Introduction of biopolymers and biomaterials
Book Biomaterials, Chapter Introduction (#BP001)
A biopolymer (also called bioplastics) is a polymer or plastic material that is either bio-based, biodegradable or has both properties.
A biomaterial is a polymer significantly blended with biomass, typically in its most direct form — such as agricultural residues — to enhance environmental sustainability, improve material properties, and reduce costs. A biomaterial is always at least partly bio-based and can be either durable or biodegradable.
Understanding Key Terms
Bio-based: Derived from renewable biological sources like plants, rather than from fossil fuels.
Biodegradable: Capable of breaking down naturally into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass under conditions found in nature, home compost systems, or industrial composting facilities.
Durable: Materials designed to be long-lasting and resistant to degradation, essential when products need to maintain integrity over time.
Clarifying Misconceptions
Bio-based doesn’t necessarily mean biodegradable. For example, a biopolymer can be bio-based but durable, meaning it doesn't break down easily, like traditional materials such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE).
Conversely, biodegradable doesn’t automatically mean bio-based — some biodegradable materials, like PBAT, are fully derived from fossil sources but still break down in nature under the right conditions.
Bio-based Biopolymers and Biomaterials
A bio-based biopolymer is made mostly or entirely from biomass. Most biopolymers currently available come from 1st generation biomass — resources derived from food crops like corn or sugarcane. However, the future of biopolymers lies in 2nd generation biomass — non-food sources like agricultural waste (e.g., rice husk, coffee husk, bagasse).
Blending 2nd generation biomass into biopolymers, without complex processing, creates bio-based biomaterials with a significantly lower carbon footprint. In life cycle assessments (LCA), 2nd generation biomass can be considered for its biogenic carbon content only, with the energy and emissions for its production accounted for with the primary crop, as the biomass is treated as a residue.
Examples of durable, bio-based biopolymers include bio-PP and bio-PE, while Natureblend grades are another key example. Partly bio-based and durable biomaterials include Spectadur and Organoblend grades.
Biodegradable Biopolymers and Biomaterials
Biodegradable biopolymers and biomaterials break down through biological processes, converting into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. This biodegradability can occur in nature, home composting, or industrial composting facilities, depending on the material's formulation. The conditions required for biodegradation — such as temperature, humidity, and time — are critical. Materials should always be labeled appropriately for the environments in which they can biodegrade.
Examples of biodegradable, fossil-based biopolymers include PBAT and biomaterials like Spectabio T grades. Examples of biopolymers that are both bio-based and biodegradable include PLA, bioPBS, TPS, Spectabio L/B and Bioblend L/B grades.
The Advantages of Biopolymers and Biomaterials
Switching from traditional plastics to biopolymers and biomaterials offers several environmental benefits, especially when incorporating high levels of 2nd generation biomass into biomaterials:
Reduced reliance on fossil fuels: Bio-based materials don’t add additional fossil-based carbon to the atmosphere.
Decreased plastic pollution: Biodegradable materials naturally break down in the environment, reducing long-term pollution.
Sequestration of biogenic carbon: Bio-based polymers store carbon more permanently, preventing it from being rapidly released back into the atmosphere.
Valorization of agricultural residues: Biomaterials make productive use of agricultural waste, providing farmers with an additional income stream while reducing waste disposal through landfilling or burning.
The Challenges
Despite their advantages, biopolymers and biomaterials still face obstacles due to current infrastructure and knowledge gaps:
Recycling issues: Many recycling facilities are not yet equipped to detect and process biopolymers, which may contaminate traditional plastic recycling streams.
Consumer confusion: Consumers may have difficulty distinguishing traditional plastics from biopolymers and biomaterials, leading to incorrect disposal.
Higher costs: Biopolymers tend to be more expensive, leading to higher product and packaging costs.
Conclusion
Biopolymers and biomaterials are key to building a nature-positive future. These materials reduce pollution, sequester carbon, and offer sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics without leaving harmful micro-particles behind. However, to fully unlock their potential, standards and regulations need to evolve— becoming more pragmatic, clear, and supportive of biopolymer and biomaterial innovation.
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