The bioplastic adventure

Petroleum-free plastic

460 million tonnes of plastic were produced in 2019, according to a study published earlier this year by the OECD. Added to this is the rise in oil prices, which is causing plastic prices to soar. As a result, new materials made from plants are coming back into vogue, as traditional plastic manufacturing is often dependent on oil. But there are alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. Here are just a few of the methods and materials used to produce plastic without using petroleum:

1. Plant-based bioplastics: Some bioplastics are made from raw materials of plant origin, such as corn starch, sugarcane, or other renewable sources. These materials can be used to manufacture a variety of products, including packaging and containers.
2. Biodegradable bioplastics: Some bioplastics are designed to be biodegradable, decomposing faster than traditional plastics. These plastics are often used for short-life items such as food packaging.
3. Bioplastics based on agricultural waste: Some bioplastics use agricultural waste, such as straw or corn stalks, as a raw material. This can help valorize agricultural waste while reducing dependence on fossil raw materials.
4. Chemically recycled plastics: Advances are being made in the chemical recycling of plastics, enabling used plastics to be broken down into reusable monomers for the production of new plastics without the need for crude oil.
5. Micro-organism-based bioplastics: Some bioplastics are produced from micro-organisms such as bacteria or yeast, which ferment organic substrates to produce polymers.
6. CO2-based bioplastics: Research is underway to develop bioplastics based on carbon dioxide (CO2) captured from the atmosphere, thus helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The aim of these alternatives is to reduce dependence on fossil resources and minimize the environmental impact of plastic waste. However, it is important to note that some of these alternatives also raise questions about the durability of the product and its behavior in use. In addition, these alternatives are linked to the availability of raw materials, production costs and waste management associated with these new types of plastics.