Issue 04/2016

10 years ago
Published in bioplastics MAGAZINE
10 YEARS AGO
new
series
“Basically, the information
in the article is
still true today. However,
the bioplastics market
has diversified and developed
enormously over
the past ten years with
new innovative materials
and a broader spectrum
of end-of-life-options.
Today, we define bioplastics
as plastics that are
bio-based, biodegradable,
or both.”, says Constance
Ißbrücker, Head
of Environmental Affairs
at European Bioplastics,
the successor organization
of the former IBAW.
Basics
Fig 1: Ideal closed loop life
cycle of biodegradable products
(courtesy of IBAW)
Definition of “Bioplastics”
To say it right from the beginning:
A clear definition of “bioplastics”
that would be agreed upon by all
parties involved worldwide does
not exist. Even though bioplastics
magazine will try to make a first
step by formulating a draft. Our
readers’ comments on this draft
are always welcome and may lead
to an updated definition in one of
the coming issues.
The idea of bioplastics
The basic idea behind bioplastics is taken from nature‘s
cycle. Worldwide, more than 100 billion tonnes of organic
material is generated every year by photosynthesis. Most
of it is subsequently converted back into the starting products,
carbon dioxide and water, by micro-organisms. This
cycle is the role model for bioplastics, that are often made
from renewable raw materials obtained from agricultural
production. When biodegradable plastics (or certain other
products in general) have served their purpose, they can be
composted - a recycling method for which bioplastics are
highly suited [1].
This leads to a first try of a definition ...
Bioplastics are man-made plastics (polymers) which can
be processed by established plastics processing technologies
such as injection moulding, blown or cast film extrusion,
blow moulding, extrusion etc. and which are
A) based on (annually) renewable raw materials (RRM) or
B) biodegradable.
Annually renewable raw materials are plants like maize/
corn, rapeseed or soy from which, e.g. starch or edible oils
can be harvested, which in turn can then be converted into
thermoplastic polymers. The biodegradability is defined
by different standards, in Europe, for example by the EN
13432 standard. Products that are candidates to be classified
as biodegradable or compostable have to be certified
by independent entities and then receive an appropriate
logo (see page X for an example)
Both aspects of being based on renewable sources and
being bio-degradable have been fulfilled for most of the
so-called bioplastics that are already commercially available.
However, there are also materials available that are,
for example, biodegradable, but based on crude oil, or
even blends or other combinations of polymers that are
partly made of RRM and partly of crude oil. Other materials
are based on (or even only partly based on) renewable
sources, but are not biodegradable. These are for example
polyamides (11 or 6.9) based on castor-oil or tallow, polyesters
containing bio-based 1,3-propane-diol, polypropylene
with wood fibre fillers, polyethylene-starch blends or
polyurethanes with polyols based on sugar or fatty acids.
Here the definition becomes difficult ...
On one hand, in view of limited crude oil resources and
rising prices, the aspect of sustainability, and therefore
also the use of RRM, is becoming increasingly more important.
So even materials that are only partly based on
RRM can be a useful approach, especially when properties
are achieved, that cannot be achieved with materials
based 100% on RRM. But what should be the minimum
percentage of RRM for such a material to be called a bioplastic?
On the other hand, if a polymer is based on renewable
sources, should it necessarily have to also be biodegradable?
If such a material is incinerated, for example, with
exploitation of the energy stored within it, there is a neutral
effect on the climate. The amount of carbon dioxide
emitted during incineration is less or equal to the CO 2 that
was absorbed by the plant during its growth.
A completely different group of materials are so-called
oxo-degradable polymers, sometimes referred to as oxo-
This series is to be continued. Topics in the coming
issues are listed below. Bioplastics magazine encourages
its readers to contribute their knowledge
for the coming “Basics” features.
Bio-degradation
What is degradation? What about degradation in
water, in soil, elsewhere?
What is composting? What happens in an industrial
composting plant, what happens in home
composting?
Do we have enough agricultural space
to grow “bioplastics”
How much space is needed to produce one kg or
one tonne of bioplastics?
What about the growing need for agricultural
space for other bio-based products like bio-fuels
and chemicals based on renewable sources?
Further topics
Definition of “sustainability”
How is maize/corn converted into PLA?
How do bacteria make PHA?
How is PHA made from switchgrass?
How is starch converted into plastics?
etc.
toxicity. The so-called “oxo-biodegradable” polyethylene
(PE) products may fragment into very small particles after
exposure to UV light or dry heat. PE is however still to a
large extent resistant to biodegradation after fragmentation,
and there is therefore potential of high persistency in
the environment and bioaccumulation of liberated regulated
metals and PE fragments in organisms due to the
slow process. None of the oxo-degradable polymer products
has ever been proved to fulfil the EN 13432 standard.
They seem to be outside the range of the bioplastics class,
although some of their protagonists may like to see them
included [2].
A lot of open questions. Any comments or opinions
are welcome and should be addressed to
Basics
read the original from 2006:
bit.ly/2ah4zES
26 bioplastics [06/01] Vol. 1
biodegradables. These materials, based on polyethylene
(from fossile resources), but containing additives to promote
degradation of the material, are a contentious issue,
as they pose several concerns regarding safety and eco-
editor@bioplasticsmagazine.com.
References:
[1] www.ibaw.org
[2] Position paper on “Degradable” PE Shopping Bags,
IBAW, Berlin, published June 6, 2005
bioplastics [06/01] Vol. 1 27
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44 bioplastics MAGAZINE [04/16] Vol. 11