bioplastice

Bioplastics are a family of plastics produced from renewable biomass or designed to break down under natural conditions. They can be biobased, biodegradable, or both. Biobased plastics derive a portion or all of their carbon from renewable sources such as corn, sugarcane, or vegetable oils. Biodegradable plastics are capable of fragmenting and assimilating into natural cycles under certain conditions, though not all biodegradables will degrade in household compost bins.

Common examples include polylactic acid (PLA), a biobased polymer often used in packaging and 3D printing; polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA); and polybutylene succinate (PBS). Some biobased plastics, like biobased polyethylene (Bio-PE) or bio-based PET, are not biodegradable but offer renewable feedstocks. Conversely, many biodegradable plastics are not biobased.

End-of-life depends on material and facilities. Industrial composting standards such as EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 specify conditions for compostability; home composting and anaerobic digestion have different criteria. Properly sorting and waste management are crucial because many so-called biodegradable plastics require specific facilities to degrade and may contaminate recycling streams if mismanaged.

Applications span packaging, single-use items, agricultural films, electronics, and medical devices. Potential benefits include reduced fossil resource use and lower greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle, but benefits vary with feedstock, production energy, and end-of-life treatment. Challenges include higher costs, performance considerations, competition with food crops, and the need for compatible waste infrastructure.