CHNG2805 Assignment One Group One

Biopolymers Tutorial Two

Future Themes
Technological developments that have allowed the use of biopolymers now rather than before
The physical and chemical properties of biopolymers such as its durability and flexibility
Energy requirements and greenhouse gases production in biopolymers manufacturing
Applications of biopolymers in medicine and automotive industry
Comparisons of biopolymers funding and types of research in Asia, Europe and North
America
Relevant Background
Biopolymers development began in the 19th century by using casein protein and cellulose.
Biopolymers such as PLA are produced from the fermentation of the sugar in corn into lactic
acid which is then polymerized into polylactic acid. PHA and PHB are produced through
microorganisms processing carbohydrates.
Biopolymers have similar physical properties to petrochemical plastics such as polyethylene
and polypropylene of which are produced from the polymerization of monomers obtained
from crude oil distillation.
Biopolymers manufacturing as an alternative plastic began in 2001 by NatureWorks LLC
where annual production of PLA reached over 1 billion pounds in 2013.
Biopolymers are extensively used in medical applications due to their biodegradability,
malleability and biocompatibility. Incorporation of biopolymers in orthopedics, anchors,
screws, plates and pins enable a specific timeframe for biological breakdown inside the body.
Easy material processing, low melting point and high sticking ability are the benefits of using
biopolymers for 3D printing. (NatureWorks LLC, 2015)
Critical Analysis
The feedstock for biopolymers production are renewable sources such as corn, therefore biopolymers
are a viable long term alternative to petrochemical plastics. However, due to the rising global
population, the available arable land should be used for food production over biopolymers production.
Alternatively, using byproducts from other industries is possible but requires further research and study.
The similarity in physical properties of biopolymers to the conventional petrochemical alternatives
allow biopolymers to be used as common plastics while its biocompatible and biodegradable properties
can provide profound implications for the environment where the accumulation of waste in landfills
can be greatly reduced. The ability of biopolymers to degrade in the human body in specific timeframes
reduces the need for follow up surgeries to remove implants, therefore significantly decreases time and
costs for surgeons and patients.
Scale

Biopolymers production is projected to double from 1.5 percent of global production of

plastics in 2011 to 3 percent by 2020. (Plasticnews, 2015)
The bioplastics market is growing by more than 20% per year. (European Bioplastics, 2015)
The bioplastics market is growing at a compound annual rate of 14.5% with $US 3,688.6
million revenue estimated by 2018. (Research and Markets, 2014)

Critical Analysis
The data from European Bioplastics differ compared to Research and Markets regarding the bioplastics
industry growth. European Bioplastics could be presenting a slightly more optimistic growth rate as
they have greater interests in investment opportunities from others towards the industry.

Sustainability
Environment Key benefits of biopolymers use and production include biodegradability,
renewable feedstock, carbon neutrality with no greenhouse pollution and hydrolysis recycling
before degradation, where PLA is transformed back into lactic acid. NatureWorks LLC
manufactured PLA for the 2012 London Olympics and 120 million pieces of PLA packaging
was provided. The 8,500 tonnes of solid waste diverted from landfills as the PLA was able to
decompose in around nine weeks into fertilizer.
Economy Biopolymers production increases demands for farmers in agriculture and
promotes advancements in biopolymers research and technology, offering long term jobs and
creates overall growth for local economies and the entire biopolymers industry.
People Europe invests into different steps of the biotech investment chain and most public
funds go into basic research, whereas the USA and China are investing mostly in applied
research and demonstration. Consequently, market introduction of biotech products such as
bioplastics advances at a slower pace in Europe. (European Bioplastics, 2014)
Critical Analysis
Plastics have become a prominent material throughout the world necessary for daily life. As the large
demand for plastics continues, investment into biopolymers, and biopolymers share of the plastic
market, will continue to grow as governments and companies aim to minimize their carbon footprint.
This has been witnessed through the Plant Technology Corporation (PTC) a joint venture by CocaCola, Nike, Ford, Heinz and Proctor and Gamble which was established in 2012 to focus on a viable
bio-source of PET. Current biopolymers productions are relatively unsustainable compared to
petrochemical productions on the industrial scale, however quality technological research into
manufacturing processes and operating costs means biopolymers will be able to replace more
petrochemical polymers as time goes on.
Technology
Current research in biopolymers is focusing on additives to the polymer structure to improve
thermal and physical properties including elasticity and tensile strength. Mica is a mineral
additive found to improve thermal properties of PLA. Nano additives are being researched
including carbon nanotubes, graphene, and nanoclays.
NatureWorks LLC produced an altered structure of PLA to act as a biofriendly alternative to
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymer products. The new product has superior qualities to
ABS in resistance to household chemicals, oils and acetones.
Tissue engineering technology has brought new applications of biopolymers such as PLA,
PGA, PCL into the medical industry. Synthesis to specific properties and shapes occurs to
ensure compatibility for replacement of skin, cartilage and muscle.
Investigations have begun into using molasses, the sugar industry byproduct, as a carbon
source to produce PHB through bacteria Ralstonia Eutropha. This aims to reduce costs during
the biopolymers manufacturing process. (Bozorg et al. 2015)
Critical Analysis
The applications of biopolymers will continue to expand along with technological improvements
towards enhancing the structures and properties of biopolymers, this is evident in tissue engineering
where biopolymers are finding suitable medical applications. Other research also aims to reduce high
production costs allowing biopolymers to be an economically viable alternative to petrochemical
polymers.

References
(Bozorg et al. 2015),
Optimal Medium Composition to Enhance Poly-- hydroxybutyrate Production by Ralstonia eutropha Using Cane Molasses as
Sole Carbon Source, Applied Food Biotechnology, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 39 - 47
(European Bioplastics, 2014),
http://en.european-bioplastics.org/blog/2014/04/15/funding-and-developping-biotec-in-europe-a-lost-cause/
(European Bioplastics, 2015),
http://en.european-bioplastics.org/market/market-development/market-drivers/
(NatureWorks LLC, 2015),
http://www.natureworksllc.com/Product-and-Applications/3D-Printing
(Plasticnews, 2015),
http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20130307/NEWS/130309938/asia-south-america-to-get-lions-share-of-biopolymerinvestment
(Research and Markets, 2014),
Biopolymers and Bioplastics Market by Type, Application & Geography, Trends & Forecasts to 2018, Research and Markets,
Dublin, Ireland

(The Coca Cola Company, 2015),

http://www.coca-colacompany.com/sustainability/meet-our-partners-plant-pet-technology-collaborative