Biopolymers and Bioplastics

Polymers have properties that make them suitable for use in protecting products from moisture, increasing shelf-life and making products easier to dispense. Every biopolymer has its own material-specific properties, e.g. barrier properties such as oxygen permeability. The barrier properties are relevant to the choice of biopolymers for the packaging of particular products. Bioplastics have very promising prospects for use in pesticide soil pins, for packaging in-flight catering products and for packaging dairy products.

Sugar based biopolymers Applications: Polyalctides decompose harmlessly in the human body and have therefore long been used for medical applications. Examples include surgical implants which do not require operative removal. Until recently, it was not feasible to use polylactides for packaging because of their high price, around US$500 per kilogram.

Cellulose based Biopolymers Applications: Familiar applications of cellophane include packaging for CDS, confectionary and cigarettes. The material is gradually falling out of favour, however, owing to its high price (about US$6 per kilogram). Other cellulose polymer materials (e.g. cellulose ilm) have also been commercially available for many years but are losing market share to newer polymers such as polypropylene.

Synthetic based Biopolymers Applications: The relatively high price of biodegradable polymers of synthetic substances, e.g. aliphatic aromatic copolyesters has prevented them from reaching a large scale market. The best known application is for making substrate mats.

The major advantage of biodegradable packaging is that it can be composted. But the biodegradability of raw materials does not necessarily mean that the product or package made from them (e.g. coated paper) is itself compostable. Biopolymers can also have advantages for waste processing. Coated paper (with e.g. polyethylene) is a major problem product for composting. Although such materials are usually banned from inclusion in organic waste under separate collection schemes, some of them usually end up nonetheless in the mix. The paper decomposes but small scraps of plastic are left over in the compost. The adoption of biopolymers for this purpose would solve the problem

In search of novel Advanced Materials solutions and keeping an eye on the goal of sustainable production and consumption, bioplastics have several (potential) benefits. The use of renewable resources to produce bioplastics the key for increasing resource productivity, the resources can be cultivated on an (at least) annual basis, the principle of cascade use, as biomass can primarily be used for materials and then for energy generation, a reduction of the carbon footprint and GHG egressions of some materials and products – saving fossil fuels resources, and for substituting them step by step.

The use of biopolymers could markedly increase as more durable versions are developed, and the cost to manufacture these bio-plastics continues to go fall. Bio-plastics can replace conventional plastics in the field of their applications also and can be used in different sectors such as food packaging, plastic plates, cups, cutlery, plastic storage bags, storage containers or other plastic or composite materials items you are buying and therefore can help in making environment sustainable. Bio-based polymeric materials are closer to the reality of replacing conventional polymers than ever before. Nowadays, biobased polymers are commonly found in many applications from commodity to hi-tech applications due to advancement in biotechnology and public awareness.

• Biopolymers in Drug Delivery
• Biopolymers in Marine Sources
• Biopolymers from Renewable sources
• Biopolymers in Stem Cell Technology
• Ceramics and applications

Biopolymers are polymers produced by living organisms in other words, they are polymeric biomolecules. Since they are polymers, biopolymers contain monomeric units that are covalently bonded to form larger structures. Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, pea starch or macrobiotic. Bioplastic can be made from agricultural byproducts and also from used plastic bottles and other containers using microorganisms. Bioplastics can be composed of starches, cellulose, biopolymers, and a variety of other materials. Industrial biotechnology is, as far as possible, based on various renewable raw materials, such as vegetable oils and fatty acids. The challenge is to find suitable microorganisms and enzyme systems which effectively transform the raw materials into useable chemical substances. Global Green Chemicals Market to grow at a CAGR of 8.16 percent over the period 2013-2018, the leather chemicals market size in terms of value is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.64% between 2014 and 2019 to reach$7,963.65 million by 2019

Biopolymers are polymers that are biodegradable. The input materials for the production of these polymers may be either renewable (based on agricultural plant or animal products) or synthetic. Current and future developments in biodegradable polymers and renewable input materials focus relate mainly to the scaling-up of production and improvement of product properties. Larger scale production will increase availability and reduce prices. Currently either renewable or synthetic starting materials may be used to produce biodegradable polymers. Two main strategies may be followed in synthesizing a polymer. One is to build up the polymer structure from a monomer by a process of chemical polymerization. The alternative is to take a naturally occurring polymer and chemically modify it to give it the desired properties. A disadvantage of chemical modification is however that the biodegradability of the polymer may be adversely affected. Therefore it is often necessary to seek a compromise between the desired material properties and biodegradability.

Increased use of biopolymers would reduce the dependence on fossil fuels; another advantage is that biopolymers are easily bio-degradable

Thermosetting plastics are polymer materials which are liquid or malleable at low temperatures, but which change irreversibly to become hard at high temperatures. A major effort is underway to recognize biobased epoxy resins that can substitute for existing petroleum-based materials such as bis-phenol A diglycidyl ether[C₂₁H₂₄O₄] (BADGE). Unfortunately, bis-phenol A (BPA) is particularly problematic as it is differentiated as a reprotoxic R2 substance and an endocrine disruptor. More than 60% of the overall production is used in the coatings industry. Furthermore, epoxies are apparently the most versatile family of adhesives because they are compatible with many substrates, and can be easily modified to attain widely varying properties. Control of properties and also processing is usually based on the selection of the relevant epoxy precursors or combination of monomers, on the selection of curing agents and associated reaction mechanism, and on the inclusion of organic or inorganic fillers and components. Work is underway to develop BPA replacements from various biobased feedstocks’ as well lignin derived chemicals

Plastic Pollution involves the aggregation of plastic products in the environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, or human kinds. Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized into micro, meso, or macro debris, based on size. The importance of plastic pollution is correlated with plastics being inexpensive and durable, which lends to high levels of plastics used by human beings. However, it is slow to degrade. Humans are also affected by plastic pollution, such as through the interruption of the thyroid hormone axis or sex hormone levels. Plastic efforts have occurred in some regions in attempts to reduce plastic consumption and pollution and promote plastic recycling.

The use of biodegradable plastics has been shown to have many advantages and disadvantages. Biodegradables are biopolymers that degrade in industrial composters. Biodegradables do not degrade as efficiently in domestic composters, and during this slower process, methane gas may be emitted.

There are also other types of degradable materials that are not considered to be biopolymers, because they are oil-based, similar to other conventional plastics. These plastics are made to be more degradable through the use of different additives, which help them degrade when exposed to UV rays or other physical stressors. However, biodegradation promoting additives for polymers have been shown not to significantly increase biodegradation

The field of Nanotechnology is one of the most popular areas for current research and development in basically all technical disciplines. This obviously includes Polymer Nanotechnology which includes microelectronics (which could now be referred to as nanomaterial). Other areas include polymer-based biomaterials, Nano medicine, Nano emulsion particles; fuel cell electrode polymer bound catalysts, layer-by-layer self-assembled polymer films, electrospun nanofabrication, imprint lithography, polymer blends and Nano composites. Even in the field of Nanocomposites, many diverse topics exist including composite reinforcement, barrier properties, flame resistance, electro-optical properties, cosmetic applications, bactericidal properties.

Nanotechnology is not new to polymer science as prior studies before the ages of Nanotechnology involved Nano scale dimensions but were not specifically referred to as Nanotechnology until recently. Phase separated polymer blends often achieve Nano scale phase dimensions; block copolymer domain morphology is usually at the Nano scale level; asymmetric membranes often have Nano scale void structure, mini emulsion particles In the large field of Nanotechnology, polymer matrix based Nano composites have become a prominent area of current research and development

Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, or microbiota. Bioplastic can be made from agricultural by-products and also from used plastic bottles and other containers using microorganisms. Common plastics, such as fossil-fuel plastics (also called petrobased polymers), are derived from petroleum or natural gas. Production of such plastics tends to require more fossil fuels and to produce more greenhouse gases than the production of biobased polymers (bioplastics). Some, but not all, bioplastics are designed to biodegrade. Biodegradable bioplastics can break down in either anaerobic or aerobic environments, depending on how they are manufactured. Bioplastics can be composed of starches, cellulose, biopolymers, and a variety of other materials

Biocomposites is a composition material formed by a matrix and a reinforcement of natural fibers. Green composite are differentiated as a bio composite combined by natural fibers with biodegradable resins. They are called green composites, majorly because of their degradable and sustainable properties, which can be easily disposed without harming the environment. Because of its durability, green composites are majorly utilized to increase the life cycle of products with short life. A different class of Biocomposites, called hybrid bio composite which is based on different types of fibers into a single matrix. The fibers can be synthetic or natural, and can be randomly combined to generate the hybridization. The worldwide capacity for production of "C" (carbon) fibres was 111, 785 tons in 2012. In 2016 it is set to reach 156,845 tonnes and in 2020, it was set to reach 169,300tonnes. In relation to these nominal capacities, actual production only represents a part, estimated at 60% in 2012, 68% in 2016 and 72% in 2020. Demand was 47,220 t in 2012. It is set to reach 74,740tonnes in 2016 and 102,460tonnes in 2020. This over-capacity could lead to maintaining competitive prices. Hydrocarbons fiber matrix composite materials are made 72 % from epoxy

Even though they still account for only a minute share of the plastics market as a whole, bioplastics have become a true alternative to standard plastics manufactured from petrochemical feedstock’s. The term 'bioplastics' is utilized for a wide range of various products with different properties and applications. In its recently published study, Markets and Markets is a market research company and consulting firm based in the U.S. We publish strategically analyzed market reports and serve as a business intelligence partner to Fortune 500 companies across the world. Markets and Markets also provide multi-client reports, company profiles and custom research services. Markets and Markets covers thirteen industry verticals, includes advanced materials, automotive and transportation, banking and financial services, biotechnology, chemicals, energy and power, food and beverages, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, semiconductor and electronics, telecommunications and IT. We at Markets and Markets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our vast market intelligence repository. The global market for implantable Biopolymers and Bioplastics was worth around $155.7 billion in 2014. This market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.2% between 2014 and 2019 results in $155.7 billion in 2014 and $200.5 billion global market in 2019