Issue 04/2016
bioplasticsMAGAZINE_1604
bioplasticsMAGAZINE_1604
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
10 years ago<br />
Published in bioplastics MAGAZINE<br />
10 YEARS AGO<br />
new<br />
series<br />
“Basically, the information<br />
in the article is<br />
still true today. However,<br />
the bioplastics market<br />
has diversified and developed<br />
enormously over<br />
the past ten years with<br />
new innovative materials<br />
and a broader spectrum<br />
of end-of-life-options.<br />
Today, we define bioplastics<br />
as plastics that are<br />
bio-based, biodegradable,<br />
or both.”, says Constance<br />
Ißbrücker, Head<br />
of Environmental Affairs<br />
at European Bioplastics,<br />
the successor organization<br />
of the former IBAW.<br />
Basics<br />
Fig 1: Ideal closed loop life<br />
cycle of biodegradable products<br />
(courtesy of IBAW)<br />
Definition of “Bioplastics”<br />
To say it right from the beginning:<br />
A clear definition of “bioplastics”<br />
that would be agreed upon by all<br />
parties involved worldwide does<br />
not exist. Even though bioplastics<br />
magazine will try to make a first<br />
step by formulating a draft. Our<br />
readers’ comments on this draft<br />
are always welcome and may lead<br />
to an updated definition in one of<br />
the coming issues.<br />
The idea of bioplastics<br />
The basic idea behind bioplastics is taken from nature‘s<br />
cycle. Worldwide, more than 100 billion tonnes of organic<br />
material is generated every year by photosynthesis. Most<br />
of it is subsequently converted back into the starting products,<br />
carbon dioxide and water, by micro-organisms. This<br />
cycle is the role model for bioplastics, that are often made<br />
from renewable raw materials obtained from agricultural<br />
production. When biodegradable plastics (or certain other<br />
products in general) have served their purpose, they can be<br />
composted - a recycling method for which bioplastics are<br />
highly suited [1].<br />
This leads to a first try of a definition ...<br />
Bioplastics are man-made plastics (polymers) which can<br />
be processed by established plastics processing technologies<br />
such as injection moulding, blown or cast film extrusion,<br />
blow moulding, extrusion etc. and which are<br />
A) based on (annually) renewable raw materials (RRM) or<br />
B) biodegradable.<br />
Annually renewable raw materials are plants like maize/<br />
corn, rapeseed or soy from which, e.g. starch or edible oils<br />
can be harvested, which in turn can then be converted into<br />
thermoplastic polymers. The biodegradability is defined<br />
by different standards, in Europe, for example by the EN<br />
13432 standard. Products that are candidates to be classified<br />
as biodegradable or compostable have to be certified<br />
by independent entities and then receive an appropriate<br />
logo (see page X for an example)<br />
Both aspects of being based on renewable sources and<br />
being bio-degradable have been fulfilled for most of the<br />
so-called bioplastics that are already commercially available.<br />
However, there are also materials available that are,<br />
for example, biodegradable, but based on crude oil, or<br />
even blends or other combinations of polymers that are<br />
partly made of RRM and partly of crude oil. Other materials<br />
are based on (or even only partly based on) renewable<br />
sources, but are not biodegradable. These are for example<br />
polyamides (11 or 6.9) based on castor-oil or tallow, polyesters<br />
containing bio-based 1,3-propane-diol, polypropylene<br />
with wood fibre fillers, polyethylene-starch blends or<br />
polyurethanes with polyols based on sugar or fatty acids.<br />
Here the definition becomes difficult ...<br />
On one hand, in view of limited crude oil resources and<br />
rising prices, the aspect of sustainability, and therefore<br />
also the use of RRM, is becoming increasingly more important.<br />
So even materials that are only partly based on<br />
RRM can be a useful approach, especially when properties<br />
are achieved, that cannot be achieved with materials<br />
based 100% on RRM. But what should be the minimum<br />
percentage of RRM for such a material to be called a bioplastic?<br />
On the other hand, if a polymer is based on renewable<br />
sources, should it necessarily have to also be biodegradable?<br />
If such a material is incinerated, for example, with<br />
exploitation of the energy stored within it, there is a neutral<br />
effect on the climate. The amount of carbon dioxide<br />
emitted during incineration is less or equal to the CO 2 that<br />
was absorbed by the plant during its growth.<br />
A completely different group of materials are so-called<br />
oxo-degradable polymers, sometimes referred to as oxo-<br />
This series is to be continued. Topics in the coming<br />
issues are listed below. Bioplastics magazine encourages<br />
its readers to contribute their knowledge<br />
for the coming “Basics” features.<br />
Bio-degradation<br />
What is degradation? What about degradation in<br />
water, in soil, elsewhere?<br />
What is composting? What happens in an industrial<br />
composting plant, what happens in home<br />
composting?<br />
Do we have enough agricultural space<br />
to grow “bioplastics”<br />
How much space is needed to produce one kg or<br />
one tonne of bioplastics?<br />
What about the growing need for agricultural<br />
space for other bio-based products like bio-fuels<br />
and chemicals based on renewable sources?<br />
Further topics<br />
Definition of “sustainability”<br />
How is maize/corn converted into PLA?<br />
How do bacteria make PHA?<br />
How is PHA made from switchgrass?<br />
How is starch converted into plastics?<br />
etc.<br />
toxicity. The so-called “oxo-biodegradable” polyethylene<br />
(PE) products may fragment into very small particles after<br />
exposure to UV light or dry heat. PE is however still to a<br />
large extent resistant to biodegradation after fragmentation,<br />
and there is therefore potential of high persistency in<br />
the environment and bioaccumulation of liberated regulated<br />
metals and PE fragments in organisms due to the<br />
slow process. None of the oxo-degradable polymer products<br />
has ever been proved to fulfil the EN 13432 standard.<br />
They seem to be outside the range of the bioplastics class,<br />
although some of their protagonists may like to see them<br />
included [2].<br />
A lot of open questions. Any comments or opinions<br />
are welcome and should be addressed to<br />
Basics<br />
read the original from 2006:<br />
bit.ly/2ah4zES<br />
26 bioplastics [06/01] Vol. 1<br />
biodegradables. These materials, based on polyethylene<br />
(from fossile resources), but containing additives to promote<br />
degradation of the material, are a contentious issue,<br />
as they pose several concerns regarding safety and eco-<br />
editor@bioplasticsmagazine.com.<br />
References:<br />
[1] www.ibaw.org<br />
[2] Position paper on “Degradable” PE Shopping Bags,<br />
IBAW, Berlin, published June 6, 2005<br />
bioplastics [06/01] Vol. 1 27<br />
www.co2-chemistry.eu<br />
Leading Event on Carbon Capture<br />
and Utilization in <strong>2016</strong><br />
6 – 7 December <strong>2016</strong>, Cologne (Germany)<br />
1 st Day (6 December <strong>2016</strong>):<br />
Political Framework & Visions<br />
• Policy & Visions<br />
• Artificial Photosynthesis<br />
& H 2<br />
Generation<br />
2 nd Day (7 December <strong>2016</strong>):<br />
Chemicals & Energy from CO 2<br />
• Chemicals & Polymers<br />
• CO 2<br />
-based Fuels<br />
Conference Team<br />
Achim Raschka<br />
Programme<br />
+49 (0)2233 4814-51<br />
achim.raschka@nova-institut.de<br />
For the 5 th year in a row, the conference “Carbon Dioxide<br />
as Feedstock for Fuels, Chemistry and Polymers” will<br />
take place. More than 200 participants from the leading<br />
industrial and academic players in CO 2<br />
utilization are<br />
expected to attend the conference and share their recent<br />
success stories, as well as new ideas and products in<br />
realization.<br />
Attending this conference will be invaluable for businessmen<br />
and academics who wish to get a full picture of how this<br />
new and exciting scenario is unfolding, as well as providing<br />
an opportunity to meet the right business or academic<br />
partners for future alliances.<br />
20% Early Bird<br />
Discount until<br />
15 August <strong>2016</strong>.<br />
Code: earlybird16<br />
Preliminary<br />
programme<br />
now online!<br />
More information at www.co2-chemistry.eu<br />
Dominik Vogt<br />
Conference Manager<br />
+49 (0)2233 4814-49<br />
dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de<br />
Venue<br />
Maternushaus<br />
Kardinal-Frings-Str. 1<br />
50668 Cologne<br />
www.maternushaus.de<br />
Organiser<br />
nova-Institut GmbH<br />
Chemiepark Knapsack<br />
Industriestraße 300<br />
50354 Hürth, Germany<br />
44 bioplastics MAGAZINE [<strong>04</strong>/16] Vol. 11