Definition of bioplastics
As of now, there is no standardised definition of a bioplastic. Within the currently most widely accepted meaning, a bioplastic is a biobased material and/or biodegradable . There are three major categories of bioplastics:
- Biosourced (obtained from renewable resources) and biodegradable materials
- Materials made using fossil fuels (oil) and biodegradable ressources
- Biosourced and sustainable materials (non biodegradable)
| Biodegradable | PBAT, PCL, PBSA | PBS, TPS, starch-based compound, biobased TPE | PLA, PHAs, TPS |
| Non biodegradable | PE, PP, PS, PET, PVC, PUR, PC, ABS, PA, etc. | Biosourced PET, biobased PA 6-10, biobased PC, biobased PUR, biobased TPE, PTT, biobased Copolyesters, Cellulose esters, Hybrids | Biosourced PE, biobased PP, biobased PA-11, biobased PA 10-10 |
| Non biobased | Partially biobased | Biosourced |
GOING EVEN FURTHER
Historically, the plastic raw materials used industrially by man were of natural origin.
In addition to their origin and end-of-life properties, bioplastic materials may be split into two categories.
The biobased and/or biodegradable plastics market is in a state of constant evolution. For the past several years, it has witnessed major developments in production capabilities of biobased and non-biodegradable polymers.