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bioplastic.

Bioplastics can generally be classified as a manmade, natural polymer fiber.

Bioplastics are plastics, which are synthesized from a renewable source and therefore not petroleum-based. They can be split into 2 categories, whereas the difference between them is in the type of raw material used and the process.

Biopolyester – which includes PLA, biobased PTT and Biobased PET – made from biomass, cornstarch, sugar

Bio-based polyamides (Nylon) – which consists of bio-based Polyamide 11 and bio-based Polyamide 10,10, Polyamide 6 – made from castor oil

The most commonly obtained raw-materials for bioplastic are sugars or starches. Other frequent raw-material sources include lipids, biomass, algae, fungi and bacteria.

Interest in biosynthetics is growing as a sustainable alternative from a renewable resource to fossil fuel. Biosynethitics also have a potential negative impact on the environment. Namely, when the raw material used is not farmed sustainably, when a GMO crop is used for production or when the material is not properly disposed at the end of its life.

+ PROS

what it gives.

 

− CONS

what it asks.

  • It is still plastic, so it might shed microplastic and leak chemicals if not properly disposed.

ADVICE

what to look for.

Make sure your product is sustainably harvested, not made out of GMO feedstock and that it’s compostable.

SOURCES & FURTHER READING

where this comes from.

https://cfda.com/resources/materials

TextileExchange, 2018, Quick Guide to Biosynthetics

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