Dear Dariusz,

Nice question(s) and complex subject, thus different aspects are for discussion!

a) Firstly, from my point of view, the actual interest for production of biomaterials, such as biopolymers, based on natural/renewables (re)sources will continue to increase. Moreover, the extraordinary attention for new bio-alternatives will be connected to many factors including consumer demand for more environmentally sustainable products, development of biobased feedstocks, and the cumulative restrictions for the use of polymers with high “carbon footprint” of petrochemical origin, particularly in applications such as packaging, automotive, electrical, and electronics industry.

b) The rapid emergence of bioplastics is one of the major stories of the last decades, while packaging is a main field of application. Once billed as biodegradable plastics, the theme for “renewably” plastics has shifted in the recent years to sequestration of CO2 and to sustainability.

c) Here is a delicate subject for discussion “packaging produced from food, e.g. from cereals”.

I’m assuming that will be further constraints. Nowadays, other bio-based sources such as fermentable sugars from non-food cellulosic biomass, agricultural wastes, non-food crops (e.g. switchgrass), etc., are considered as further alternatives allowing carbon neutral cycles. Accordingly, new technological progress in production of biopolymers/bioplastics could be expected from the utilization and diversification of feedstocks, other than agricultural foods (e.g. instead of corn-derived dextrose).

d) Utilization of paper in packaging is an old & actual good solution to partially reduce the utilization of polymers produced from petrochemical resources (PE, PP, PET, others). On the other hand, in many applications requiring specific properties (barrier to gas and water, optical transparency, mechanical strength, etc.) the utilization of biopolymers will be a further key-direction for the development of packaging materials tailored with specific end-use properties.

e) Many projects realized by our R&D group are devoted to the production of new biomaterials/biopolymers (such as biopolyesters, e.g. polylactide) especially designed for packaging. The market for biodegradable polymers used in packaging is mounting every year, thus, important demands can be expected for those applications where biodegradability offers a clear advantage for the customers and the environment. Even that a generally recognised definition of the concept "biopolymers" does not exist, we will accept that they are mainly as follows: (a) based on renewable resources and biodegradable; (b) based on renewable resources but not biodegradable; (c) based on fossil resources and biodegradable. Bioplastics such as polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermoplastic starch, bio-polyethylene, bio-polyamides, etc., are polymers that are made from renewable resources. Some bioplastics are also biodegradable (e.g. bio-based PLA, non-renewable polyesters such as PCL (polycaprolactone)).

f) The focus has shifted to the total “carbon footprint”, and the bio-based polymers not only can replace existing polymers in various sectors but can also provide combinations of properties for new applications. Unfortunately, for certain requests the biopolymers cannot be fully competitive with the conventional materials/thermoplastics since some of their properties are too weak. However, the development of special formulations of biopolymers (the case of PLA) is clearly in its early stages compared to the conventional polymers.

g) Connected to packaging, the level of performances, price, possibility of recyclability, environmental protection, other factors, will be decisive in selection of materials. Finally, the subject is remaining for further discussion…

Good luck in your study and best regards,

Marius

Biologically derived plastic polymers, such as PCL, PLA, PLGA, Cellophane, , plastarch material, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate etc. are the best candidates. But they are still costlier than conventional materials.

• Polycaprolactone
• Zein, shellac – biologically derived coating materials

Dear Dariusz,

Nice question(s) and complex subject, thus different aspects are for discussion!

a) Firstly, from my point of view, the actual interest for production of biomaterials, such as biopolymers, based on natural/renewables (re)sources will continue to increase. Moreover, the extraordinary attention for new bio-alternatives will be connected to many factors including consumer demand for more environmentally sustainable products, development of biobased feedstocks, and the cumulative restrictions for the use of polymers with high “carbon footprint” of petrochemical origin, particularly in applications such as packaging, automotive, electrical, and electronics industry.

b) The rapid emergence of bioplastics is one of the major stories of the last decades, while packaging is a main field of application. Once billed as biodegradable plastics, the theme for “renewably” plastics has shifted in the recent years to sequestration of CO2 and to sustainability.

c) Here is a delicate subject for discussion “packaging produced from food, e.g. from cereals”.

I’m assuming that will be further constraints. Nowadays, other bio-based sources such as fermentable sugars from non-food cellulosic biomass, agricultural wastes, non-food crops (e.g. switchgrass), etc., are considered as further alternatives allowing carbon neutral cycles. Accordingly, new technological progress in production of biopolymers/bioplastics could be expected from the utilization and diversification of feedstocks, other than agricultural foods (e.g. instead of corn-derived dextrose).

d) Utilization of paper in packaging is an old & actual good solution to partially reduce the utilization of polymers produced from petrochemical resources (PE, PP, PET, others). On the other hand, in many applications requiring specific properties (barrier to gas and water, optical transparency, mechanical strength, etc.) the utilization of biopolymers will be a further key-direction for the development of packaging materials tailored with specific end-use properties.

e) Many projects realized by our R&D group are devoted to the production of new biomaterials/biopolymers (such as biopolyesters, e.g. polylactide) especially designed for packaging. The market for biodegradable polymers used in packaging is mounting every year, thus, important demands can be expected for those applications where biodegradability offers a clear advantage for the customers and the environment. Even that a generally recognised definition of the concept "biopolymers" does not exist, we will accept that they are mainly as follows: (a) based on renewable resources and biodegradable; (b) based on renewable resources but not biodegradable; (c) based on fossil resources and biodegradable. Bioplastics such as polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermoplastic starch, bio-polyethylene, bio-polyamides, etc., are polymers that are made from renewable resources. Some bioplastics are also biodegradable (e.g. bio-based PLA, non-renewable polyesters such as PCL (polycaprolactone)).

f) The focus has shifted to the total “carbon footprint”, and the bio-based polymers not only can replace existing polymers in various sectors but can also provide combinations of properties for new applications. Unfortunately, for certain requests the biopolymers cannot be fully competitive with the conventional materials/thermoplastics since some of their properties are too weak. However, the development of special formulations of biopolymers (the case of PLA) is clearly in its early stages compared to the conventional polymers.

g) Connected to packaging, the level of performances, price, possibility of recyclability, environmental protection, other factors, will be decisive in selection of materials. Finally, the subject is remaining for further discussion…

Good luck in your study and best regards,

Marius

We must be very rigourous for defining biodegradability as it depends on many parameters relativee to the materials but also to the degradation conditions.

There are many points that should be taken into consideration. For example, which degradation products are generated? although in most of the cited polymers are polyesters, usually the residues like acids and others.

1. Bio - based plastics which is derived from agricultural biomass and processed and it should be degradable. which can be applied in packaging sector

Example : A replacement for polystyrene by a bio-based plastic made of mushroom

https://mushroompackaging.com/

2. Any bio-plastics , which can be compostable as per norms of EN 13432 or ASTM D6400.

3. While manufacturing bio-plastics, the use of synthetic additives (plasticizers , fillers, colorants etc) should be avoided to minimize the migration of their derivatives which are threat to environment.

4. The cost of production should be lesser than the synthetic plastic production

in the olden days glass bottles, silver utensil and cloth covers/bags used to carry the goods. why we cannot follow that to avoid such complications ?

Dear Dariusz,

in Italy some national regulations forced the use of shopping bags made of bio-plastics (moreover mater-bi), replacing PE bags, to avoid their spread in environment. The source is starch and this kind of bio-plastic is biodegradable and compostable in accordance with EN 13432.

Dear Md. Abdur Rahman, Aleš Kralj

Thank you very much and best regards, Have a nice day,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

Dear Dariusz, just to add to the discussion. I think it worth also mentioning the utilization of natural polymers from the food industry side-stream, such as chitin/chitosan from the seafood industry and keratin from the poultry industry. Their most advantageous feature is that they do not take up food production (calories), and they are in fact treated as industrial residues with disposal problems (thus inherently cheap). Although in their neat form they have performance limitations, in association with other polymers they produce quite surprising results, and their abundance easily allows them to be used with/as commodities. I recently wrote a review on the associations of keratin with other polymers (Polymers 2020, 12(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010032) and got surprised by the amount of interesting research output on the subject. However, as accurately mentioned previously by Stephane Bruzaud, they will contribute to sustainable production and biopolymer(blend) production not necessarily to biodegradable materials. Kind regards,

Processed Plant cellulose and Chitosan are front runners.

Dear Ricardo Keitel Donato,

Yes, polymers that are a by-product of the production processes of certain food products are an important, potentially very large and promising source of material for the production of biodegradable plastic substitutes that can be used in the production of various types of packaging. Thank you very much for the information you sent and the link to an interesting publication that describes these issues.

Best regards,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

Dear Omkar S. Kushwaha,

Thank you for participating in the discussion and adding an important point to our discussion that an important source of biodegradable materials is processed plant cellulose and chitosan.

Best regards,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

Hi all,

Pollution by plastics is made at first by lack of knowledge, education , lot people think they are degradable as natural goods.

Plastics must be recycled , therefore collected, there is full of energy inside to recover initial products (gazes).

The main advantage is the lightness , and now we go even further to foams.

Cheers.

Sunflower Hulls. Like olive seeds, the husks of sunflower seeds used for oil production is a waste product also being used to created bioplastics. And luckily, they're in near endless supply.

The German start-up Golden Compound has created a unique Sustainable Sunflower Plastic Compound bioplastic – referred to as S²PC. It's reinforced with sunflower hulls, which they claim are 100% recyclable.

The S²PC bioplastic is being moulded into everything from office furniture to recyclable transport and storage boxes and crates.

Golden Compound also produces a "green" bioplastic that is 100% biodegradable, GMO-free and can be fully composted at home. Products include award-winning, world-first biodegradable coffee capsules, plant pots and coffee mugs.

The German start-up attributes the success of its bioplastics to performance. "In the end, the only reason people will be willing to switch, is if it works," Marcel Dartée, General Manager at Golden Compound, told the Plastic Today trade publication.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ecowatch.com/amp/5-sustainable-alternatives-to-plastics-2645932261

Olive Pits. Countries that produce a lot of olive oil have a byproduct that can be used for plastic: olive pits. A Turkish startup called Biolive began creating a range of began creating a range of bioplastic granules created from olive seeds that result in bio-based, partially biodegradable products that can decompose in a year.

The active ingredient oleuropein found in olive seeds is an antioxidant that extends the life of the bioplastic while also hastening composting of the material into fertilizer within a year.

And since Biolive's granules act like fossil fuel-based plastics, plastic producers can simply substitute the conventional granules without disrupting the production cycle for industrial products and food packaging.

Biolive claims that by utilizing olive oil waste, production costs are reduced by up to 90% in relation to some existing bioplastics. This is important says founder Duygu Yilmaz, since starch-based bioplastics made from corn are often more expensive than petroleum-based plastics are therefore not a viable alternative.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ecowatch.com/amp/5-sustainable-alternatives-to-plastics-2645932261

Biodegradable plastics with functionalities and processabilities comparable to traditional petrochemical-based plastic have been developed for packaging applications. Typically, these are made from renewable raw materials such as starch or cellulose. Interest in biodegradable plastic packaging arises primarily from their use of renewable raw materials (crops instead of crude oil) and end-of-life waste management by composting or anaerobic digestion to reduce landfilling. The disposal of packaging materials is particularly significant in view of the recent focus on waste generation and management as important environmental aspects of present-day society

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873018/

Biodegradable polymers (BDPs) or biodegradable plastics refer to polymeric materials that are ‘capable of undergoing decomposition into carbon dioxide, methane, water, inorganic compounds, or biomass in which the predominant mechanism is the enzymatic action of microorganisms, that can be measured by standardized tests, in a specified period of time, reflecting available disposal condition’ (ASTM standard D6813). A subset of BDPs may also be compostable with specific reference to their biodegradation in a compost system, and these must demonstrate that they are ‘capable of undergoing biological decomposition in a compost site as part of an available program, such that the plastic is not visually distinguishable and breaks down to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds and biomass, at a rate consistent with known compostable materials (e.g. cellulose)’ (ASTM standard D996, also see D6400). Initial steps may involve abiotic (thermal, photo) and biotic processes to degrade the polymer, under suitable conditions, to a low-molecular weight species. However, the resultant breakdown fragments must be completely used by the micro-organisms; otherwise there is the potential for environmental and health consequences. The products of an industrial composting process (typically 12 weeks with an elevated temperature phase over 50°C) must meet quality criteria such as heavy metal (regulated) content, ecotoxicity and lack of obvious distinguishable polymer residues.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873018/

Dear Cristo Bou, Yes, public information campaigns should be carried out on a larger scale to make citizens aware of the need to segregate and recycle plastic waste.

Best regards,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

Dear Chinaza Godswill Awuchi, Thank you very much for the rich, substantive information and explanations on the topic biodegradable materials. Very interesting considerations. A very inspiring and interesting answer. Thank you for the information provided and the link to interesting data in the above-mentioned issues. This discussion confirms the importance of the above-mentioned issues and the legitimacy of developing scientific research on the subject biodegradable materials in the future by plastic.

In my opinion, the issue of biodegradable materials is an important factor in the implementation of the principles of sustainable development into economic processes and an important determinant of the pro-ecological transformation process of the traditional brown economy to a sustainable green economy / circular economy. I am glad that the discussion is taking place and developing on this topic.

Thank you very much and best regards, Have a nice day

Dariusz Prokopowicz

Dariusz Prokopowicz Chinaza Godswill Awuchi

Good to see the healthy discussion on this highly relevant question. There are naturally many alternative materials.

Dariusz Prokopowicz Chinaza Godswill Awuchi

Good to see the healthy discussion on this highly relevant question. There are naturally many alternative materials.

Dear Omkar S. Kushwaha, Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I agree that there are many alternative materials that need to be developed in industrial applications as biodegradable substitutes to plastic. Greetings,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

Dear Dariusz,

look at this:

https://www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/news/meldungen/20191017Inovyn-launches-first-commercially-available-grade-of-bio-attributed-PVC-.php

PVC from renewable feedstock from biomass not interfering with food chain. A mature material usually from fossils feedstocks and sodium chloride, can now be produced from renewable resources. This is another aspect about your question. Not only you have to produce biodegradable plastics, so you can easily have disposable materials for short life articles, but you also need to produce durable plastics for long lasting articles like windows profiles or U PVC pipes. It’s better a durable plastic coming from renewable feedstock, like biogas, or just other plastics. I think efforts should be made even from this side sparing natural resources, like wood, and reducing the oil consume. Even certain additives in PVC compounds can come from natural resources like plasticizers or some metal soaps used as stabilizers. I think this is a new world to be explored.

Gianluca

Dear Gianluca Sarti, Thank you very much for the link provided to the article on this important issue of biodegradable materials that are substitutes for plastic. Best wishes,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

The need for development and technological improvement of waste segregation and the urgent need to increase the scale of recycling, including the recycling of plastic waste, has been discussed for many years in various communities of researchers, scientists, etc. Why, then, is the scale of in packaging but also in products largely or entirely made of plastics is still so low?

Please reply

Best regards,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

Hi dear Dariusz,

We develop bio plastics and other recycled partially polymers with good properties, but as you know , to catalyze these reactions depends highly of the purity of the base feed stock, even gazes are not so pure, there is one major difficulty to obtain resistant polymers, and I don't speak about ageing properties

For example, not all polymers can be foamed.....

Cheers

Dear Cristo Bou,

That's right. Great progress is currently being made in the field of rapidly biodegradable substitutes for plastic materials and plastics. New types of bioplastic and partially recycled polymers are created. There are more and more new material eco-innovations. It is imperative that these biodegradable substitutes for plastic materials are rapidly deployed in business, industry, as substitutes for plastic packaging and other plastic materials used to manufacture various products.

Have a nice day, Stay healthy! Best wishes,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

Thank you very much