Bioplastic
Since the end of the 19th century they have been increasingly superseded by fossil-fuel plastics derived from petroleum or natural gas (fossilized biomass is not considered to be renewable in reasonable short time).
Life cycle analysis studies show that some bioplastics can be made with a lower carbon footprint than their fossil counterparts, for example when biomass is used as raw material and also for energy production.
[4][5][6][7] Whether any kind of plastic is degradable or non-degradable (durable) depends on its molecular structure, not on whether or not the biomass constituting the raw material is fossilized.
Typical is the example of Italy, where biodegradable plastic bags are compulsory for shoppers since 2011 with the introduction of a specific law.
[27] The characteristics of the resulting bioplastic (also called "thermoplastic starch") can be tailored to specific needs by adjusting the amounts of these additives.
[36] Starch-based films (mostly used for packaging purposes) are made mainly from starch blended with thermoplastic polyesters to form biodegradable and compostable products.
For example, wheat gluten and casein show promising properties as a raw material for different biodegradable polymers.
Unfortunately, it exhibits inferior impact strength, thermal robustness, and barrier properties (blocking air transport across the membrane) compared to non-biodegradable plastics.
It is used in high-performance applications like automotive fuel lines, pneumatic airbrake tubing, electrical cable antitermite sheathing, flexible oil and gas pipes, control fluid umbilicals, sports shoes, electronic device components, and catheters.
A similar plastic is Polyamide 410 (PA 410), derived 70% from castor oil, under the trade name EcoPaXX, commercialized by DSM.
Ethylene is chemically similar to, and can be derived from ethanol, which can be produced by fermentation of agricultural feedstocks such as sugar cane or corn.
[51] Polyurethanes,[52][53] polyesters,[54] epoxy resins[55] and a number of other types of polymers have been developed with comparable properties to crude oil based materials.
The recent development of olefin metathesis has opened a wide variety of feedstocks to economical conversion into biomonomers and polymers.
In 2024, Lamanna et al. introduced oleogels based on ethyl cellulose and vegetable oils as a novel bioplastic, named OleoPlast.
The key advantages of OleoPlast include the ability to customize its mechanical and physical properties, as well as its compatibility with different processing techniques, such as injection molding, hot pressing, extrusion, and fused filament fabrication.
[59][60] The environmental impact of bioplastics is often debated, as there are many different metrics for "greenness" (e.g., water use, energy use, deforestation, biodegradation, etc.).
[64] Eutrophication is a threat to water resources around the world since it causes harmful algal blooms that create oxygen dead zones, killing aquatic animals.
[59] Other environmental impacts of bioplastics include exerting lower human and terrestrial ecotoxicity and carcinogenic potentials compared to conventional plastics.
[64] Bioplastics and other bio-based materials increase stratospheric ozone depletion compared to conventional plastics; this is a result of nitrous oxide emissions during fertilizer application during industrial farming for biomass production.
[73] Soil environments on the other hand have high diversity of microorganisms making it easier for biodegradation of bioplastics to occur.
The construction industry started to take notice of bioplastics' potential in the late 2000s, driven by the global push for greener building practices.
Innovations in biopolymer blends and composites have made bioplastics more suitable for construction applications, ranging from insulation to structural components.
The future of bioplastics in construction looks promising, with continued research and innovation likely to expand their applications and improve their performance.
[80] As the construction industry increasingly embraces sustainability, bioplastics are poised to play a critical role in the development of eco-friendly building materials.
[81] Bioplastics offer a sustainable and versatile alternative to traditional construction materials, with significant environmental and economic benefits.
While challenges remain, particularly in terms of cost and performance, the ongoing advancements in bioplastic technology[82] hold the potential to transform the construction industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.
In summary, it requires multiple tests and sets pass/fail criteria, including disintegration (physical and visual break down) of the finished item within 12 weeks, biodegradation (conversion of organic carbon into CO2) of polymeric ingredients within 180 days, plant toxicity and heavy metals.
[109]This definition drew much criticism because, contrary to the way the word is traditionally defined, it completely divorces the process of "composting" from the necessity of it leading to humus/compost as the end product.
Its description is as follows: This guide covered suggested criteria, procedures, and a general approach to establish the compostability of environmentally degradable plastics.
These bioplastics such as HDPE nonetheless play an important role in greenhouse gas abatement, particularly when they are combusted for energy production.
