Bioplastics - definition, production & applications

What makes a plastic a bioplastic?

• based on renewable raw materials (matières 1res)

AND/OR

• biodegradable plastics

What’s the definition of biodegradable?

Materials that can be broken down naturally by microorganisms into natural simpler substances

Among all the plastics types, which ones are bioplastics?

Even plastics based on 100% of raw oil but biodegradable are considered as bioplastics

Why using bioplastics?

to shorten the carbon cycle → prevent animals to eat them…

How long does bioplastics’ carbon cycle last compared to conventional plastics?

• bioplastics → ~ 10 years

• fossil plastics → ~ 1 million years

What are the 3 different sources of bioplastics’ raw materials?

Which ones are the most common?

(Where do the monomers can come from)

Give an example for each

What are the 3 different ways of producing bioplastics?

Give an example of bioplastic produced by each

Note: each process doesn’t correspond to one source of raw materials, they can be applied to various raw materials, regardless their origin

Why do some companies use bioplastics although it’s expensive?

• good image

• Forced by the law (regulations about carbon footprint)

What’s the problem with some plastic films used for food packaging?

Some of these films are made with multiple layers of different plastics (up to 6…), each having a specific purpose.

However, as they’re stuck (collés) together, we can’t separate them and thus, they’re not recyclable (unless the energy from burning them is used for something)