Non-Biodegradable Bioplastics
Plastics are generally comprised of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, etc. If the source of carbon is completely/partly from petrochemicals, then the plastic is said to be non-biodegradable. There are 100% biobased plastics like PLA, PHA as well as partially biobased plastics.
While 100% bio-based plastics are mainly used to substitute the plastics that might end up as litter (usually shopping bags, food packaging, disposables), partially bio-based plastics such as polythene manufactured from sugar cane, can provide a near-perfect substitute for oil-based equivalents in products where durability and robustness is vital.
Example – Polyethylene terephthalate (PET, known for its use in beverage bottles). Coca Cola introduced Plant Bottle technology where the PET had been made from bio-based monoethylene glycol (from sugarcane) and terephthalic acid (from petrochemicals).
| Biopolymer | Feedstock | Raw material | Processing | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bio-based Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Sugarcane | Sugar | ·Fermented and distilled to ethanol
· Monoethylene glycol (MEG) from bio-ethanol · MEG is combined with purified terephthalic acid (PTA) |
PlantBottle by Coke, Bottles. |
| Bio-based Polyethylene (PE) | Sugarcane | Sugar | · Fermented and distilled to ethanol
· Dehydrated to ethylene · Polymerisation |
Carry bags, films and bottles |
| Bio-polycarbonate | Corn | Isosorbide | · Hydrogenation of glucose to produce sorbitol
· Isosorbide is obtained from double dehydration of sorbitol |
A substitute for high-performance glass components, electronic equipment, automotive housings, interior and exterior decor |
| Bio-Polyamide (PA 4,10/ PA 6,10) | Castor Oil | Sebacic acid | The dicarboxylic acid (sebacic acid) part of polyamide is produced from renewable resource (castor oil) | Electronics, Automotives, Sports |
