In today’s world, with the increase in consciousness about Global Environment, nobody can deny the importance of sustainable material. The new bio-polymers derived from the renewable biological sources show great potential to become the natural contenders to the classic petroleum derived polymers. In this article, we will discuss about the growth, advantages, and major players, who are advancing in the bio-plastic market that is diversifying as a revolutionary material towards environmental friendly services.
1. Understanding Bio-plastics
Bio-plastics are plastics that are produced from biological matter with the use of renewable resources other than hydrocarbons. Some of the common type of raw materials include corn starch and sugarcane also known as cellulose. Bio-plastics is a category of plastics that are produced to minimize environmental hazards by being biodegradable.
2. Benefits of Bio-plastics
Environmental Impact: Biodegradable plastics have a lower carbon footprint than conventional plastics, as their raw materials are derived from renewable resources and also that the production process and the final degradation of bio-plastics emit lesser greenhouse gases than regular plastics.
Biodegradability: The major types of bio-plastics are produced to degrade more rapidly and notably, in natural conditions to eliminate polluting the surroundings and endangering animals and birds.
Reduced Dependency on Fossil Fuels: They assist in reduction of the dependence on the limited fossil resources, hence boosting energy security.
Recyclability: Some forms of bio-plastics are recyclable, thus increasing their sustainability and therefore decreasing waste byproducts.
3. Types of Bio-plastics
PLA (Poly-lactic Acid): Biodegradable and synthesized from fermented plant starch often the corn, PLA is in various uses ranging from food wrapping to biodegradable surgical instruments.
PHA (Poly Hydroxy Alkanoates): PHA is synthesized by microbial fermentation of sugars and is totally biodegradable and is used in packing’s, agricultural inventories and in medical products.
Starch Blends: These bio-plastics are made by blending starch with other polymers to enhance their characteristics and are applied mostly in packing and articles that are disposed of afterward.
Bio-PET (Bio-based Polyethylene Terephthalate): Bio-PET like the normal PET is used in the bottles and containers for packing and is recyclable, but is gotten from the renewable resources.
4. Applications of Bio-plastics
Packaging: In packaging, bio-plastics are employed commonly in trashing containers, food, takeaway containers and shopping bags because of their environmental advantage besides their strength.
Agriculture: Some uses of bio-plastics are biodegradable mulch films, seedling trays, and plant pots which minimizes the use of plastics in agriculture.
Consumer Goods: Examples of end product applications of bio-plastics include, disposals like the fork, knife and spoon, electronic appliances, and clothing.
Medical Devices: Some bio-plastics are bio-compatible because of this feature some have been used in surgery to act as sutures or implants, or for delivering drugs.
5. Challenges and Future Directions
Cost: The production of bio-plastics is relatively costly compared to the conventional plastics; therefore its market share is likely to be compromised.
Performance: Depending on the type of the bio-plastic, they might still not be as durable and have the same properties and functions as the conventional plastics.
Infrastructure: The performance of biodegradability and compostability is based on the waste disposal system, which is not well developed in all the countries.
6. The Future of Bio-plastics
Bio-polymers and their composites have a bright future, since nanotechnology is still developing, and large-scale production is still in its production stage. Future advancements in the areas of research and development should improve the characteristics of bio-plastics and decrease their prices resulting from more competition with traditional plastics.
Thus, world leading bio-plastics are a breakthrough on the way to search for new environmentally friendly types of plastics. Therefore, due to their ability to pave for the decreased usage of fossil fuels, the reduced environmental effects as well as being biodegradable, bio-plastics supply potential to help resolve the plastic pollution crisis.