A report from the CSIRO has put a spotlight on the growing environmental concerns driving a rise in bioplastics.
Most see the rise in the production of bioplastics is a positive sign for the food packaging sector, especially when taking into consideration the type of material it is superseding. However, a report from the CSIRO has highlighted some areas of concern.
The CSIRO’s State of Bioplastics in Australia report uncovered consumer confusion around bioplastics, resulting in many items being sent to landfill or contaminating recycling and composting streams.
Currently, plastics derived from fossil fuels account for three per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Bioplastics are plastics made from either petrochemical-based or renewable natural materials. While not all bioplastics are biodegradable, many options are available that are low-carbon, biodegradable, and compostable.
With global plastic production reaching 460 million tonnes and expected to double by 2040, demand for sustainable, bio-based alternatives is increasing.
In Australia, APCO’s 2025 National Packaging Targets has created even more demand for change within the country.
APCO’s National Packaging Targets are:
- 100 per cent reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging
- 70 per cent of plastic packaging being recycled or composted
- 50 per cent of average recycled content included in packaging
Dr Albert Ardevol, CSIRO’s Plastic Packaging research lead, said bioplastics offer a promising solution to reduce fossil fuel dependence, mitigate plastic pollution, and optimise material circulation.
“Bioplastics cover a wide range of polymer types and uses, but there is confusion around terminology and how to process bioplastics after use,” he said.
“Australia doesn’t have standardised labelling so it’s hard for consumers to understand the different types of materials and how they integrate into existing waste management systems.”
“Bioplastics are often a more sustainable alternative. However, if disposed of incorrectly, bioplastics can contaminate recycling and waste streams.
“A large portion of bioplastics end up in landfill, where they can decompose and release methane emissions. This negatively contributes to waste and climate change and does not achieve circularity.”
Meanwhile, global bio-based plastic production has more than doubled since 2010, with nearly half of the 2.18 million tonnes of bioplastics produced in 2023 being used for packaging, the largest contributor to plastic pollution.
However, the uptake of bioplastics remains limited by high production costs, with most bioplastics in Australia imported from Thailand and Brazil.
“Bioplastics make up only one per cent of plastic used in Australia, which provides a significant opportunity to create commercial opportunities, while reducing impacts on the environment,” said Ardevol.
“Polylactic acid (PLA) is predominantly used in Australia for packaging, but the majority ends up in landfill, which highlights the need for improved waste management and recycling infrastructure.
“Polyhydroxy acids (PHA) offers good commercial viability for single-use products as it can break down in various environments.
“Bioplastics can also replace conventional plastics in horticulture, agriculture, and biomedicine, such as mulch film.”
Dr Deborah Lau, CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste lead, said establishing design standards is crucial to advancing the bioplastics industry in Australia.
“Bioplastics need to be designed and considered within the broader plastic waste system,” said Lau.
“Raw materials used for bioplastics production in Australia are mainly sugarcane, corn sugar, and starches for PLA, bio-polyethylene (BioPE) and PHA, and some need specialist waste management facilities.
“As they are not accepted in most existing waste collection streams, capacity and infrastructure for processing bioplastics needs to be developed.
“Addressing some of the complex challenges across the plastics supply chain will help expand the bioplastics industry in Australia, such as developing new products that overcome environmental, economic, and infrastructure barriers.
“For example, CSIRO has established the Bioplastics Innovation Hub with Murdoch University to develop 100 per cent compostable plastics which could break down in both industrial and home composting facilities.”
The report is part of CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste research, which aims to transform the way plastics are produced, used, recycled, and disposed.
Earlier this year it was reported that global bioplastic packaging markets are set to expand by 12.5 per cent by 2033.
The food and beverage industry remains at the forefront of this revolution, mostly because of the need for plastic packaging.
While challenges such as sourcing agricultural raw materials and concerns over chemical additives persist, the industry remains resilient, and innovations in bioplastics research and regulatory initiatives, such as the European Union’s ban on single-use plastics, are propelling the market forward, driving sustainability at its core.
The Federal Government has also thrown its support behind driving growth in Australia’s bioplastics sector, unveiling an $8 million Bioplastics Innovation Hub in Perth in September.
“Compostable plastic is on the frontline for the war on plastic waste, and the Bioplastics Innovation Hub will be HQ,” said Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science.
“We’re one of the biggest consumers of single-use plastics in the world, but we only recycle 14 percent of it.
“Converting our food wrappers and drink containers from forever plastics to biodegradable plastics will attack the waste problem at its source.”
The facility will fast-track the production of 100 per cent compostable bioplastics, helping to meet the government’s goal of reducing the total waste generated in Australia by 10 per cent, per person by 2030.
A co-investment collaboration between the CSIRO and Murdoch University, the Hub will bring together industry and research organisations to address manufacturing needs and identify commercial pathways for compostable plastics.
Bioplastics currently make up just one percent of the market. As global concerns around plastic waste and fossil fuel resources increases, so too does the demand for more sustainable products to be available to businesses and consumers.
WA-based Ecopha Biotechnology, focused on turning food waste into compostable water bottles, is the first industry partner for the Hub.
Technology from companies such as Spiegare Consulting and BioRa Biorenewable Alternatives is also being applied, replacing chemical additives used within the moulding and forming process of plastic with environmentally friendly bio-additives.
“If we get this right, we won’t just be removing millions of tonnes of microplastic from our environment,” said Husic.
“We’ll be tapping into a growing global market for these products, creating a new industry and the jobs that go with it.”