Bio-based plastics

Bio-based plastics are made in whole or partially from renewable biological resources. For example, sugar cane is processed to produce ethylene, which can then be used to manufacture polyethylene. Starch can be processed to produce lactic acid and subsequently polylactic acid (PLA).
 

Properties of bio-based plastics
 

The properties of bio-based plastics can vary considerably from material to material. Bio-based or partly bio-based durable plastics, so called “drop-in bioplastics”, such as bio-based or partly bio-based PE, PET or PVC, possess identical properties to their conventional versions. These bio-based plastics cannot be distinguished from conventional plastics other than by scientific analyses.
 

Applications of bio-based plastics
 

Bio-based plastics, such as starch blends, PLA, bio-PET and bio-PE, are mostly used in packaging applications. They are also used in fibres in the textiles sector. Bio-based succinic acid is suitable for several applications in sports and footwear, automotive, packaging, agriculture, non-wovens and fibres applications.