The World of Bioplastics

Dr. Jim Lunt

 Biobased & Biodegradable
Biobased Plastics
Major focus is on the “origin of life”
or where did the carbon come from
(ASTM D6866). Uses C14 content measurement.

Biodegradable (Compostable) Plastics

Focus is on “end of life or disposal.”
Independent of Carbon Source Standards
EN 13432 and ASTM D6400.

These two classes are, however,

not mutually exclusive.
Projected Biomaterials Trends
 Projected Biomaterials Trends

Global
Demand
for bioplastics will
increase more than
fourfold to

900,000
tonnes in
2013.
(Freedonia)
 Projected Biomaterials Trends

Global
Production
Global of bioplastics will
Demand increase sixfold to
for bioplastics will
increase more than
fourfold to
1.5
million
900,000 tonnes
tonnes in by 2011.
2013. up from 262,000
tonnes in 2007.
(Freedonia)
(European
Bioplastics)
 Projected Biomaterials Trends

Production
Global Capacity
Production of bio-based
Global of bioplastics will plastics is projected
Demand increase sixfold to to increase from
for bioplastics will 360,000 tonnes
in 2007 to about
increase more than
fourfold to
1.5
million 2.3
900,000 tonnes MILLION
metric tons by 2011. tonnes
in 2013. up from 262,000 by 2013.
tonnes in 2007.
(Freedonia)
(European
(European Bioplastics)
Bioplastics)
 Projected Biomaterials Trends
Increasing demand for biobased, durable products
in electronics and automotive applications.

By 2011 durables are expected to account

for almost 40% of bioplastics –
compared with 12% today.
(European Bioplastics)
Projected Biomaterials Trends

Bioplastics will still only be

1% of the approximate 230 million tonnes
of plastics in use today.
What is Driving
this Growth?

Oil Independence
Environmental
Pollution
Global Warming
Human Health
Concerns
Legislation
Legislation Against Petroleum Based Plastics
Key Legislative Initiatives for Bioplastics

Japan
Government has set a goal that 20% of all plastics
consumed in Japan will be renewably sourced by 2020.

Germany
Ban on land filling solid waste with over 5% organic content.
Biodegradable plastics exempt from the
recycling directive until 2012.
Savings of 1.3 €/kg in favor of compostable bioplastics.

USA
Federal Farm Bill - Energy Title 9
Each Federal agency must design a plan to purchase as
many biobased plastics as practically possible.
Federal procurement plan will be based on biobased
content, price and performance.
The Evolving Biobased Plastics Landscape
 Biobased Polymer Capacities
For Major Players
Product Company Location Capacity/mt Price/#

PLA Natureworks USA 140,000 0.85-1.20

PLA Hisun China 5,000 1.25

PHA’s Metabolix USA 300/50,000 2.50-2.75

(2010)

PHBH Meridian/Kaneka USA 150,000? n/a

PHBV Tianan China 2,000 2.40-2.50

Materbi Novamont Eu 75,000 2.0-3.0

Cereplast Cereplast USA 25,000 1.50-2.50

HDPE/LDPE Braskem SA 200,000 0.80-1.00

/PP (2010)
 The Biobased Leaders Today

WHO? WHAT?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

NatureWorks, Hisun PLA

Novamont Mater-Bi, Origo Bi
Cereplast Cereplast
Dupont BIOMAX (PTT, Plantic)
Tianjin Bio Green /DSM PHA
Tianan Biologic PHBV
Metabolix PHA
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Braskem Green Polyethylene

 Who May Be the
Biobased Leaders Tomorrow?
WHO? WHAT?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Braskem HDPE, LLDPE, PP

Dow/Crystalsev HDPE
DuPont PTT; PBT; Nylon 6,12
Arkema Nylon 11,Pebax
Durable BASF Nylon 6,10
Rohm & Haas Acrylics
Dow, Cargill Soy based urethanes
NatureWorks LLC PLA Blends
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Novamont Origo Bio

Degradable NatureWorks PLA
Metabolix PHA’s
DSM PHA’S
 Why The Change?
Continuing lack of infrastructure for use
and disposal of compostable plastics.

Many biobased plastics players too focused on

compostability as the key differentiating asset.

Increasing demand for biobased, semi durable

and durable products for household goods,
electronics and automotive applications.

Increasing interest and developments in existing

and new monomers from renewable resources.
 Key Compostable Bioplastics

…………………….……………………………………………………………
Starch/PLA/ECOFLEX Polylactic Acid (PLA)
O O
HO HO
OH OH
H H3C
CH3 H

L-Lactic Acid D-Lactic Acid

(0.5%)

Compounded
Biobased Compostable 100% Renewable & Compostable
Compostable Bioplastics
Second Generation

Poly Hydroxy Alkanoates

(PHA’s)
Compostable Bioplastics Do Not Yet
Meet the Needs for Durables

Areas of Concern
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………

…………………….……………………………..… …………

…………………….……………………………..… …………
Starch Blends PLA PHA’S

Hydrolytic stability Hydrolytic Stability Hydrolytic Stability

Distortion Temp Distortion Temp

(amorphous)
Vapor Transmission Vapor Transmission
Shelf Life Shelf Life Shelf Life
Impact Resistance Processability
Melt Strength Melt Strength
Economics
 Other Durable Bioplastics
Are Appearing
Polyethylene from Sugar Cane

Nylon 6 from Lycine

PET from Sugar

Polyurethane Using Soy Based Alcohols

Increasing Synergism with the Biofuels Initiatives

 Next Generation of
Bioplastic “Building Blocks"
Monomers from Sugar / Cellulosic Biomass
…………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Succinic acid (DSM, Bioamber, Roquette, Mitsubishi Chemical)

3-hydroxy propionic acid (Cargill, Codexis)
Acrylic acid (Ceres, Rohm & Haas)
Aspartic acid (China)
Levulinic acid (China)
Sorbitol (Cargill, ADM, Roquette)
Ethylene/ethylene glycol (Braskem, India Glycols)
Propylene/propane 1,3 diol (Braskem, DuPont / Tate & Lyle)
Butylene/butane diol (Genomatica)
Lysine/caprolactam (Draths)
Terephthalic acid (Gevo)
Adipic acid
Isoprene (Goodyear, Genenco)
FDCA- Avantium
 Next Generation of
Bioplastic “Building Blocks"

Monomers / Intermediates from Vegetable Oils

……………...………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Glycerol
Acrylic acid (Arkema)
Propane, 1,2 diol (ADM)
Soy based polyols (Dow, Cargill)
Castor oil / 12 hydroxy stearic acid (India)
Amino undecanoic acid (Atofina)
 The Future For Bioplastics
Will Depend On…

Expanding from Single Use Compostable

to Durable Applications

Transitioning from Oil Based to Renewable Feedstocks

Addressing Issues –
Sociological,, Environmental & Political
Sociological

Composting/Recycling
Composting/Recycling Infrastructure Developments
Thank You