Bioplastics definitions

According to the definition by Japan BioPlastic Association (JBPA), there are two types of so-called GreenPla. One is biodegradable plastic, which means that the plastic will be completely decomposed into H2O and CO2 by environmental... 

The combination of PDMS and urease enzyme to form a microreactor from the resulting "bioplastic" material (PDMS-E) has been reported previously (7). When enzyme concentrations were maintained at 2.5% (w/w) or less, the resulting microreactor cured with good structural integrity and high definition (e.g., well-formed microchannels and >90% retention of triangular transverse packing features in the microchannels). 

The language used to describe these new (or sometimes old ) materials can be confusing, and too often is misused. One particularly problematic term is bioplastics. One common definition for bioplastics is plastics that are either biodegradable or made from renewable sources a clear recipe for confusion. We will not use this term. Rather, we will use the term biobased plastics to refer to plastics made from biological sources (typically plants). The plastics may be made directly by biological organisms (e.g., polyhydroxyalkanoates) or by chemical polymerization of monomers made from such sources (e.g., polylactide). Plastics may also be partially biobased (such as the CocaCola PlantBottle made from PET that is partially biobased). 

Although the above definition describes bio-based plastics rather unambiguously, some confusion still can be noticed, mainly due to the use of the inaccurate term bioplastics . The prefix bio- in bioplastics sometimes is used not to indicate the origin of the material ( biobased ) but to express a bio -functionality of the material, in general either biodegradability or biocompatibility. 

Sustainability has many definitions. One way to think of it is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development held by the United Nations in 1983). The concept of sustainability is that we should synchronize our consumption of natural resources with the Earth s production - in other words, using up natural resources at the same rate at which they are produced. Compared to traditional polymers typically made from petroleum and other fossil resources such as natural gas, sustainable polymers are fuUy or partially biobased and/or biodegradable or compostable. They are bioplastics made from renewable resources (biomass) and can be broken down faster than traditional plastics. Sustainable polymers could also protect our Earth by offering a reduced carbon footprint, a reduced use of fossil resources, and improved end-of-life options. 

If we now consider prototypical chemistry-related issues from the debate about sustainable development and green chemistry many of them meet these criteria. Chemistry-related issues of sustainable development, like a more intense production and use of alternative fuels or bioplastics, are discussed in mass media. Regulations on their use will potentially have an impact on the students consumer choices. The use of alternative fuels or bioplastics is still controversial pro and con arguments are given in societal debate and can be used in students open debate. And, finally, these issues are definitely questions of chemistry and technology corresponding arguments are used in public debate. 

On the down side, there is definitely the lower stiffness of 20 GPa versus, say, 70 GPa for glass fibers and the reduced thermal processing window, excluding higher melting polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate, for instance. However, for most bioplastics with melting points below 200°C, this is usually not a problem. Thirdly, but less critically, composite preparation is affected by the hydrophilic nature of rayon. 

According to Comite Europeen de Normalisation/ Comite Europeen de Normalisation en filectronique et en Electrotechnique (CEN/CENELEC) Technical Specification TC 249 WI [11], bioplastics (and biopolymers as well) can be either biobased or biodegradable, or both. We refer to this definition when using the term bioplastics throughout the chapter. 

The renewable origin of bioplastics is seen as their major environmental asset in comparison with traditional plastics. This has an effect on GHG emissions and generally reduces GWP. However, this aspect is extremely complex and involves several methodological and modelling aspects in the product life cycle. Many findings from published comparative LCA show controversial data, depending on the system boundary definition and the assumptions made in modelling and the impact calculation... 

The success of such highly innovative products is linked to the achievement of high quality standards. In the field of bioplastics, quality mainly means environmental quality. Standardisation Committees at national and international level have been working for many years in the definition of standard test methods to assure the biodegradability and full environmental compatibility of the new bio-plastics. Standards such as the European EN 13432 on the compostability of packaging (CEN TC261SC4WG2) and other related norms at international level are now in place, whereas standards on biodegradation of bioplastics in soil are still under discussion. 

Many definitions have been attributed to bioplastic materials however, no definitive definition has been maintained. 

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