Alexei Volkov
Biodegradable plastic polymers are a special class of polymers that break down after their intended purpose through a bacterial decomposition process, resulting in natural byproducts such as gases, water, biomass, and inorganic salts. These polymers are found both naturally and synthetically and are commonly produced with renewable raw materials, microorganisms, petrochemicals, or combinations of these. Biodegradable plastics are often used for disposable items such as packaging, cutlery, and food service containers, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics. While the terms bioplastic and biodegradable plastic are similar, they are not interchangeable, as not all bioplastics are biodegradable, and some biodegradable plastics are fully petroleum-based.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Plastics that can be decomposed by the action of living organisms, usually microbes, into water, carbon dioxide, biomass, and inorganic salts. |
| Composition | Bioplastics, derived from renewable raw materials, microorganisms, petrochemicals, or a combination of these. |
| Types | Biopolyesters, Agro-polymers, Lignin-based polymer composites, Polyglycolic acid, PLA, PHB, PHA, PHV, PHH, etc. |
| Properties | Stable, durable, elastic, viscous, antimicrobial, strong carbon backbones, hydrophilic, low crystallinity, low polymerization, etc. |
| Applications | Medicine, packaging, disposable items (cutlery, containers, straws, etc.), agricultural mulch, edible films, etc. |
| Advantages | Eco-friendly, reduced use of fossil fuels, smaller carbon footprint, faster decomposition, cheaper than conventional plastics, etc. |
| Challenges | Recycling challenges, higher cost, water sensitivity, performance issues, etc. |
| Biodegradation Factors | Chemical structure, physical properties, surface conditions, type of microorganisms, enzymes, environmental factors, etc. |
| Examples | Biopol, Ecovio, Ingeo (PLA), etc. |
| Current Market | As of 2018, bioplastics represented ~2% of global plastic output. |
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What You'll Learn
- Biodegradable plastics are commonly used for disposable items such as cutlery, packaging and food containers
- Bioplastics are derived from renewable raw materials, microorganisms, petrochemicals or a combination of these
- Biodegradable polymers are often used to reduce the volume of waste in packaging materials
- Lignin-based polymer composites are bio-renewable natural polymers with biodegradable properties
- Biodegradable plastics are a special class of polymer that breaks down after its intended purpose
Biodegradable plastics are commonly used for disposable items such as cutlery, packaging and food containers
Biodegradable plastics are plastics that can be decomposed by the action of living organisms, usually microbes, into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. They are commonly produced with renewable raw materials, micro-organisms, petrochemicals, or combinations of all three. Biodegradable plastics are increasingly being used for disposable items such as cutlery, packaging, and food containers.
With rising consumer awareness around plastic pollution and sustainability, many business owners are keen to reduce their environmental footprint. Biodegradable disposable cutlery is made from materials that break down naturally in the environment. Traditional plastic products contribute significantly to waste in landfills and oceans, whereas biodegradable options are often made from plant-based materials such as cornstarch, sugarcane, bamboo, or agave. Biodegradable cutlery is also available in the form of sturdy, moisture-resistant paperboard, which uses less material and is certified compostable and recyclable.
Biodegradable food containers are designed to guarantee the safe handling, transportation, and preservation of food until it is consumed. They are part of a broader movement toward sustainable consumption, with consumers increasingly demanding environmentally friendly food packaging. Biodegradable packaging can be composed by the action of biological agents such as water, sunlight, and microorganisms, without leaving any microplastics in nature. It degrades without generating waste, although this process can take years.
There are several types of biodegradable packaging, including paper, which is one of the oldest forms of compostable packaging, and hemp, which is highly biodegradable, resilient, and versatile, although it is not yet commercially available in its polymerized form. Seaweed-based material is also highly biodegradable and suitable for short-term packaging, but it is unstable and cannot be used for food packaging, transport, or storage. PLA is another option for packaging; it is bio-based and can be molded like conventional plastic, but it composts slowly even in an industrial composter.
Lignin is another biodegradable substance that can be used in plastic production. It is a byproduct of polysaccharide extraction from plant material, and it is produced in large quantities by the chemical pulp industry. Lignin is useful because it is lightweight, environmentally friendly, and neutral to CO2 release during biodegradation. It also has comparable chemical properties to current plastic chemicals, including reactive functional groups and the ability to form into films.
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Bioplastics are derived from renewable raw materials, microorganisms, petrochemicals or a combination of these
Bioplastics are derived from a variety of sources, including renewable raw materials, microorganisms, petrochemicals, or a combination of these.
Renewable Raw Materials
Bioplastics can be produced from renewable biomass sources, such as natural materials like shellac or cellulose. These natural biopolymers include polysaccharides, such as corn starch, rice starch, cellulose, chitosan, and alginate, as well as proteins like soy protein, wheat gluten, and casein. These materials possess promising properties as raw materials for biodegradable polymers. For instance, soy proteins have been used in plastic production for over a century, with soy-based plastics being used in the body panels of Ford automobiles. However, soy-based plastics are sensitive to water and relatively expensive, so blends with biodegradable polyesters are often used to improve water sensitivity and cost. Another example of a bioplastic derived from renewable raw materials is polylactic acid (PLA), which is produced from maize or dextrose. PLA is transparent and similar to conventional petrochemical-based plastics like PS, but it biodegrades under industrial composting conditions.
Microorganisms
Bioplastics can also be synthesised by microorganisms, specifically by the accumulation of intracellular polyesters in the form of storage granules. These polyesters, known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), are produced by many species of microorganisms and can completely biodegrade within a year, in contrast to petroleum-derived plastics that take several decades. The most common PHA is poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), which is produced by microorganisms through specific metabolic pathways. Other PHAs include polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) and polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH).
Petrochemicals
While bioplastics are often associated with renewable sources, they can also be derived from petrochemicals, which are obtained from fossil crude oil, coal, or natural gas. In fact, conventional petro-based polymers are sometimes blended with bioplastics to create "bio-attributed" or "mass-balanced" plastic products, blurring the line between bio- and other plastics. Bioplastics made from petrochemicals include bio-PE, bio-PET, bio-propylene, and bio-PP, which are chemically identical to their fossil-fuel counterparts but made from renewable resources.
Combination of Sources
The combination of renewable raw materials and petrochemicals is also utilised in the production of bioplastics. For example, lignin, a byproduct of polysaccharide extraction from plant material, exhibits biodegradable properties and can be used as a bioplastic. Lignin is stable, elastic, and viscous, with antimicrobial properties, making it an attractive environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics. Additionally, the use of genetically modified crops or bacteria in the "plant factory" model further showcases the potential for combining different sources to optimise the efficiency of bioplastic production.
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Biodegradable polymers are often used to reduce the volume of waste in packaging materials
Biodegradable polymers are a special class of polymers that break down after their intended use through a bacterial decomposition process. This process results in natural byproducts such as gases (CO2, N2), water, biomass, and inorganic salts. Biodegradable polymers are commonly used to reduce the volume of waste in packaging materials.
Biodegradable polymers can be found both naturally and synthetically. They are often synthesised by condensation reactions, ring-opening polymerisation, and metal catalysts. They are commonly produced with renewable raw materials, microorganisms, petrochemicals, or combinations of these. Biodegradable polymers tend to consist of ester, amide, or ether bonds. They are often used in medicine and to reduce the volume of waste in packaging materials.
Polylactic acid (PLA), a type of biodegradable polymer, is commonly used for packaging. It is typically made from the sugars in corn starch, cassava, or sugarcane. PLA is used for a variety of films, wrappings, and containers (including bottles and cups). In 2002, the FDA ruled that PLA was safe to use in all food packaging. PLA is biodegradable, carbon-neutral, and edible. However, it is considered non-biodegradable according to American and European standards because it does not biodegrade outside of artificial composting conditions.
Biodegradable polymers have the advantage of breaking down over time, which helps to reduce the volume of waste. This is especially beneficial for packaging materials, which often contribute significantly to waste volumes. By using biodegradable polymers, the environmental impact of packaging waste can be minimised.
Additionally, biodegradable polymers can be foamed into packing materials, providing a green alternative to traditional packaging. They can also be injection-moulded and extruded in modified conventional machines, allowing for flexibility in the production process. Different types of fillers, such as wood flour, lime, clay, or waste paper, can be used to customise the appearance and functionality of the packaging material.
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Lignin-based polymer composites are bio-renewable natural polymers with biodegradable properties
Biodegradable plastic polymers are plastics that can be decomposed by living organisms, usually microbes, into water, carbon dioxide, biomass, and inorganic salts. They are commonly produced with renewable raw materials, microorganisms, petrochemicals, or combinations of these. Biodegradable polymers are found both naturally and synthetically, and they largely consist of ester, amide, and ether functional groups. Their breakdown mechanism is determined by their structure.
Lignin-based polymer composites are a type of biodegradable plastic polymer. Lignin is the second most abundant natural polymer after cellulose and is found as a byproduct of polysaccharide extraction from plant material in industries such as paper-making and ethanol production. It is a low-weight, environmentally friendly material with antimicrobial properties. It is also stable and contains aromatic rings, making it a suitable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Lignin is carbon-neutral and does not release CO2 during biodegradation, unlike other biodegradable plastic processes such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Lignin is a promising candidate for the development of novel polymer composite materials due to its impressive properties and abundance. It can be used as a starting material or in the form of lignin-derived monomers, both of which have their advantages and limitations in terms of cost and structural variety.
The utilization of lignin in polymer matrices for high-performance composite applications is an active area of research. Lignin-based polymer composites can be engineered for various applications, including thermoset, thermoplastic, biodegradable, rubber, and foam composites.
The development and utilization of lignin-based polymer composites offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics, contributing to a circular bioeconomy.
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Biodegradable plastics are a special class of polymer that breaks down after its intended purpose
Biodegradable plastics are a special class of polymer that breaks down after serving its intended purpose. They are commonly produced with renewable raw materials, microorganisms, petrochemicals, or a combination of these. Biodegradable plastics are often derived from biomass, microorganisms, or synthesised from fossil fuels.
Biodegradable polymers are typically stable and durable for their intended use but break down easily upon disposal. This degradation is often initiated at the polymer's end-groups, which have extremely strong carbon backbones. The breakdown mechanism is determined by the polymer's structure, and the process results in natural byproducts such as gases (CO2, N2), water, biomass, and inorganic salts.
These polymers are found in both natural and synthetic forms, with synthetic biodegradable polymers often created through condensation reactions, ring-opening polymerisation, and metal catalysts. The most common biodegradable polymers include polysaccharides, proteins, and biopolyesters. Polysaccharides, such as starches, can be found in potatoes or wood, while proteins can be sourced from animal whey or plant-derived gluten. Biopolyesters, on the other hand, are derived from microorganisms or synthesised from monomers.
Biodegradable plastics have gained popularity due to their potential environmental benefits. They are used in a variety of applications, including disposable items such as packaging, cutlery, and food service containers. However, it is important to note that not all biodegradable plastics are the same, and their biodegradability depends on factors such as chemical structure, physical properties, and surface conditions.
Furthermore, while biodegradable plastics offer a potential solution to the issue of plastic waste, they also face challenges such as cost, performance, and the availability of effective recycling streams. Nevertheless, with ongoing research and a growing trend towards environmentally conscious practices, biodegradable plastics are becoming an increasingly viable option in certain markets.
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Frequently asked questions
Biodegradable polymers are a special class of polymers that break down after their intended purpose through a bacterial decomposition process. This process results in natural byproducts such as gases (CO2, N2), water, biomass, and inorganic salts.
Biodegradable polymers are made from renewable raw materials, microorganisms, petrochemicals, or a combination of these. They tend to consist of ester, amide, or ether bonds.
Examples of biodegradable polymers include lignin-based polymer composites, polylactic acid (PLA), and polyglycolic acid (PGA). PLA is typically made from the sugars in corn starch, cassava, or sugarcane.
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