Several types of materials exist on the market, which are all called bioplastics:
- Materials based on renewable sources which cannot undergo biodegradation (bio-PE, bio – PP, bio-PET ….).
They stay in nature from decades to hundreds of years and they are part of plastic waste (pollution). - Materials based on fossil sources which can undergo biodegradation (PVA, PCL, PBAT …).
Their degradation products contribute to global warming effect. - Materials based on renewable sources which can undergo biodegradation (PLA. PHA, TPS …).
This is an ecological solution with minimum negative impact on environment.
Characteristics of most plastics currently on the market:
- They contain polymers or other additives on fossil base
- Products made from them are usually very brittle and exhibit insufficient shape stability
- Mechanical properties deteriorate over time (physical ageing effect)
- Biodegradation is very slow or none
- Application areas are limited by their properties