Bioplastics

Present situation worldwide and in Switzerland

Bioplastics are derived from renewable biomass. They should not be confused with biodegradable plastics, as bioplastics are not necessarily biodegradable.

Next to so-called drop-in materials – biobased plastics that are chemically identical to plastics derived from fossil resources – a growing number of novel monomers or polymers are derived from renewable resources. They are increasingly replacing classic, petroleum-derived products. One such example is polyethylene furanoate (PEF), which can be derived entirely from plants. One of its components, furandicarboxylic acid, is a base chemical for many bio-derived plastics and can be produced from vegetal waste matter in a multi-step process. PEF is similar to PET, but has better barrier properties for oxygen and CO2, which makes it interesting for the packaging industry. High-grade and functional biopolymers are used increasingly for special applications, e.g. in biomedicine, for 3D printing of new organs and in the packaging industry.

In the near future, biobased plastics will become more present on the market, but their share of the steadily growing total market will remain low (a few percentage points only). On the one hand, regulatory measures are needed to change things. On the other hand, more research is necessary to accompany a wider rollout of biobased plastics especially in the packaging industry. One textbook example is the EU project BioSmart, carried out in partnership with the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg, which aims to develop smart, biobased and compostable packaging. Other interesting monomers derived from natural resources are still at research stage. Active research is being carried out on functional biopolymers, especially for high-tech applications that interact with their environment or react to external factors. Polyhydroxyalkanoates, which can be tailored to specific applications in terms of structure and properties, are one such exciting development.

Implications for Switzerland

Applications using biopolymers in medical technology, in formulation and in packaging represent opportunities for the Swiss industry. The automotive industry and the field of agriculture should also be taken into account. Research and industrial partners as well as regulatory bodies should be brought together to identify key issues and solutions. Public awareness of biobased and/or biodegradable plastics must also be raised.