The biodegradable mulch film market was USD 50.8 million in 2022, and it will reach USD 87.8 million by 2030, advancing at a rate of 7.1% in the years to come, as per PS Intelligence. The sector is driven by the increasing awareness concerning the damaging effects of inorganic mulching and supportive government guidelines.

Starch had the largest revenue of about 70% in the past. Starch has been the largest raw material till now, because of its numerous benefits, including low cost, compatibility with dissimilar types of soil, and ecological sustainability. Because of such benefits, the usage of starch-based mulch film is increasing amongst all over the world.

Starch is working as an emulsifier, encapsulant, viscosifier, defoaming agent, and sizing agent in a diversity of industrial uses. Starches are prized for their aptitude to impart textural properties accompanied by delivering gelling or film formation.

The requirement for biodegradable mulching for fruit vegetables is growing, because of its low life time cost and ban on inorganic mulching materials in numerous countries. Globally, nearly 2,500 square miles of agricultural land is employed for mulching of fruits vegetables. About 99% of the mulching of fruits vegetables is led by the usage of polyethylene mulch.

Polyethylene mulch is used as a layer for protection on the soil top in crop production, as it bids benefits including, conservation of soil, reduces soil erosion, and soil temperature maintaining. The fruits and vegetable mulching also helps in weed control, better moisture retention, faster crop growth, diminished fertilizer leaching, and enhanced quality of crops.

APAC dominated the biodegradable mulch film market with 40% in the past. The population increase in the region has given rise to increased necessity for food; therefore, farmers have accepted the use of biodegradable mulching technique, due to the adverse effects of inorganic mulching on the environment.
The usage of these film also improves crop yield, thus making itself the favorite of farmers for mulching in the region. Manufacturers such as BASF SE are investing in China because of increased requirement from APAC.

Furthermore, Europe was the second largest in terms of revenue generation. In the region, 95% inorganic mulching comprises the usage of fossil-based and non-biodegradable materials mostly manufactured outside Europe. Benefits presented by biodegradable mulching technique has encouraged farmers to make use of this this technique for the production of crops. Governments of Italy and France have formulated guidelines concerning the usage of biodegradable mulch films.