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BIOPLASTICS
Timeline
Testing Procedures
Types
Starch-based plastics (biodegradable)
Cellulose-based plastics (biodegradable)
Cellulose-based plastics are made from cellulose that come from raw materials (cotton linters or wood pulp). The cellulose in wood pulp e.g. is reacted to produce cellulose esters or ethers that can be used later. Based on the acids and the anhydrides, some cellulose plastics may have different properties than others. But, most cellulose-based plastics are crystalline and hydrogen bonded, meaning they cannot be melted or become insoluble because of its mechanical and chemical strength. [T.2]
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) (biodegradable)
PHA is a compostable thermoplastic or a natural polyester acquired from bacterial fermentation. PHA can break down in compost sites along side waste, limiting the need of sorting. Also, they can decompose easily in the soil and fresh water and ocean water areas.
Its properties include: water insoluble, resistant to hydrolytic degradation, biocompatible, non-toxic, brittle, and stiffness. [T.4]
Nylon 11 or Polyamide 11 (PA 11) (bio-based)
Unlike many types of bioplastics, Polyamide 11 under the trade name Rilsan, comes from natural resources and oil (castor beans or oil) and requires little resource; therefore, it lowers the environmental
impact it has. And its properties include
heat resistance. [T.6]
Starch-based plastics are highly degradable, decomposing in areas like industrial compost facilities, soil areas, and in freshwater and ocean water; therefore, it reduces the amount of carbon it leaves behind and landfill needed for it to degrade in. Although, it is highly degradable, it also carries tensile strength and heat tolerance. [T.1]
Polylactic acid (PLA) (bio-based and biodegradable)
Polyethylene (PE) (bio-based)
PE is created by fermenting and distilling sugar in feedstocks into ethanol and then dehydrated to ethylene. Originally, PE was derived from fossil based polymer that went through the same process that feedstock does. However, the properties of bio-based PE are still very similar to that of conventional PE because of its conversion and recycling properties. But, the main difference is that bio-based PE actually reduces carbon dioxide emissions. [T.5]
PET, also called polyester is comprised of a clear, strong, lightweight, flexible, and non-toxic material made from sugarcane, crude oil, and natural gas. The building block of PET are a combination of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid put together to form a polymer chain, and later cut into small pellets. The small pallets is then
PLA is derived from renewable sources (corn), but it is highly degradable when exposed to temperatures at 60 degrees Celsius, or whenever it is subjected to sunlight.
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Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (bio-based)
heated into molten liquid that could be reshaped. Its properties include: mechanical strength, permeability, electrical conductivity, thermal and chemical resistance, and low water absorbency. [T.7]
Pie chart describing the percentage of each type of bioplastics has in global production.
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