Biopolymers and Bioplastics

A thermoplastic is a type of plastic made from polymer resins that becomes a homogenized liquid when heated and hard when cooled. When frozen, however, a thermoplastic becomes glass-like and subject to fracture. These characteristics, which lend the material its name, are reversible. That is, it can be reheated, reshaped, and frozen repeatedly. This quality also makes thermoplastics recyclable.

Thermoplastic materials have many features. Some products made from thermoplastic materials are used for electronic applications. They protect against electrostatic discharge and radio frequency interference. Thermoplastics are one of the main two types of plastics. Thermoplastic can be moulded into any shape. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is the second largest volume thermoplastic produced behind polypropylene. There are dozens of kinds of thermoplastics, with each type varying in crystalline organization and density. Some types that are commonly produced today are polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polyethylenetheraphthalate and polycarbonate. Today the raw material used to produce thermoplastics is mostly derived from fossil feedstock.  Biobased feedstocks are also making their inroads.