Profitability
Whilst conventional plastics have experienced strong price increases of 30-80% in recent times as a result of high crude oil prices, bioplastics prices in some cases sank considerably. For the most part, the new materials largely remain more expensive than their crude oil based counterparts, however the relative price differential has clearly diminished (price range for all types: 1.50 – 4 .00 €/kg).
Agricultural products such as starch or sugar are comparatively price stable and affordable raw materials (Prices per tonne): Starch: 300 – 400 €, Sugar: 220 – 300 €, in comparison with crude oil: 400 € (Based on 70 US$/barrel, 1 € = 1.20 US$). The economic competitiveness of bioplastics is restricted by generally very high development costs and lack of the economies of scale which come with mass production. Based on forecasts for the development of crude oil prices, use of renewable resources will become increasingly economical into the future. It is essential for further development that products are marketed profitably even at this early stage. The market and production must grow, investment must be made into larger production facilities, and the necessary product optimisation must be able to be financed.