Bioplastics

Sugarcane

What differentiates bioplastics from conventional plastics?

The term bioplastics encompasses a whole family of materials which are biobased, biodegradable, or both.

Biobased means that a significant proportion of the carbon in the bioplastic product comes from renewable raw materials. There are two major advantages of biobased plastic products compared to their conventional versions: they save fossil resources and reduce GHG-emissions.

Biodegradable means that the bioplastic products degrade under specific conditions. This add on property of certain types of bioplastics offers additional ways for recovery at the end of a product’s life. Of course, materials and products can feature both properties. They then offer all the benefits and additional options outlined.

In short: bioplastics are a family of materials that are biobased, biodegradable, or both. Conventional plastics do not have these qualities.

Where to find bioplastics?

Bioplastics already play a central role in the fields of packaging, agriculture, gastronomy, consumer electronics and automotive to name a few.

Bioplastic materials have long been used to manufacture short-lived materials and products, such as mulch films, catering products, packaging and waste bags. However, as technology develops, more and more durable applications such as keyboard elements, mobile phone covers or certain components in cars are manufactured in larger quantities.

Why use bioplastics instead of plastics?

Bioplastics drive the evolution of plastics. With their mentioned add-on qualities they offer new ways of recovery and recycling and can help to reduce the impact on the environment wherever possible.