biobased

Biobased refers to products, materials, or chemicals in which at least part of the content is derived from renewable biological resources rather than fossil fuels. The term is used to describe the origin of the carbon in the product, not necessarily its properties, end-of-life behavior, or environmental impact. Biobased materials include bioplastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), bio-based solvents, fuels, lubricants, and textiles, as well as bio-based chemicals and composites.

Biobased content is typically quantified as the percentage of carbon in the product that originates from renewable biomass. Several standardized methods exist to determine this content, including ASTM D6866 (radiocarbon analysis) and related European standards for solid and liquid materials. Certification and labeling programs, such as the USDA BioPreferred program in the United States, provide marks for products meeting predefined biobased content thresholds and support public procurement.

Feedstocks for biobased products come from crops (corn, sugarcane, sugar beet, soy), starches, vegetable oils, or non-food sources such as agricultural residues, lignocellulosic biomass, or algae. The sustainability of biobased products depends on feedstock cultivation, land use, input intensity, and processing energy, and is evaluated using life cycle assessment.

Biobased is often discussed in the context of a biobased economy and a circular economy, as a strategy to reduce reliance on fossil resources, diversify supply, and potentially lower greenhouse gas emissions, while acknowledging trade-offs and the need for responsible sourcing and end-of-life management.