The environmental friendliness of bioplastics is frequently praised, but do they live up to the hype?

Since the 1950s, the globe has created more than nine billion tonnes of plastic. With over 9 million additional tonnes entering the waters each year, 165 million tonnes of it have defiled our ocean. Since only around 9% of plastic is recycled, the majority of the remaining plastic either pollutes the environment or is left in landfills, where it can take up to 500 years for it to degrade while releasing hazardous chemicals into the soil.

Raw ingredients derived from petroleum are used to make traditional plastic. Some claim that bioplastics, which contain 20% or more renewable resources, could be the answer to the problem of plastic pollution. Reduced reliance on fossil fuel supplies, a smaller carbon impact, and quicker decomposition are some of the benefits of bioplastic that are frequently mentioned. Additionally, bioplastic is less hazardous and free of bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disruptor that is frequently included in conventional plastics.

So Why Bioplastics?

200 million tonnes of plastic are used worldwide each year, making it the third most widely used petroleum derivative. It has contaminating properties, comes from a non-renewable source (petroleum), and is not biodegradable (it can take more than 1000 years to decompose).

Does it still make sense to bundle goods that only last a few days or months in packaging that can take centuries to decompose?

Well this is what the scientific global community is trying to address by looking at available sustainable greener models that can be used to reduce the significant losses caused by traditional packaging models.

An alternative to conventional plastic is Bioplastic. - What are Bioplastics?

The family of bioplastics includes a wide range of materials. The materials used to make bioplastics are diverse. They are made up of a wide range of substances with various characteristics and uses. A plastic substance is considered a bioplastic, if it is either bio based, biodegradable, or possesses both qualities.

Biodegradable, biobased, or both describe bioplastics.

The phrase "biobased" denotes that a substance or item is (at least partially) generated from biomass (plants). Biomass comes from sources like corn, sugarcane, or cellulose when making bioplastics.

Biodegradable: Biodegradation is a chemical process in which naturally occurring microbes transform materials into natural products including compost, carbon dioxide, and water (artificial additives are not needed). The biodegradation process is influenced by the substance, the application, and the surrounding environmental factors (such as location or temperature).

Biodegradable does not equate to biobased.

The ability of a material to biodegrade is tied to its chemical structure rather than its resource base. In other words, whereas 100 percent fossil-based plastics can biodegrade, 100 percent biobased plastics might not.

Advantages of Bioplastic

The advancement of plastics is being driven by bioplastics. Products made from biomass that regenerates annually have two main advantages over typical plastic alternatives:

They conserve fossil fuels and have the rare potential to be carbon neutral.

Additionally, some types of bioplastics have the additional virtue of being biodegradable. It provides extra options for money back at the end of a product's life.

DECODING BIOPLASTICS 

Bioplastics have a number of benefits when looking for innovative material solutions and keeping an eye on the objective of sustainable sourcing, production, and consumption. Bioplastics made from renewable biomass are essential for improving resource efficiency through:

The resources (crops) that are at least annually cultivated

The cascade usage principle, whereby biomass can be utilised initially to produce items that can occasionally be reused and recovered, and then ultimately to recover energy

Lowering the materials' and products' greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon footprint

Saving fossil resources by gradually replacing them

Gaining independence from fossil resources like crude oil, and consequently from exports associated to such resources

Compostable: Compostability is the quality of being biodegradable in conditions of commercial or domestic composting.

Biopolymers are already gaining popularity in cities across Europe and the United States for environmental reasons. They are 100 percent biodegradable, equally resilient, and versatile, and are already used in agriculture, the textile industry, medicine, and more broadly in the container and packaging market.

Within 10 years, it is anticipated that this product will meet the demands of 10% of the European plastics market.

DECODING BIOPLASTICS

Three major categories can be used to separate the bioplastics family

1. Non-biodegradable plastics that are biobased or at least partially biobased, such as biobased polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), and numerous other biobased polyamides (PA), as well as technical performance polymers like polyethylene furanoate (PEF), which are referred to as "drop-ins";
2. plastics that are both bio-based and biodegradable, such as polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and other starch blends;
3. Plastics made from fossil fuels but with the ability to degrade, such as polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), which may one day be produced entirely or in part from bio-based feedstock. In some circumstances, this is currently the case.

The common varieties of bioplastics and their classification in terms of biodegradability and bio-based content are shown in the material coordinate system of bioplastics.

DECODING BIOPLASTICS - ESTABLISHED BIOPLASTIC MATERIALS

Bio-based, non-biodegradable polyolefins and polyesters

Commodity plastics like PE, PP, and PET can also be produced from renewable resources like sugarcane waste or used cooking oil. There are already many packaging options that use bio-based PE, which is already produced on a huge scale. The same applications for conventional PP, including those for technical products and plastic containers, are also applicable to bio-based PP. Although biobased polyester PET can be used to make renewable textile fibers, it is most frequently utilized in food packaging, including drink bottles.

Only the MEG (monoethylene glycol) building block, which makes up the majority of bio-based PET currently available, is produced using renewable resources. However, it is generally possible to create 100% bio-based PET, and it might perhaps appear on the market in the future. They are also referred to as "drop-in" bioplastics. The time it takes for materials like bio-based PE or bio-based PET to go from development to commercialization is much shorter. PEF, a brand-new polyester made entirely of biomaterials, is anticipated to hit the market soon. Although it has better barrier qualities than PET, it can still be utilized for the same applications.

DECODING BIOPLASTICS - ESTABLISHED BIOPLASTIC MATERIALS

Bio-based, non-biodegradable technical/performance polymers

This broad category includes a variety of particular polymers, including bio-based polyurethanes (PUR), polyesters like polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polyamides (PA), and various polyepoxides (PE). Their applications can be very varied. Textile fibres (seat coverings, carpets), automotive applications (such as sitting foams), casings, cables, hoses, and covers are only a few examples of typical technical applications. Their useful lives often last a number of years. They are referred to as durable bioplastics because biodegradability is not a desired quality for them. They frequently perform better than more traditional solutions.

Bio-based, biodegradable plastics

This category comprises novel polyesters like polylactic acid (PLA) or polyhydroxyalkanoates, as well as starch blends comprised of thermoplastic starch (TPS), other biodegradable polymers, and corn starch (PHAs). They can largely be employed for transient goods, like packaging1, but there are also more and more long-term applications emerging. While some of these materials primarily biodegrade in composting environments, others also do so in less controlled settings.

DECODING BIOPLASTICS - ESTABLISHED BIOPLASTIC MATERIALS

Several materials in this group, primarily PLA, are heading for a new path –   end- of-life solutions besides industrial compostability, such as mechanical but also chemical recycling. The renewable content of these materials is now the focus of attention and technical development. This dynamic development proves that bioplastics have the potential to shape the plastics industry and to produce new innovative and competitive materials.

Biodegradable, fossil-based plastics

Due to their increased mechanical qualities, they are a very small group and are typically employed in conjunction with PLA or other biodegradable plastics to improve application-specific performance. At the moment, fossil feedstock is still mostly used in the production of these biodegradable plastics. However, variants of similar materials that are only partially bio-based have already been created and will be marketed soon. This category includes substances like polycaprolactone and PBAT.

BIOPLASTICS APPLICATION AREAS

Packaging

For the packaging of premium and branded items with specific needs as well as organic food, there is a significant demand for bioplastics. About 2.42 million tonnes of bioplastics were produced globally in 2021, with nearly 48 percent (1.15 million tonnes) of that volume going to the packaging market, which is the largest market for bioplastics.

Applications for rigid bioplastics include beverage bottles, packaging for creams and lipsticks in cosmetics, and many more. In this section, materials like PLA, bio-PE, or bio-PET are employed. Many well-known companies, such Volvic and Heinz, employ bio-PET for all sizes of bottles that contain liquids, while Coca-Cola signed a partnership to evaluate the usage of PEF bottles. Additionally, Coca-Cola released the "100% Plant-based Bottle" on the market. Some of Procter & Gamble's cosmetic goods are packaged using bio-PE. PLA is also gaining traction in the rigid packaging market as a material that might be mechanically recyclable.

When it comes to food packaging for perishables, biodegradability is a trait that is frequently desired. Fresh products, such as fruit and vegetables, are best packaged using flexible packaging options like films and trays since they have a longer shelf life. As there are various and numerous sorts of food, there are also numerous and diverse packaging requirements. Today's packaging methods and materials are highly developed and adaptable to specific application and preservation requirements..

The performance of packaging made of bioplastics is comparable to that of current conventional packaging and, in some cases, even better when it comes to preserving food and extending shelf life. The bioplastics sector will soon be able to preserve food products better than existing packaging by continuing to develop barrier qualities including antibacterial coating and other features.

There is a bioplastic substitute on the market that has the same qualities as conventional plastic materials and applications and may even have better benefits.

BIOPLASTICS APPLICATION AREAS

Food Services

In today's world, eating and drinking on the go is common. For instance, in Germany, the market for catering products, such as cups, paper, and plastic cutlery and crockery, is estimated to be worth around 3.5 billion Euros. This market has increased by an average of 7% annually during the past 10 years. A process of redefining the industry has begun as a result of the political push launched by the European Commission in July 2021 for more sustainable solutions in the single-use segment. To ensure continued food hygiene and safety, modern consumption calls for a combination of adaptable single-use and reuse solutions. For the food and catering industry, a wide range of bioplastics products are accessible in this context. There are both single-use and reusable options available for everything from plates and silverware to cups, trays, and mugs. Only single-use goods are practical in many situations, particularly in closed systems with integrated waste management, as those on airplanes, during sporting events, or in prisons.

Agriculture and horticulture

Particular benefits for biodegradable polymers can be seen in horticulture and agriculture. The development of clean foods with minimal pesticide application is a strong sales argument in vegetable-growing or organic farming. Mulching films, the most significant example, are often making rapid advancements in these areas. It is practicable and more cost-effective to plough in mulching films after use as opposed to collecting them from the field, wiping the soil off of them, and then returning them for recycling. The area and fruit are now very well adapted to biodegradable mulching films.

Other promising uses in agriculture and horticulture include fertilizer rods, pheromone traps that don't require disposal after use, fastening technologies, plant pots for propagation and cultivation, and films for banana bushes that need to be shielded from dust and environmental influences. Marketing of potted plants is also made possible by biodegradable plastics. Herb pots are a prime illustration. Everything, including the movie, can be composted when the herbs have been picked. Alternatives include just planting the items into their pot, which is highly practical for hobby gardeners. There are also flower bulbs that come packaged and can be planted right into the ground. After the packing immediately dissipates, plant development can start. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is also very aware of the benefits of agricultural plastics.

BIOPLASTICS APPLICATION AREAS

Consumer Electronics

Plastics are used extensively in consumer electrical products. Plastic is being used for appliance casings, circuit boards, and data storage to make appliances light and portable yet also tough and, where necessary, durable. In the quickly evolving consumer electronics market, a wider variety of bioplastic items are being developed, including touch screen computer cases, loudspeakers, keyboard components, mobile cases, vacuum cleaners, and laptop mice.

Aerospace & Automotive industry

On a worldwide scale, transportation is thought to be one of the major sources of carbon emissions. The aerospace and automotive industries are looking into how to create more environmentally friendly, sustainable vehicles. Both governments and customers are driving the change in these industries, and one of the most interesting developments is the introduction of new products like hybrid cars. Both sectors spend a lot of money researching ways to make their cars lighter so that they use less fuel and emit fewer pollutants, and plastics are frequently a solution. For both markets, performance and safety are essential components. The good news is that bioplastics can deliver results on par with those of conventional polymers. The need for great temperature resistance in plastic components for electrical devices was previously mentioned. This requirement also applies to plastic components made for the aerospace and automobile industries. We will witness a significant increase in the use of bioplastic components in these areas now that good performance in terms of temperature regulation is available with bioplastic.

Cosmetics

Another significant producer of packaging for its goods is the cosmetics sector. When these things are discarded, many of them have limited lifespans and wind up in landfills. It makes sense that manufacturers are looking for alternatives when you consider the impact disposable products like toothbrushes, hairbrushes, cotton buds, and razors are having. The consumer is the primary focus of this industry, and modern consumers have high expectations for the brands they buy. Brands are able to meet this demand with bioplastic substitutes without sacrificing the quality of their products. Injection moulding can be used to produce even tiny components for beauty items, including bioplastic caps.

BIOPLASTICS & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

A patent search for "recycling plastic" will yield almost one million hits. The plastics that local recycling facilities in the UK accept still vary greatly, despite the fact that this would typically signify a mature sector. For instance, the infamous coffee cup can be recycled, but there are only three facilities in the UK that can do it, and sorting and shipping used coffee cups is expensive and bad for the environment. This shows that there is a noticeable delay between technological innovation and uptake in the recycling business. When we think of bioplastics, this lag is quite evident. What is driving it, and can IP rights help to remedy it? Given predictions of significant expansion in the recycling sector's size and profitability, it's critical to comprehend the advantages of patent protection.

Innovation in recycling is behind uptake

When you consider that biodegradable cellophane was patented as early as the 1910s, it's quite amazing that we're still using so much petrochemical plastic. In the 1960s, bioplastics were considered for commercial application; nevertheless, the patents were abandoned. In the late 1980s, however, bioplastics patenting activity began to pick up. A search for "biodegradable plastic" pulls up patents from the 1970s, whereas a search for "compostable plastic" turns up patents from the 1990s. This is even more surprising considering that our factories and current plastic production methods are well-established, have a high output, and can meet demand. Unfortunately, petrochemical plastics are far more affordable than their biodegradable counterparts in terms of infrastructure and raw resources (fossil fuels).Any delay between innovation and adoption may be the result of reluctance to invest in the construction of new factories that can produce the necessary materials in comparable quantities and at cheaper costs.

How can we close this cost gap and put a stop to the plastic issue, then?

While not all nations offer fast-track protection for green technologies, the majority of them let procedures to be sped up in accordance with a patent that has been awarded in another nation (through a system known as the Patent Prosecution Highway). In order to expedite processing elsewhere, applicants who want patents in numerous nations swiftly may think about patenting their inventions as soon as possible in a nation that offers fast-track protection for green technologies (like the UK).

BIOPLASTICS & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - IP RIGHTS AS A TOOL TO PROMOTE INNOVATION

Technology for separating recyclables is advancing along with the invention of new materials. This contains a lot of clever ideas, such as crushing recyclable things into a sludge to distinguish between biodegradable and non-biodegradable items, utilizing lasers to identify colors and classify complete plastic, metal, or glass objects, and using magnets to remove iron from waste streams. Strong intellectual property in this field will encourage investment and lead to potentially profitable licensing opportunities. It is essential to have a patent or pending patent to assure potential investors that the invention is shielded from imitation. A business is dependent on trade secrets without patent protection, which can be challenging to enforce.

A patent's benefits include a clearly defined definition of the innovation in the claims, and enforcement is as simple as interpreting those claims. Investment or licensing can quickly cover the expense of getting a patent. Numerous new businesses will be eager to license an inventive patent in order to capitalize on the market as recycling centers are certain to increase in both quantity and capacity. Companies that build recycling facilities may not have internal research divisions because they are frequently more concerned with administration and construction. This makes selling licenses to these businesses a practical option to make money off an invention.

Additionally, IP can be used to improve technologies like biodegradable plastics. For instance, some bioplastics can be recycled with polymers made from petrochemicals. Given that they don't contaminate plastic recycling batches the way some biodegradable plastics do, these might offer the interim material needed while we move toward employing more bioplastics. Given that the infrastructure is already in place, this might be adopted quickly. Such an innovation would have a strong monopoly and the potential to be adopted in numerous nations if it were to be protected by intellectual property. A pending application might serve as the foundation for acquiring funding or starting a business before the deadlines for claiming priority or entering the national phase of a PCT application have passed due to this possible rapid adoption. This indicates that the applicant would have one to two and a half years to select the global markets where obtaining a patent would be advantageous. A patent must be new compared to all previously known information at the time of filing or priority. This implies that once a patent application has been submitted, you can generally publish your idea publicly without losing the need of novelty.

In order to protect the invention, it is essential to file for a patent using the right filing method. A monopoly in this expanding market is provided by a patent.

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Effectual’s BIOPLASTICS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH FRAMEWORK is a deep dive into this ecosystem and shall help you understand the intricacies of this nascent innovative domain with insights backed with credible data sources. Some ways we can help include, but not limited to - Performing any previous art or freedom to operate searches to help you better grasp the environment surrounding your invention or business endeavors. If certain methods of IP protection are more appropriate for your technological or business goals, we can help you strategize effectively to plan for future & in making continuous innovation a part of your working model.