
- Commitment to the “ChemCycling” project, exploring chemical recycling for plastics, complementing its biodegradable portfolio.
- Active in developing solutions that meet stringent EU packaging waste directives and global compostability standards.
- Focus on performance attributes like sealability and printability for packaging converters.
7️⃣ 4. Corbion N.V.
Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: High-purity lactic acid and lactides, key building blocks for PLA
Corbion is a crucial upstream player, supplying the essential ingredients for many starch-derived bioplastics. As a leading producer of lactic acid and its derivatives from renewable resources like sugarcane and corn starch, Corbion enables the production of PLA, which is a major end-product in the starch-based materials value chain. Its partnership with TotalEnergies operates the largest PLA plant in the world.
Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:
- Investment in R&D for advanced fermentation technologies to improve yield and sustainability.
- Focus on creating a stable, bio-based supply chain for biopolymer manufacturers globally.
- Commitment to sourcing sustainable raw materials with a low environmental footprint.
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6️⃣ 5. Biome Bioplastics Ltd.
Headquarters: Southampton, United Kingdom
Key Offering: High-performance, home-compostable bioplastic resins and finished products
Biome Bioplastics specializes in creating advanced bioplastic materials that are fully compostable, including in home composting systems. Its proprietary technology blends starch with other biodegradable polymers to create materials with enhanced performance for rigid and flexible packaging, catering to brands seeking genuine end-of-life solutions.
Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:
- Pioneering home-compostable materials that break down without industrial facilities, addressing a key infrastructure gap.
- Collaboration with major UK retailers to replace conventional plastic packaging in product lines.
- Ongoing R&D focused on improving heat resistance and barrier properties of starch-based blends.
5️⃣ 6. Plantic Technologies Ltd.
Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia
Key Offering: Plantic®-branded high-barrier, bio-based packaging materials
Plantic Technologies is renowned for its proprietary starch-based materials that offer exceptional oxygen and aroma barrier properties, making them ideal for food packaging. Derived predominantly from high-amylose corn, Plantic® materials are fully biodegradable and compostable, targeting the premium packaging market for confectionery, snacks, and fresh produce.
Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:
- Focus on high-barrier, transparent films—a significant technical achievement for bio-materials.
- Strategic partnership with Kuraray Co., Ltd. of Japan for global commercialization and R&D.
- Developing materials that are both renewable and offer extended shelf-life for food products.
4️⃣ 7. Braskem S.A.
Headquarters: São Paulo, Brazil
Key Offering: I’m green™ bio-based Polyethylene (PE) and EVA, Green Plastic
While Braskem’s “I’m green™” plastic is made from sugarcane ethanol, the company represents a major force in the transition to renewable carbon sources. Its large-scale production of bio-based polymers provides a complementary pathway to starch-based materials, together displacing fossil-fuel feedstocks. Braskem’s market presence highlights the broader bio-economy trend driving starch material adoption.
Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:
- World’s largest producer of bio-based polyethylene with a clear decarbonization strategy.
- Investing in chemical recycling and exploring bio-based polypropylene to expand its portfolio.
- Strong focus on South American and North American markets, leveraging regional feedstock advantages.
3️⃣ 8. Rodenburg Productie B.V.
Headquarters: Oosterhout, Netherlands
Key Offering: Solanyl® bioplastics and Bioplastics compounds
Rodenburg is a specialized manufacturer of Solanyl®, a range of bioplastic compounds based on reclaimed starches from the potato processing industry. This use of a by-product feedstock gives Solanyl® a strong sustainability profile. The materials are used in injection molding and extrusion for applications like disposable cutlery, pots, and various packaging items.
Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:
- Circular model utilizing potato starch waste from French fry production as a primary raw material.
- Produces both biodegradable and durable bioplastics tailored to specific customer applications.
- Vertically integrated production from raw material sourcing to compound manufacturing.
2️⃣ 9. Japan Corn Starch Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Corn starch, modified starches, and starch-based bioplastics
A leading starch processor in Asia, Japan Corn Starch has expanded into the bioplastics sector, leveraging its deep expertise in starch chemistry. The company produces biodegradable plastics and films under its “Cornpole” brand, serving the growing demand for sustainable packaging and disposable products in the Japanese and broader Asian markets.
Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:
- Investment in R&D for enhancing the water resistance and mechanical strength of starch-based plastics.
- Active role in promoting domestic bioplastics adoption through industry consortia in Japan.
- Focus on creating materials suitable for the rigorous demands of the Japanese food packaging industry.
1️⃣ 10. Cardia Bioplastics (A subsidiary of Cardia Bioplastics Limited)
Headquarters: Victoria, Australia
Key Offering: Cardia Biohybrid® and Compostable resins
Cardia Bioplastics develops and markets a range of resins that blend starch with traditional polymers to create its Biohybrid® range, as well as fully compostable formulations. This dual approach allows customers to reduce their carbon footprint incrementally or go fully biodegradable, offering flexibility for applications in film, rigid packaging, and consumer products.
Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:
- Focus on ‘hybrid’ technology to improve the sustainability profile of conventional plastics with renewable content.
- Global manufacturing and distribution network with facilities in Australia, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
- Development of customized resin solutions for multinational consumer goods companies.
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Starch-based Materials Market – View in Detailed Research Report
🌍 Outlook: The Future of Starch-based Materials Is High-Performance and Circular
The starch-based materials market is undergoing a profound evolution. While early applications focused on simple bags and loose-fill, the industry is now investing in sophisticated technologies to overcome historical limitations and meet diverse market needs.
📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:
- R&D focus on overcoming moisture sensitivity and improving barrier properties for competitive packaging.
- Rise of regulatory mandates like the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive and extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes globally.
- Growing brand owner commitments to incorporating post-consumer recycled (PCR) and renewable content, opening doors for starch-based blends.
- Exploration of next-generation feedstocks, including agricultural waste and non-food crops, to address sustainability concerns.
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Starch-based Materials Market – View in Detailed Research Report
The companies listed above are not only supplying sustainable materials—they’re engineering the polymer foundations for a post-plastic world.
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