Alexei Volkov
Several companies are investing in the development of bioplastics, which are plastics made from renewable biomass sources. NatureWorks LLC, a US-based company, is one of the world's largest producers of polylactic acid (PLA), a type of bioplastic. The company is currently building a $600 million plant in Thailand to increase its production capacity. Other companies in the bioplastics market include Eastman Chemical Company, Plantic Technologies, Futamura Group, Polymateria Ltd, TIPA Corp Ltd, Biome Bioplastics, and Danimer Scientific. These companies are focused on creating biodegradable and sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics, with investments coming from both corporations and venture capitalists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Companies building bioplastics plants | NatureWorks LLC, BASF SE, Futamura Group, Plantic Technologies, TIPA Corp Ltd, Biome Bioplastics, Green Dot Bioplastics |
| Location of NatureWorks LLC plants | Blair, Nebraska; Thailand |
| NatureWorks LLC plant capacity | 150,000 metric tons of bioplastic pellets annually |
| NatureWorks LLC Thailand plant cost | $600 million |
| Location of BASF SE production sites | Europe, America, Asia, Africa |
| Number of BASF SE production sites | 390+ |
| Futamura Group location | Japan |
| Plantic Technologies location | Australia |
| TIPA Corp Ltd location | Israel |
| Biome Bioplastics location | UK |
| Green Dot Bioplastics location | Unclear |
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What You'll Learn
The environmental benefits of bioplastics
Bioplastics are plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources. They are often made from bio-based sources, including polysaccharides (e.g., corn starch or rice starch, cellulose, chitosan, and alginate) and proteins (e.g. soy protein). Some bioplastics are also biodegradable, meaning they can break down into harmless subunits and rejoin the natural ecosystem under the right conditions.
Secondly, biodegradable bioplastics can lessen pollution at the end of their life cycle if placed in the appropriate conditions to biodegrade. For example, polylactic acid (PLA), a common bioplastic, biodegrades under industrial composting conditions. This contributes to increased resource efficiency, especially if bio-based materials are reused, recycled, or used for energy recovery.
Thirdly, bioplastics can help meet climate targets. For instance, the EU has adopted proposals to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, and bioplastics can contribute to this goal through their lower carbon impact. Life cycle analyses show that bioplastics enable significant CO2 savings compared to conventional plastics.
Finally, bioplastics can address food waste issues. While there are concerns about using arable land to grow crops for non-food bioplastic production, unavoidable food waste and agricultural waste can be used as feedstock for bioplastics. For example, used coffee grounds, expired food, and corn husks can be gathered and used to make bioplastics, reducing waste and increasing resource efficiency.
Overall, bioplastics offer a more sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, improving environmental impact by reducing pollution, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and contributing to climate targets and waste reduction.
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Bioplastics' performance attributes
Bioplastics are gaining popularity in the context of the bioeconomy and circular economy. They are made from renewable biomass sources, including natural biopolymers such as polysaccharides (e.g. corn starch, cellulose) and proteins (e.g. soy protein). The use of these bio-based sources offers several performance attributes:
Biodegradability
Bioplastics are known for their biodegradability, which helps to reduce pollution and waste. They can break down into harmless subunits, rejoining the natural ecosystem under the right conditions. This is in contrast to non-biodegradable plastics, which can take centuries to degrade and contribute to environmental pollution, particularly in marine and terrestrial environments.
Low Environmental Impact
Bioplastics have a low environmental impact due to their ability to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. They also save energy during manufacturing and can be produced from waste products, such as food waste and agricultural residues, further contributing to their sustainability.
Mechanical Performance
The mechanical properties of bioplastics can be enhanced through various methods. Reinforcing agents and natural fibres can be added to improve tensile strength, flexural strength, hardness, and impact strength. Filler type, percentage, and aspect ratio also play a role in optimising the mechanical performance of bioplastics.
Recyclability
Bioplastics can be recycled, further reducing their environmental impact. However, the capability to recycle bioplastics varies, and appropriate technologies must be selected based on the specific biopolymers used.
Customisation
Bioplastics, such as OleoPlast, exhibit thermoplastic behaviour and can be customised to suit specific processing techniques. This adaptability allows for a wide range of applications, including injection moulding, hot pressing, and extrusion.
Other Attributes
Bioplastics also offer oxygen/moisture resistance and have applications in food packaging due to their low carbon footprint and reduced environmental impact. They can be produced from a range of feedstocks, including vegetable oils, microalgae-derived oils, and agricultural waste, providing flexibility in their production.
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Companies investing in bioplastics
Several companies are investing in bioplastics, which are plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources. Bioplastics are derived from sources such as sugars and starches from crops like corn and hemp, rather than oil or gas, and do not create any toxic waste in their production.
NatureWorks LLC, headquartered in the US, is one of the world's largest producers of PLA (polylactic acid), a bioplastic usually produced by fermenting sugar from corn and sugar cane. The company is jointly owned by PTT Global Chemicals and Cargill and manufactures bioplastics derived entirely from plant resources such as corn starch. NatureWorks is building a $600 million plant in Thailand that will increase its production capacity by 50%.
Danimer Scientific, a Georgia-based firm, is another company investing heavily in bioplastics. It produces PHA, a bioplastic made using microorganisms that ferment with canola oil. The company has recently expanded its plant in Winchester, Kentucky, making it one of the largest PHA producers in the world.
Other companies in the bioplastics market include BASF, Corbion, Avantium, Good Natured, Eastman Chemical Company, Plantic Technologies, Futamura Group, Polymateria Ltd, and TIPA Corp Ltd. These companies are focused on developing and manufacturing biodegradable plastics and bioplastics derived from renewable sources.
The bioplastics market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Zion Market Research estimates the market will surge from $10.5 billion in 2021 to $29 billion in 2028, with companies and investors seeing opportunities in this space.
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Bioplastics' feedstock
Bioplastics are derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, sawdust, recycled food waste, and other biowaste. They are also made from carbohydrate-rich plants, including corn, wheat, or sugar beets, known as food crops or agricultural feedstock. The bioplastics industry is actively exploring new sources of biomass to develop innovative materials. This includes agricultural byproducts, forestry industry residues, and various types of biowaste.
One of the primary bioplastics on the market today is polylactic acid (PLA), which is produced by fermenting sugar from corn and sugarcane. PLA is used to manufacture products such as films, fibres, plastic containers, cups, and bottles. It is also the most common type of plastic filament for home fused deposition modelling in 3D printers. However, PLA exhibits inferior impact strength, thermal robustness, and barrier properties compared to non-biodegradable plastics.
Another type of bioplastic is polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which include poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), and polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH). These bioplastics are biodegradable under specific conditions, such as composting, and are environmentally friendly. They are used in various sectors, including packaging, automotive, consumer goods, construction, textiles, and agriculture.
Companies such as NatureWorks, a joint venture between Cargill and PTT Global Chemical, are investing heavily in the bioplastics industry. NatureWorks is building a $600 million plant in Thailand to increase its production capacity. Other companies like Plantic Technologies, Futamura Group, TIPA Corp Ltd, and Biome Bioplastics are also developing biodegradable plastics obtained from renewable sources.
The global bioplastic market is expected to reach USD 25.27 billion by 2027, registering a steady CAGR of 14.9% during the forecast period. However, high costs, limited performance compared to conventional plastics, and low awareness about the benefits of bioplastics may hamper market growth.
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Bioplastics' future
Bioplastics are plastic materials produced from renewable biomass sources. They are biodegradable and made from natural materials like shellac or cellulose. Bioplastics have been gaining interest again in the context of the bioeconomy and circular economy.
The future of bioplastics looks promising, with companies investing billions in fully biodegradable bioplastics made from natural materials. The bioplastics market is estimated to surge from $10.5 billion in 2021 to $29 billion in 2028. This growth is largely due to two reasons: environmental benefits and unique performance attributes. Bioplastics have a very low carbon footprint compared to traditional plastics, and most are biodegradable or compostable. They also have specific properties and performance characteristics that make them ideal for certain applications, such as 3D printing and high-value-added filtration.
Several companies are making significant investments in the bioplastics industry. For example, NatureWorks, a US-based company, manufactures bioplastics derived entirely from plant resources such as corn starch. The company is jointly owned by PTT Global Chemicals and Cargill and has a large plant in Blair, Nebraska. NatureWorks is also building a $600 million plant in Thailand to increase its production capacity by 50%. Another company, Danimer Scientific, has expanded its plant in Winchester, Kentucky, and is now one of the largest PHA producers in the world.
The use of renewable raw materials in bioplastic manufacturing is a key component of its environmental sustainability. By reducing dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels and minimizing carbon emissions, bioplastics offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics. As technology continues to advance, the range of raw materials for bioplastic manufacturing is expected to expand, further driving the growth of this industry.
Bioplastics can be made from a range of bio-based sources, such as sugars and starches from crops like corn and hemp. However, there are concerns about using arable land for non-food products. Other options include using food and agricultural waste, algae, and mycelium (the roots of mushrooms) as bioplastic feedstock. Bioplastics are already being used in various sectors, including packaging, automotive, consumer goods, and construction.
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Frequently asked questions
Some companies that are building bioplastics plants include NatureWorks, Danimer Scientific, and CJ Bio. NatureWorks is headquartered in the US and is jointly owned by PTT Global Chemicals and Cargill. Danimer Scientific is a Georgia-based firm that recently expanded its plant in Winchester, Kentucky. CJ Bio is headquartered in South Korea and is expanding its plant in Indonesia.
Bioplastics are made from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, straw, woodchips, and recycled food waste.
Bioplastics have a low carbon footprint compared to traditional plastics, and most are biodegradable or compostable. They also reduce reliance on limited fossil-fuel resources and can be used in a variety of applications, such as packaging, consumer products, electronics, and construction.
