Renewable resources

A renewable resource is a resource that can be renewed faster than its level of consumption. We can speak of a renewable resource when it can be used continuously without harming future generations. In the field of biobased plastics, the renewable resources used for their production are mainly derived from plant biomass such as starch, … Lire la suite

Biobased plastic

A biobased plastic is a polymer made entirely or partially from renewable resources such as sugars, starch, vegetable oils or other biomass. A biobased plastic is not necessarily biodegradable, although it can be, as well as it can be recycled. The industry has been trying for many years to diversify the biomass used and to … Lire la suite

Biodegradable plastic

The term biodegradable plastic refers to polymers that can decompose under the action of micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi), forming water, carbon dioxide (or methane) and biomass that is not dangerous for the environment. Biodegradation can take place in different environments (compost, soil, water, etc.) and will be more or less rapid depending on different parameters such … Lire la suite

Plastic

A plastic is a modulable material with a polymer base. There are 3 types of plastics Thermoplastics: are polymers that melt when heated and harden whe cooled. Thermosets: are polymers which, once solidified, cannot be melted againbecause of the very strong interactions between the molecular chains. Elastomers: are polymers that are characterised by high elasticity. … Lire la suite

PLA

PLA (or polylactic acid) is a 100% biobased and biodegradable polyester, preferably in industrial composting. It is currently produced from biomasses such as corn, sugar cane or sugar beet through a process of fermentation of sugars into lactic acid. PLA is used in a wide range of applications such as rigid and flexible packaging, … Lire la suite

PHA

Polyhydroxyalkanoates are natural polyesters produced by certain bacteria.Depending on the type of bacteria and the cultivation conditions, it is possible to obtain a whole range of PHAs with different properties.Depending on the nature of the side carbon chain R and the number (x) ofcarbons in the repeating unit constituting the main chain, it will be … Lire la suite

Biobased PET

Biobased PET is a polymer that is partly (up to 30 %) produced from plant biomass. One of these monomers (ethylene glycol) is produced from renewable resources, currently mainly sugar or residues from the sugar industry. Like petroleum-based PET, biobased PET has the same usage properties, is not biodegradable but can be 100 % recycled … Lire la suite

Biobased PE

Biobased PE has the same chemical structure as petroleum-based PE. It can be up to 100 % biobased and is produced mainly from renewable resources such as sugar cane, unlike other PE made from fossil resources. Biobased PE has the same usage properties, is not biodegradable but can be 100 % recycled with petroleum-based PE … Lire la suite

PCL

PCL, or polycaprolactone, is a synthetic biopolyester and is therefore madeentirely from fossil resources. However, it is biodegradable under industrial and home composting conditions, as well as in the soil. PCL has interesting properties such as high flexibility and a relatively low transformation temperature compared to other biopolyesters (around 60 °C).

PBSA

PBSA, or polybutylene succinate adipate, is a biopolyester, now 35 % biobased. It is biodegradable under various conditions: industrial, home and soil composting. It is transformed at temperatures between 130 and 150 °C The great flexibility of PBSA allows it to be used for the formulation of films or other biodegradable polyesters in order to … Lire la suite