Why Are Biodegradable Materials Still Hard to Scale? Availability and Cost Challenges Explained
Biodegradable materials promise reduced plastic impact, but their adoption remains limited. Raw material supply relies on crops such as corn and sugarcane, which are seasonal and compete with food uses. Production accounts for only around 1% of global plastics, keeping costs high. Processing also requires industrial composting facilities that are not widely available. Higher prices and weaker performance still restrict broad application today.