Bioplastics are a type of plastic that is made from renewable biomass, such as plants, rather than fossil fuels. They are intended to be more environmentally friendly throughout their whole life cycle, from manufacturing to disposal. Because of their ability to lessen environmental impact, bioplastics are described as polymers derived from biological sources and manufactured from renewable feedstocks or by a variation of bacteria. Bioplastics, as opposed to traditional plastics, which are generated from nonrenewable resources such as crude oil, have the potential to reduce carbon emissions and dependency on finite resources.
The bioplastics business is still in its early stages, accounting for only 1% of global plastic production in 2019. However, the growing public awareness of the toxicity of plastics, along with increased government control of plastic waste, has resulted in a boom of interest and investment in bioplastics, a sector that is predicted to grow by 10% to 14% between 2020 and 2025.
To produce bioplastic, polymers (complex chains of molecules) are extracted from biomass to be formed into plastic products. Biomass can include edible sources, wastes from various industry, and algae. Here are several types of bioplastics based on their composition and properties:
These bioplastics are primarily made from starch obtained from crops like corn, potatoes, or wheat. Starch is processed and blended with other biodegradable polymers to create materials with diverse applications.
PLA is a widely used bioplastic derived from fermented plant sugars, usually obtained from crops like corn, sugarcane, or cassava. PLA can be used for packaging, disposable items, and textiles.
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