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Bio-Plastics

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Bio-plastics


Explanation of the term “bio-plastics”

Plastics have changed the world. The polymer all-rounders have led to completely new products, have driven technological progress like no other material and opened up new perspectives for engineers to realize their ideas. Standard plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (| abbreviation: PVC), polypropylene (| abbreviation: PP) or polyethylene (| abbreviation: PE) have been produced for more than 50 years. Compared to this, “bio-plastics” are still very young.

The term “bio-plastics” is ambiguous. On the one hand, it is often used to describe plastics that are produced from renewable raw materials (bio-based plastics), on the other hand it is often used as a synonym for biodegradable plastics. Both are independent of each other. A plastic made from renewable raw materials does not necessarily have to be biodegradable, but it is quite possible that a biodegradable plastic was made from crude oil. No matter what is meant by bio-plastic means, it is never synonymous for environmental benefits.

The raw material basis of “bio-plastics”

The plastics industry uses renewable raw materials where they offer economic and technical advantages. Currently, less than one percent of the total plastics consumption is based on renewable raw materials. The market for bio-based and biodegradable plastics in particular is expected to grow, not only because a sustainable and circular bioeconomy is a political priority for the European Union. According to a market evaluation undertaken by European Bioplastic e.V. the global bioplastics production capacity is set to increase from around 2.11 million tonnes in 2019 to approximately 2.43 million tonnes in 2024. Today, bio-plastics are based primarily on vegetable starch, polylactic acid and cellulose. The greatest potential for such materials currently lies in the segment of natural fiber-reinforced plastics for automobiles and construction products. They also play a role in the packaging industry.

Possible applications of “bio-plastics“

Biodegradable plastics are always used when their degradability offers a specific advantage. In medicine, for example, the use of resorbable implants can avoid the need for second operations. In agriculture, degradable mulch films initially promote plant growth and can be easily ploughed under after use. Biodegradable plastics can be recycled or used to generate energy at the end of their life, just like conventional plastics. However, it should be noted that bio-plastics that can biodegrade under standard environmental conditions are undesirable in the recycling cycle as they contribute to the potential formation of holes in blends with other plastics as a result of biodegradation. Composting and fermentation are also possible. The recycling mix that is the most ecologically efficient must be decided on a case-by-case basis for the specific waste stream. By the way, biodegradable plastics do not offer a solution to the problem of littering the landscape by carelessly throwing away used products. Biodegradable plastics only decompose under specially defined conditions. Products made from compostable materials (DIN EN 13432), for example, take weeks to decompose. Compostable materials decompose favourably in industrial composting plants into water, CO2 and biomass and do not leave behind any hazardous micro-components.

Rerferences

  • Lindner, S.: 2. Polymerinnovationstag "Kunststofftechnologien", 15. Mai 2008, Schkopau
  • DIN EN 13432 (2000-12): Packaging – Requirements for Packaging Recoverable through Composting and Biodegradation – Test Scheme and Evaluation Criteria for the Final Acceptance of Packaging. Corrigendum 2 (2007-10)
  • DIN EN 14806 (2005-10): Packaging – Preliminary Evaluation of the Disintegration of Packaging Materials under simulated Composting Conditions (withdrawn; replaced by DIN EN ISO 20200)
  • DIN EN ISO 20200 (2023-11): Plastics –Determination of the Degree of Disintegration of Plastic Materials under Composting Conditions in a Laboratory-Scale Test

Weblinks

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