Using Bio-based Materials to Make Plastic
Can plastic makers use bio-based raw materials to make plastic?
Yup.
Some of America’s Plastic Makers® are using bio-based raw materials to make plastic, which is used in…
- energy saving insulation
- durable, life-saving medical equipment
- lightweight car parts
- protective packaging
“Bio-based” refers to materials derived from renewable biological sources, such as plants or organic waste. Making plastic out of bio-based raw materials can help reduce our environmental footprint by lowering carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. And it can help companies meet sustainability goals.
Plastic makers have identified quite a few environmental benefits from using bio-based raw materials. For example: Braskem notes that since 2010, its bioplastic innovations have avoided CO2 emissions equivalent to driving an average European car 1.6 million times around the Earth.
And the bio-based raw material sources are quite varied: sugarcane ethanol, used cooking oil, castor beans, corn waste (stover: stalks and leaves), cellulose derived from trees, bio-based wastes and residual oils…
NOTE: Bio-based versus biodegradable.
Bio-based refers to the source of raw materials. Biodegradable refers to the ability of a material to be broken down naturally by organisms in an ecosystem.
Some bio-based plastic can degrade under controlled conditions. Done right, this can further contribute to sustainability.
BUT proper composting conditions are needed for bio-based plastic to biodegrade. In other words, these materials may not break down in nature. And today there are few composting facilities that accept bio-based plastic.
Many plastic makers are actively pursuing technological advances and increases in production of bio-based plastic. In fact, America’s Plastic Makers promote policies that support the growth of bio-based plastics. (Read more below.)
What Are America’s Plastic Makers Doing to Expand Use of Bio-based Plastic?
NOTE: These examples are not exhaustive, are intended for informational purposes only, and are self-reported by the companies. Follow links or contact the companies for more information.
Making bio-based plastic
As noted above, some of America’s Plastic Makers® are using bio-based raw materials to make plastic, which reduces their environmental footprint and helps meet sustainability goals.
So, who is making these bio-based plastics… and what are they used for? Check out some examples:
Supporting policies to boost bio-based plastic
America’s Plastic Makers promote public policy that supports the responsible growth of commercially available and viable bio-based plastics production.
Smart policies can bolster solutions that help American companies reach their sustainability goals more rapidly.
Check out our “Principles for Incorporation of Bio-based Plastics in Manufacturing.”
One of America’s Change Makers focuses on bio-based plastic
“I really have one of the best jobs in the world.”
As the global head of biotechnology at Braskem, a large plastics maker with facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Dan is on a mission to change the way plastic is made.
“We’re looking to revolutionize the plastics industry so that we see more bio-based products in things we use every day. My job and my team’s job is to transform not only Braskem but our entire industry towards renewable feedstocks [raw materials].”
Bio-based robots?
Global plastic maker Covestro answered the call when robot vacuum cleaner maker Roborock asked for materials with a lower carbon footprint without compromising on performance. The solution?
A combination of bio-mass-balanced plastic and post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic.
Bio-based, lightweight plastic in autos
Meet John from Trinseo, one of America’s Plastic Makers. He’s on a mission to enhance sustainability in the auto industry by incorporating recycled and bio-based materials in our cars and trucks. Collaboration between plastic makers and automakers is driving a more sustainable road ahead.
“Lightweighting has been a big part of plastics in automobiles for years. But the key now is that we’re taking those same plastics and adding recycled materials and biomaterials, more sustainable products, into the same vehicle.” Bio-based plastic policy: Get the facts!
Need an easily printed fact sheet on the policies that can support greater adoption of bio-based plastic? You’ve come to the right place.
Bio-based plastics have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas impacts and displace fossil resources with renewable resources throughout the supply chain. How? Get the facts.
