South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market Size, Share, By Type (Starch-Based Plastics, Polylactic Acid, Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate, Polyhydroxyalkanoates, And Polybutylene Succinate), By Distribution Channel (Direct Sales And Indirect Sales), And South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market 2024: 64.68 Thousand Tonnes
• South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market Size 2035:  130.59 Thousand Tonnes
• South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market CAGR 2024: 6.6%
• South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market Segments: Type and Distribution Channel

The South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market Size encompasses eco-friendly sector including bio-based, biodegradable plastic materials. It refers to the products made from biodegradable resins like polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, starch blends and similar compostable resins that break down naturally through microbial action when exposed to suitable conditions. As a result, these biodegradable polymers greatly decrease the negative effects of traditional plastic waste on the environment.

The biodegradable polymer in South Korea are backed by government support, including the plastic waste reduction framework and associated regulatory programs led by the Ministry of Environment, which include aggressive mandates to reduce single-use plastics, strengthen recycling and composting systems. Under these policies that biodegradable polymer demand could increase by roughly 22% by 2025, driven in part by amendments requiring a significant proportion of biodegradable content in certain packaging applications and related incentive structures for manufacturers and converters to comply with sustainability targets.

As technology advances, South Korea’s biodegradable polymer providers are now led to improved mechanical characteristics, advanced blends, nanocomposite formulations, improved thermal properties, and enhanced biodegradation properties. Additionally, there has been substantial investigation into various biobased resources for generating new polymers, such as using algae or creating materials that will degrade in the ocean. Additional technological advancements will close the gap between traditional plastics' performance and will facilitate additional uses of plastics when exceeding simple packaging and moving toward producing items of greater value.

Market Dynamics of the South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market:

The South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market Size is driven by the stringent environmental regulations that target plastic pollution, rising consumer awareness of sustainability, expanding demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions, corporate commitments to achieve recyclable packaging, increasing pressure from global markets for sustainable supply chains, South Korea’s large agricultural sector for biodegradable mulch films and related products, supported government subsidies, and growing eco-conscious adoption.

The South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market Size is restrained by the high production costs, limited raw material supply, affordability and large-scale adoption challenges, complex manufacturing and reliance on imported feedstocks, lack of widespread industrial composting, and degradation infrastructure issues.

The future of South Korea biodegradable polymer market is bright and promising, with versatile opportunities emerging from the improved performance and processing technologies of bio-polymers will create additional opportunities in new markets for materials including automotive parts, electronic casings, HUDs, and 3D printing. The new circular economy will enable an evolution of business models focused on used materials return and reuse. The pressure created by many regions' environmental zones and the sustainability goals of the private sector will continue to drive the use of bio-degradable polymers in a variety of products.

 Market Segmentation

The South Korea biodegradable polymer market share is classified into type and distribution channel.

By Type:

The South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market Size is divided by type into starch-based plastics, polylactic acid, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and polybutylene succinate. Among these, the starch-based plastics segment held the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is predicted to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. High efficiency, versatility, ability to produce complex, high-quality polymers, and widely adopted in packaging, agriculture, cost-effective, and consumer goods all contribute to the starch based plastics segment's largest share and higher spending on biodegradable polymer when compared to other type.

By Distribution Channel:

The South Korea alkoxylates market is divided by distribution channel into direct sales and indirect sales. Among these, the direct sales segment dominated the share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. The direct sales segment dominates because massive end users in food & beverages, retail, and e-commerce sectors, better customization, shift towards sustainable packaging, large scale demand, and ensures compliance with environmental standards.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organisations/companies involved within the South Korea biodegradable polymer market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

Top Key Companies in South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market:

• SK Group
• LG Chem
• Lotte Chemical
• CJ CheilJedang
• Hyosung Chemicals
• Toray Advanced Materials Korea
• Kolon Industries
• GS Caltex
• Charmgraphene Co., Ltd.
• Others

Recent Developments in South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market:

In May 2025, KRICT, a joint research team developed a new marine-biodegradable polyester-amide (PEA) polymer that decomposes by over 92% in one year, suitable for fishing nets and packaging.

In May 2024, CJ CheilJedang introduced PHACT S1000P, a new semi-crystalline PHA at NPE 2024. This, along with their aPHA, was designed for high-durability applications in packaging and consumer goods.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at the South Korea, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the South Korea biodegradable polymer market based on the below-mentioned segments:

South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market, By Type

• Starch-Based Plastics
• Polylactic Acid
• Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate
• Polyhydroxyalkanoates
• Polybutylene Succinate

South Korea Biodegradable Polymer Market, By Distribution Channel

• Direct Sales
• Indirect Sales