ADVANCES IN INDUSTRIAL
BIOTECHNOLOGY
BIOPLASTICS: A SUSTAINABLE
ALTERNATIVE IN INDUSTRIAL
BIOTECHNOLOGY
https://alltogether.swe.org/2021/08/hands-on-engineering-activity-making-bioplastic/
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CONTENTS…..
• Traditional plastics and associated risks
• Introduction
• Background knowledge
• Growing importance of sustainable materials and the
need for alternatives to traditional plastics.
• Types of bioplastics
• Production method (PLA)
• Applications of bioplastics
• Benefits
• Limitations
• Big brands using bioplastics
• Future perspectives
• References
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TRADITIONAL PLASTIC AND ITS PROBLEMS
Traditional plastics are typically made from fossil fuels, and therefore contribute to
the ongoing climate crisis.
1. Pollution
2. Microplastics
3. Wildlife Harm
4. Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
5. Toxic Chemicals
6. Landfill Overflow
7. Aesthetic and Economic Impact
8. Resource Depletion:
9. Toxicity in Recycling
10. Diseases
National geographic
naturepl.com / Jordi Chias / WWF © 2010 Ray Van Eng 4
• Say NO to plastic bags, they bring your
health from riches to rags!
• plastic waste cannot be erased. Plastics
give a helping hand, but they are polluting
our land.
• Say no to plastic for a better and greener
tomorrow.
• Plastic waste cannot be erased.
• Bring your basket, and avoid plastic bags.
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BIOPLASTICS
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INTRODUCTION:
What are Bioplastics?
• Bioplastics are polymers produced from natural or
renewable sources.
• Biodegradability of Bioplastics has been widely
publicized in society and the demand for packaging is
rapidly increasing among retailers and the food
industry at large scale.
• Bioplastics make it possible to develop innovative,
alternative solutions compared to conventional
plastics. Even more, bio-based plastics reduce
dependence on fossil resources
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Background knowledge
PHB Discovery: The first bioplastic, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), was discovered
in 1926 by French researcher Maurice Lemoigne while studying the bacterium
Bacillus megaterium.
Petroleum Crisis: The mid-1970s petroleum crisis renewed interest in finding
alternatives to petroleum-based products, including plastics.
Advancements in Molecular Genetics: The rise of molecular genetics and
recombinant DNA technology further fueled bioplastic research.
Established Bioplastics: By the beginning of the 21st century, various bioplastics
had become established, including PHB and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)
synthesized within specialized microbes, and polylactic acid (PLA) polymerized
from lactic acid produced by microbial fermentation of plant-derived sugars and
starches.
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GROWING IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
AND THE NEED FOR ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL
PLASTICS.
The push for sustainable materials and alternatives to
traditional plastic is a multidimensional effort that involves
consumers, policymakers, and researchers working together
to create a more environmentally friendly and socially
responsible future
• Plastic Pollution
• Micro-plastics and Human Health
• Limited Recycling and Waste Management
• Fossil Fuel Dependency
• Legislation and Regulations
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution
https://www.ucpublicaffairs.com/home/2020/4/15/microplastic-pollution 9
TYPES OF
BIOPLASTICS
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1. Bio-based Bioplastics
• Fully Bio-based Bioplastics
• Partially Bio-based (Hybrid) Bioplastics
2. Biodegradable Bioplastics:
• Polylactic Acid (PLA)
• Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)
• Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT)
• Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB)
3. Starch-Based Bioplastics
4. Cellulose-Based Bioplastics
5. Protein based bioplastics
6. Seaweed based bioplastics
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BIO-BASED BIOPLASTICS
• Fully Bio-based Bioplastics
• These bioplastics are made entirely from renewable carbon
sources and do not contain any petrochemical-derived
components. Examples include Polylactic Acid (PLA) and
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).
• Partially Bio-based (Hybrid) Bioplastics
• These bioplastics contain a combination of renewable carbon
from biological sources and conventional fossil fuel-based
carbon. An example of a partially bio-based bioplastic is
Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF).
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BIODEGRADABLE BIOPLASTICS:
These bioplastics have the ability to break down into natural elements through the action of
microorganisms under specific environmental conditions.
• Polylactic Acid (PLA): PLA is a biodegradable bioplastic made from fermented plant
sugars and is commonly used in packaging, disposable cutlery, textiles, and 3D printing.
• Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA): PHAs are biodegradable biopolymers synthesized by
various microorganisms. They are fully biodegradable in different environments, including
soil and water.
• Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT): PBAT is a compostable bioplastic made
by combining petroleum-based terephthalic acid with plant-based adipic acid and
butanediol. It is commonly used as a flexible film in applications like compostable bags
and wraps.
• Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB): PHB is a biodegradable polyester produced by certain
bacteria as a storage material. It is used in applications such as packaging, agricultural
films, and medical devices. 13
PRODUCTION
METHOD
(PLA)
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Feedstock Production
Isolation of Starch:
Fermentation of Starch
Purification of Lactic Acid
Polymerization
Incorporation of Additives
(Optional):
PLA Processing
End Product
Manufacturing https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/app.53477
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APPLICATIONS
OF
BIOPLASTICS
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COSMETICS AGRO FOOD
PACKAGING PLASTIC BAGS
PACKAGING
SPORTS &
LEISURE TRANSPORTATION CONSTRUCTION
https://natureplast.eu/en/applications-of-bioplastics/ 17
STATIONERY
CHILDCARE
European bioplastics, Nova institute (2018) 18
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BENEFITS AND
LIMITATIONS
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Reduced Carbon Footprint
Reduced Waste Accumulation
Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Resource Efficiency and Conservation
Soil enrichment
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Expensive
/costly
Emission of Effect the
greenhouse gas food supply
Some require Shorter life
fossil fuels span
Must follow
specific
disposal
procedure
FUTURE
PERSPECTIVES
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FUTURE OF TRADITIONAL PLASTICS vs
BIOPLASTICS
To put it into perspective,
the global plastic industry
was worth about $579
billion in 2020 and is
expected to be worth $750
billion by 2028! Today,
bioplastics only have about
1% of the market share but
this number is rising.
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CONCLUSION
Bioplastics offer a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics, as
they are derived from renewable sources and have the potential to
biodegrade, reducing environmental impact.
However,
the widespread adoption of bioplastics faces challenges in terms of cost-
effectiveness, scalability, and competition with established
petrochemical-based plastic industries, requiring further advancements
and infrastructure support.
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References:
• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution
• https://bioplasticsnews.com/2018/07/05/history-of-bioplastics/
• European bioplastics, Nova institute (2018)
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/app.53477
• https://www.ucpublicaffairs.com/home/2020/4/15/microplastic-pollution
• https://stock.adobe.com/license-terms
• https://www.precedenceresearch.com/bioplastics-market
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/columbiabusinessschool/2022/05/17/the-plastic-alternative-the-
world-needs/?sh=757236241461
• https://bioplastics.org.au/big-brands-embracing-bioplastics/
• https://natureplast.eu/en/applications-of-bioplastics/
• https://www.implasticfree.com/45-catchy-no-plastic-slogans/
• Ibrahim Muhammad Shamsuddin et al. (2017) doi:10.11648/j.abb.20170504.13
• https://alltogether.swe.org/2021/08/hands-on-engineering-activity-making-bioplastic/
• https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07918
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