Schematic of the circular economy with biological and technical (recycling) cycle. Source: IDTechEx
Bioplastics are gaining significant attention as sustainable alternatives to petrochemical-based plastics. Derived from renewable, biobased feedstocks, these materials are seen as a key solution in the fight against environmental degradation caused by conventional plastics. As the world grapples with plastic waste, which is set to double by 2050, recycling alone cannot meet the growing demand for plastic feedstocks. This is where bioplastics come into play, offering a potential solution to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and minimize the environmental footprint. Some of these bioplastics can be considered as biodegradable. How is this property being utilized, and can biodegradable bioplastics meet their promise?
In IDTechEx’s latest market research report on the topic, “Bioplastics 2025-2035: Technology, Market, Players, and Forecasts”, the full spectrum of plastics derived from biobased feedstocks, including biodegradable plastics, such as poly-lactic acids (PLAs) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs).
Biodegradable bioplastics
Bioplastics come in a variety of forms, some of which are designed as direct replacements for conventional plastics such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These “drop-in” bioplastics can be used directly in existing manufacturing processes with minimal adjustments, which makes them appealing to industries looking for seamless transitions to more sustainable materials. The main advantage of these bioplastics is their ability to integrate into the current plastic infrastructure while offering reduced environmental impacts due to their biobased origin.
On the other hand, there are bioplastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) that are not as easily interchangeable with traditional plastics. These materials often require modifications or blending with other polymers to improve their properties for specific applications. For instance, PLA has lower heat resistance compared to petrochemical-based plastics, limiting its use in high-temperature applications. Similarly, PHAs exhibit different mechanical properties that restrict their use in industries accustomed to the strength and flexibility of conventional plastics. In most cases, bioplastics like PLA and PHAs are combined with copolymers to enhance their mechanical performance, durability, and versatility. However, it is the property of biodegradability that has garnered a lot of attention, offering a solution to the plastic waste problem: easy disposal.
Biodegradability is in demand
Biodegradable bioplastics have seen increased interest, particularly for single-use applications like packaging. With the growing global awareness of plastic pollution, there is a growing demand for materials that can decompose under natural conditions. Biodegradable bioplastics, such as PLA and PHA, have become popular choices in this regard. They can break down into organic components like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, thereby reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. This demand has been driven by a range of new legislation cracking down on single-use plastic. China, for example, has exempted biodegradable bioplastics from their ban on single-use plastic, suggesting that end-of-life issues of these materials are not the same as other plastics.
However, the picture is less clear. To biodegrade well, these bioplastics need certain conditions in their environment. If they end up in a landfill in an anaerobic environment, they will not degrade at all. Generally, these plastics are designed to be composted in industrial composting environments, although some are home compostable depending on the polymer composition and format. Consumers are often left unclear about the potential impact of improper disposal of these items. With the very limited global capacity of industrial compositing, it is likely that the potential advantages of biodegradability will not be fully realized.
Bio-composites aim to overcome bioplastics limitations
One of the ways the industry is addressing the limitations of bioplastics is through the development of bioplastic bio-composites. These materials combine bioplastics with biobased fillers, such as natural fibers derived from wood pulp, wood flour, and cotton. By incorporating these fibers into the polymer matrix during the resin extrusion process, manufacturers can enhance the strength and durability of the resulting material, making it suitable for a wider range of applications. These materials improve the mechanical properties of the polymers while keeping the bioplastic biodegradable.
However, this process is not without its challenges. High extrusion temperatures can degrade the natural fibers, which affects the overall quality of the bio-composites. At the same time, ensuring adequate mixing of the fibers and the polymer is critical to achieving consistent material properties. To address these challenges, companies like Farrell Pomini have been developing new resin extruders specifically designed to handle biocomposites. These extruders are capable of maintaining the integrity of the natural fibers during processing while ensuring even distribution throughout the polymer matrix.
Biocomposites are versatile and their material properties can be controlled by adjusting the proportion of filler material and biopolymers. Their suitability for performance applications has not yet been fully explored. One of the properties of these materials that can be enhanced is their biodegradability. Biodegradability is affected by the density of biobased filler, the presence of which can speed up the breakdown of thicker and more bulky plastic applications such as cutlery.
Overall, the gap between the promise and delivery of biodegradable bioplastics is still significant. However, alongside the development of better infrastructure for composting these materials, innovations such as biobased composites may produce materials better suited to overcome these challenges.
Bioplastics market forecast
IDTechEx is showcasing its newest and most extensive market report yet on bioplastics entitled “Bioplastics 2025-2035: Technology, Market, Players, and Forecasts”. The report looks to analyze the effect of regulations on bioplastics and more by covering in depth the bioplastics market, including independent analysis of technology developments and trends, plant capacities, industry news, company landscapes, market information, partnership information, and segmented polymer production forecasts.
For more information on this report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Bioplastics.
For the full portfolio of sustainability research available from IDTechEx, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/Sustainability.