Introduction to Bioplastics
Bioplastics are plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch or microbiota, rather than from petroleum. Bioplastics provide an alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics by utilizing renewable resources for the production of packaging, disposable tableware, packaging films and coatings. Although bioplastics currently make up less than 1% of the global plastic market, experts project exponential growth for bioplastics over the coming years.
Types of Bioplastics
There are several main categories of Bioplastics differentiated by their origin and properties:
– Polylactic acid (PLA): One of the most widely used bioplastics, PLA is made from starch or sugars derived from crops like corn or sugar cane. It is compostable, heat-sealable and retains properties similar to petroleum-based plastics. Common applications for PLA include food packaging, bags and 3D printing filament.
– Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): Produced by bacterial fermentation of plant and animal fats/oils, PHA forms a very strong moisture-resistant plastic. Though more expensive than petroleum plastics currently, PHA’s properties make it suitable for high-performance applications like medical implants.
– Biopolyesters: Made through fermentation or chemical synthesis, biopolyesters like polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) are flexible, heat-sealable films often blended with petroleum plastics to produce more sustainable plastic products.
– Starch blends: Starch extracted from roots, corn or potatoes can be blended with petroleum-based polymers or other bioplastics to manufacture flexible films, molded containers and coatings with improved drainage, printability and shelf-life over pure starch plastics.
Advantages of Bioplastics
Reduced Environmental Impact
Compared to petroleum-based plastics, bioplastics have a significantly lower carbon footprint since they are produced from renewable plant biomass instead of fossil fuels. This means bioplastics can help cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependence on non-renewable petroleum resources. Additionally, many bioplastics are compostable and will break down naturally in commercial composting facilities within a few months, as opposed to fossil fuel plastics which persist in landfills for centuries.
Improved Sustainability
The raw materials used to produce bioplastics like corn, sugarcane or cellulosic waste are renewable and sustainable. This helps address issues of resource scarcity associated with petroleum-based plastics. Bioplastics also offer the opportunity for closed-loop recycling, where compostable bioplastics can be returned to the soil as nutrients after use rather than adding to landfill waste.
Economic Development
As feedstocks for bioplastics, agricultural crops provide an alternative market for farmers and stimulate rural economic growth. Production of bioplastics promotes advanced biotechnology and a greener economy less dependent on hydrocarbon imports. It supports jobs across the agricultural, R&D and manufacturing sectors related to bioplastics.
Performance Advantages
While early bioplastics struggled with performance issues versus fossil fuels plastics, newer generations are successfully replicating the properties of traditional plastics with many bioplastics matching gloss, durability and heat resistance. Advanced bioplastics allow former petroleum applications to be directly substituted with renewable products.
Challenges with Bioplastics
Higher Production Costs
The overall production cost for bioplastics is still usually higher than comparable petroleum-based plastics which benefit from economy of scale in a mature industry. However, prices are declining as bioplastics capacity expands and innovations reduce raw material and manufacturing expenses.
Limited Applications
The range of bioplastics suitable as a direct drop-in replacement for all fossil fuel plastic applications remains limited for now. However, their targeted use where performance properties meet appropriate sustainability criteria is growing rapidly.
Inconsistent Infrastructure
While some municipalities have commercial composting facilities for bioplastics, most landfills and recycling systems are not yet able to distinguish or process compostable bioplastics. Achieving widespread end-of-life infrastructure compatibility remains a challenge slowing market adoption.
Despite existing technical and economic challenges, bioplastics are projected to experience exponential market growth in the coming years as production capacity increases to meet rising global demand. The bioplastics market is forecast to grow at over 15% annually through 2025, surpassing 3.14 million tons and valued at over $8 billion according to Grand View Research. Leading retailers and consumer brands have ambitious targets to shift towards more eco-friendly bioplastic packaging to meet sustainability objectives. Expanding agricultural capacity for bioplastics feedstocks and the development of advanced biorefineries able to produce a wider range of high-performance bioplastics will be key to supporting this growth. With continued technology innovation and infrastructure development supporting their end-of-life management, bioplastics represent a compelling alternative poised to play a larger role in transitioning the global plastics economy to a more sustainable model.
Food Packaging Focus for Bioplastics
With consumer awareness of plastic waste and sustainability issues, food companies are under increasing pressure to offer more eco-friendly packaging options. Bioplastics can play a significant role in reducing the environmental impact of conventional single-use plastic food packaging like bags, clamshell containers, film wraps and coated paper cups which commonly end up as litter or in landfills. Currently, the food packaging segment accounts for over 30% of the bioplastics market, valued at $1 billion in 2018 according to European Bioplastics. Leading food brands and retailers have begun introducing more sustainable bioplastic alternatives for certain applications as part of their packaging goals and commitments. Compostable bioplastic food packaging allows products to be disposed of through organic waste streams and return nutrients to the soil after use, providing a renewable alternative to fossil fuel plastics which accumulate in the environment. While a multi-material circular economy approach remains ideal, bioplastics represent an important transition strategy for reducing the impacts of disposable food packaging when infrastructure is limited. If global composting systems continue to expand and develop in tandem, bioplastics could play a defining role in helping shape a future of truly sustainable food packaging.
