As one of the largest and most technologically advanced plastic markets in the world, Germany is emerging as a crucial battleground for the transition to sustainable materials.
Under the circumstances where carbon reduction actions are continuously deepening and the circular economy is accelerating, biobased materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) are experiencing rapid development opportunities. Total Energy Cobion, a global leader in bioplastics, is actively planning and accelerating this transformation process.
As the third-largest economy in the world, Germany's plastic industry is not only large in scale but also has a significant impact on the entire European market. According to data, Germany's annual plastic production is approximately 211 million tons, ranking first in Europe.
However, biobased plastics currently account for only about 1% of the total plastic demand in Germany, indicating a huge market growth potential and development prospects (Kreislaufwirtschaft Deutsch-land, 2024).
Meanwhile, Germany still needs to incinerate over 1.6 million tons of plastic packaging waste each year (Systemiq, 2024), further highlighting the urgent need for low-carbon circular materials. In the packaging, medical, and automotive industries, as environmental regulations become stricter and consumers' preference for sustainability strengthens, the demand for PLA is steadily increasing (Chemanalyst, 2024).
Derek Atkinson, Vice President of Total Energy Cobine Business, said: "With its economic size, industrial foundation and firm commitment to sustainable development, Germany has become one of the most promising markets for biobased plastics globally. Luminy® PLA, with its significant low-carbon footprint, recyclable and compostable properties, and outstanding performance, will play a key role in driving the material transformation process in Germany."
Total Energy & IMCD Germany
To better serve the German market and facilitate industrial upgrading, Total E&P Cobine recently announced a strategic partnership with IMCD Germany, a distributor of high-performance materials.
Relying on IMCD's local channel network, technical expertise and local experience in Germany, the Luminy® PLA product series will more comprehensively reach customers in various industries in Germany, helping enterprises efficiently obtain and apply this bio-based material solution.
IMCD Germany collaborates with the world's leading material producers to provide innovative and sustainable solutions for the plastic processing, composite and modification industries. The company's business covers more than twenty fields such as healthcare, automotive, packaging, electronics and electrical appliances, consumer goods, construction and renewable energy, etc. With high-performance materials and professional technical support, it helps customers in various industries achieve their sustainable development goals.
This collaboration will further enhance TotalEnergies Cobion's ability to serve customers of various scales, while continuing to provide direct support to its existing key clients.
Patrick Fink, the head of IMCD's high-performance materials business in Germany, said: "Germany is a strategic market that we highly value. Localized professional support and services are of utmost importance. We look forward to deepening our cooperation with Total E&P Cobine and jointly helping more enterprises achieve their sustainable development goals through PLA materials."
Derek Atkinson concluded: "PLA is no longer a niche choice; it has become a scalable and high-performance material solution. It will help the German plastic industry achieve the common vision of circular economy and sustainability."
