Finding sustainable bio-based alternatives to petrochemical plastics

Among the alternatives to petrochemical plastics, bio-based plastics are gaining popularity.

Primarily used in packaging products, these bio-based plastics currently account for less than 1% of global plastic production.

Bioplastics are plastics made with less petroleum, using non-fossil agricultural products such as bagasse, corn or wheat starch.

Biodegradable and compostable food wraps are being used in Mexico. (Photo: barrons.com).

By European definition, bioplastics are polymers of biological origin and are biodegradable, both in the natural environment and under industrial conditions. The minimum requirement to be considered bio-based is 50%, but this will increase to 60% next year.

Labs around the world continue to come up with new, naturally-derived plastics. French chemical company Arkema is developing a castor oil-based bioplastic called PBAT , which is used in sports shoes and car interiors. A Swiss brand and its Taiwanese partners are also working on Bananatex, a biodegradable fabric made from banana leaves.

However, not all bioplastics are completely biodegradable in natural conditions. Some plastics such as PLA (polylactic acid) need to be industrially composted at temperatures between 35 and 60 degrees Celsius.

According to the Heinrich Boll Foundation, most bioplastics are not fully biodegradable or compostable. Therefore, Nathalie Gontard, research director at the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, believes that bioplastics do not provide real benefits because they do not decompose naturally but break down into micro- and nano-plastics.

Ms. Gontard highlighted the ambiguity surrounding the term 'biodegradable ,' noting that definitions vary widely. Some materials are considered biodegradable if they break down within a few months or years, while others may take longer.

_{While bio-based plastics could reduce CO 2} emissions in the plastics industry, experts warn that increased demand for agricultural land to grow raw materials could lead to land-use change or deforestation, which in turn risks increasing CO ₂ emissions .

Pauline Debrabandere from the NGO Zero Waste stressed that bioplastic production shifts the burden onto agricultural land, which is mainly used for food production.