Biosourcés

Biosourcés, or biosourced materials, are substances derived from renewable biological resources such as plants, algae, or microorganisms, rather than fossil fuels. The term covers a broad range of materials including bio-based polymers, chemicals, fuels, and solvents. Biosourced origin refers to feedstock, while biodegradability is a separate property that depends on chemical structure and disposal conditions.

Examples include polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), as well as bio-based polyethylenes or polypropylenes produced from renewable feedstocks. Other biosourced materials comprise cellulose- and lignin-based products, bio-based solvents like ethyl lactate, and biofuels such as biodiesel and bioethanol. The category also encompasses biocomposites and specialty chemicals.

Feedstocks include starch-rich crops, sugarcane, lignocellulosic residues, vegetable oils, and microalgae, along with agricultural and municipal waste streams. Production pathways involve fermentation, enzymatic conversion, or catalytic upgrading, sometimes followed by polymerization or refining.

Lifecycle assessment is used to compare greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and environmental impacts of biosourcés with fossil benchmarks. Certification schemes and labels verify renewable content and sustainability, while EU and other policies support bio-based materials through incentives and standards.

Market adoption faces challenges such as higher costs, feedstock variability, and the need for compatible processing infrastructure. Research focuses on expanding feedstock options, improving conversion efficiency, and ensuring material performance to broaden practical applications of biosourcés.