The Type Of Biodegradable Material

In 2019, bioplastic's total global production capacity reached 2.11 million tons11, accounting for 0.6% of the current global annual plastic production (359 million tons). 55.5% of bioplastics are biodegradable plastics, with a production capacity of about 1.17 million tons. There are more than 20 types of biodegradable plastics, but only three types are currently manufactured on a commercial scale, including starch-based plastics, polylactic acid (PLA), which is mainly made of plant starch, and dibasic acid dibasic acids, which are mainly made of petroleum by-products. Polyol copolymers (PBS, PBSA, PBAT, hereinafter referred to as PBS plastics). The combined production capacity of these three types of materials reaches 95% of all biodegradable plastics.

PLA is another type of biodegradable plastic that is mainly developed. It is relatively cheap and has relatively good physical properties. The global production capacity in 2019 is about 290,000 tons. The production of starch-based plastics and PLA relies on food crops such as potatoes, corn, sugar cane, or cassava. Although the plastic industry is researching the production of non-food crops, such as agricultural waste (corn stalks, bagasse, and other lignocellulose), or waste gas (carbon dioxide, methane) as raw materials, in the short-term food crops will still be the main raw material.

PBS plastics are biodegradable plastics polymerized from petroleum by-products, with a global production capacity of about 370,000 tons. From a technical point of view, PBS can be made from 100% bio-based raw materials, and PBAT can reach 50% bio-based. However, due to the immature industrialization of bio-based raw materials, PBS plastics from petrochemical sources are still mainstream in the market.

PBAT is a copolymer of butylene adipate and butylene terephthalate. It has the characteristics of both PBA and PBT. It has good ductility and elongation at break, as well as good heat resistance and impact performance. Therefore, a wide range of uses can be applied.

Data reference source:

1.Greenpeacehttps://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-taiwan-stateless/2021/03/eac47721-biodegradable-plastics_0219-1.pdf

2. MATERIALNET    https://www.materialsnet.com.tw/DocView.aspx?id=51046