Insights from AB4S Report: Quantifying the Climate Advantage of PHA
The recently published Advanced Biotech for Sustainability (AB4S) report, backed by McKinsey & Company and authored by a consortium of global leaders in biotechnology, provides compelling evidence for the environmental and economic potential of advanced biotechnologies. Among its many findings, the report offers a rare, quantified comparison of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between conventional fossil-based plastics and next-generation bio-based materials such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).
One of the most salient data points highlights the emissions reduction potential of PHA:
“PHA currently has 20 percent lower emissions than PE, on average, with 1.88 kg CO₂ per kg of plastic, compared with 2.42 kg CO₂ per kg for PE. This difference is primarily because PHA production involves biological processes, such as fermentation, which are inherently less carbon-intensive.”
This distinction is significant. While most bio-based plastics are positioned as alternatives to fossil-derived polymers, PHA stands out due to its biological production pathways—including microbial fermentation—which not only reduce emissions at the production stage but also offer improved biodegradability at end of life.
Beyond Emissions: PHA in the Broader Sustainability and Economic Context
The AB4S report positions PHA as one of several materials contributing to a broader shift toward a sustainable industrial ecosystem. Across key sectors—agriculture, food, chemicals, personal care, and transportation fuels—the report estimates that advanced biotechnology could:
Abate 3 to 4 Gt CO₂e annually by 2040, representing ~5% of global emissions;
Free up 2–4 million km² of land, the equivalent of India’s total landmass;
Save 250–500 billion m³ of freshwater annually, addressing global water stress;
Unlock $700 billion to $1.1 trillion in annual economic value by 2040.
PHA production aligns closely with these system-level benefits. Its biodegradability, compatibility with circular design principles, and potential to replace conventional plastics in both packaging and durable goods make it a cornerstone of this emerging bioeconomy.
What This Means for Policy, Industry, and Investment
GO!PHA welcomes this data-driven validation of what the PHA community has long advocated: that PHA is not merely a niche innovation, but a credible, scalable solution for decarbonizing conventional plastics and enabling circular material flows. The emissions benchmark provided in the AB4S report strengthens the case for:
Policy incentives to prioritize low-carbon, bio-based alternatives;
Lifecycle-based procurement standards that favor materials like PHA;
Increased investment in fermentation-based production infrastructure;
Cross-sector collaboration to align waste systems and product standards with biodegradable and compostable materials.
The AB4S report offers a timely contribution to the growing body of data supporting the role of bio-based materials in reducing environmental impact. The quantified emissions advantage of PHA reinforces its relevance in ongoing discussions about material substitution, carbon reduction, and circular design.
As governments, industries, and research communities work toward more sustainable production and consumption systems, insights like these can help guide evidence-based decision-making. GO!PHA remains focused on supporting cross-sector collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the responsible advancement of materials like PHA that align environmental performance with long-term system change.