Bioplastics: Uses and Applications
American venture capital is not a relic of the bygone “dot com” era. Bioplastics firm Novomer has raised US$14 million in venture capital, bringing the company’s venture capital funding to $21 million. Novomer makes a product called “sacrificial binder” used to make bioplastic from recycled, captured CO2 and CO pollution. The company is working on applications that would be useful to large numbers of consumers. The latest infusion of venture capital will prepare Novomer for “broad commercialization.” Read more about Venture Capital in the Energy Industry Report
Bioplastics, which are plastics made from organic materials, are made from organic sources like cornstarch, pea starch, or vegetable oil. Bioplastics are particularly popular for disposable items like packaging and food serving utensils. Bioplastics have already been used in shopping bags. They can be reused, and when they reach the end of their usefulness, they can be used as organic waste and be composted.
Bioplastics can be used in non-disposable applications as well, such as cell phone housing, pipes, car interiors and carpet fibers. While these items are not touted for their biodegradability, they are acknowledged for using sustainable resources. Bioplastics are used in Europe as packaging material, and Japan has used them in electronic equipment and cars.
About half the bioplastics on the market are made of thermoplastic starch, like the one called “Plastarch.” Plastarch is the most widely used bioplastic. It absorbs humidity, so it is finding application in the production of drug capsules. Adding plasticizers like glycerine and sorbitol in varying levels can change the characteristics of the bioplastic.
Polylactic acid as a bioplastic made from cane sugar that looks and behaves like petrochemical plastic and can be processed on the same equipment that is already used for conventional plastic production. This type of plastic is used to make bottles, cups, and other packaging materials.
A polymer called PHB is made from bacteria that processes glucose or starch. This technology is growing in importance in South America, where sugar is widely grown. PHB plastic is transparent, is biodegradable, and has a melting point higher than 130 degrees Centigrade.
PA 11 is made from natural oils, and emission of greenhouse gases during production are low. It is used for airbrake tubing, anti-termite sheathing for cable, flexible pipes, and catheters. Bio-derived polyethylene is the same as non-bio-derived polyethylene, but begins life from sugar cane or corn. Though it doesn’t biodegrade, it can be recycled, and production is low on emissions of greenhouse gases.
One big question that people worldwide, particularly Europeans raise is that of using genetically modified crops to make bioplastics. Europeans are strongly against it, and some European retailers refuse to use bioplastics made in the US because there is currently no way to guarantee that genetically modified crops have not been used in US bioplastics.
Read more about Venture Capital in the Energy Industry Report
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