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Biodegradable Polymers: Contributing to a Sustainable Future
21 October 2021Marifaith Hackett, Ph.D.
Biodegradable polymers are plastics that undergo microbial
decomposition to carbon dioxide and water within specific time
limits. These polymers may be 100% bio-based (that is, derived from
renewable feedstocks such as corn, sugarcane, wood, or vegetable
oil), 100% petrochemical-based (that is, derived from fossil fuels
such as oil or natural gas), or anything in between.
At present, biodegradable polymers represent a small part of the
global thermoplastics market. In 2020, global consumption of
biodegradable polymers made up less than a quarter of one percent
(less than 0.25%) of total thermoplastics consumption. Nonetheless,
their potential to contribute to a more sustainable future is
significant. The use of biodegradable polymers in shopping bags,
drinking straws, coffee capsules, mulch films, and other
hard-to-recycle applications can prevent plastic waste in the
environment, support the diversion of organic waste from landfill,
and reduce our carbon footprint.
To be clear, biodegradable polymers are not the only path to
sustainability. We will need every tool in the
toolbox—including chemical and mechanical recycling of
conventional thermoplastics—to build a waste-free circular
economy. Biodegradable polymers are an integral part of the tool
kit.
Starch compounds dominate global demand for biodegradable
polymers, which totaled 854,000 metric tons in 2020. Most starch
compounds are combinations of corn starch and polybutylene adipate
terephthalate (PBAT), sometimes with a small amount of polylactic
acid (PLA). Second in importance is PLA and its compounds,
typically with PBAT. As the bar chart shows, the preference for
starch compounds is especially strong in the two largest consuming
regions—Northeast Asia and Western Europe. In North America and
the rest of the world, the preference is for PLA and its
compounds.
Northeast Asia—Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and
Taiwan—has the highest consumption growth rate: greater than
37%/year on average during 2020-25. For comparison, the predicted
consumption growth rate for the world is almost 29% during the
forecast period. The expected consumption growth rates in other
regions are 5-7%/year on average.
Food packaging and bags are the major end uses for biodegradable
polymers. Within the food packaging category, the largest
application is shopping bags; other applications include produce
bags and food service ware—cold cups, drinking straws,
utensils, and clamshell containers. Compost bags—bin liners and
garbage bags—make up the second largest end-use category.
Although shopping and produce bags often have a second life as
organic waste bags, they are not included in this category.
The main demand drivers for biodegradable polymers are
regulations and corporate initiatives. In this context,
"regulation" usually means "ban". National bans on plastic shopping
bags, notably in Europe and Mainland China, drive demand for
biodegradable polymers in those regions. Other bans target produce
bags, drinking straws, utensils, and other single-use plastic
products. Regulations that prohibit food and yard waste in landfill
support the consumption of compost bags made of biodegradable
polymers.
Corporate sustainability initiatives also drive demand. In
response to consumer interest in environment-friendly products,
major companies have switched to biodegradable drinking straws,
compostable hot cups, biodegradable tea bags, and compostable
coffee pods, all made with biodegradable polymers.
The biodegradable polymers industry faces formidable challenges,
including:
Lack of industrial composting infrastructure.
Most biodegradable polymer products require industrial composting
at the end of life; few are suitable for home compost piles. Many
places lack infrastructure for industrial composting, including
organic waste segregation and collection systems as well as
composting facilities that can process both food and yard
waste.
Anaerobic digestion of organic waste.
Increasingly, organic waste is processed in anaerobic digestion
plants to produce biogas for energy. Some anaerobic digestion
plants are incapable of processing compostable plastics.
Incomplete biodegradation of biodegradable polymers
under "real world" conditions, as opposed to laboratory test
conditions. Process modifications such as longer
processing times for composting may be necessary.
Education. Recycling plastics has become a way
of life for many consumers and businesses; composting organic waste
is at an earlier stage of adoption.
Despite these challenges, biodegradable polymers have a role to
play in addressing global sustainability issues. To paraphrase
David Attenborough, we have an obligation to future generations to
leave behind a planet that is healthy and habitable for all.
Biodegradable polymers are part of the solution.
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Posted 21 October 2021 by Marifaith Hackett, Director, Specialty Chemicals, IHS Markit