What actually is bioplastic?
Bioplastic refers both to plastic sourced from organic biomass and to biodegradable plastics (including compostable plastics) which may be derived from petrochemicals.
1%*
The proportion of bioplastics in global annual plastic production
Biodegradable and compostable bioplastics are regulated by standards and must meet certain criteria in terms of the non-toxicity of the soil and speed of biodegradation. Innovating in the production of compostable bioplastics means providing an alternative solution to recycling, by offering an environmentally-friendly end-of-life disposal solution for thin, multi-layered or soiled non-recyclable plastics.
*Source : European Bioplastics 2019
Unlimited cycle with raw material regeneration
Sugar cane or corn harvest provide starch, basic ingredient for biobased and biodegradable products
Biobased and biodegradable materials are then used for multiple applications : bags, disposable tableware, cups…
Once used, the product goes to compost where biodegradation process will occur, thanks to enzymes and microorganisms activity
Compost is in the end used as a plant fertilizer, supplying lands in nutriments and mineral elements, improving its quality and health
PLA + Evanesto® = Universal Composting
PLA is both bio-sourced and biodegradable; it is derived from renewable resources such as corn or sugar cane. It is not in competition with food for human consumption or animal feed. Today, the total production of plant-based bioplastics represents:
0.016%*
of all agricultural land*
Even if bioplastic production were to increase a hundred-fold over the next few years, competition with agricultural land would be virtually non-existent and, on the contrary, would represent a significant opportunity for farmers. The only downside is PLA’s limited compostability as it is only possible in industrial facilities. But that was before! Thanks to Evanesto®, Carbiolice’s latest innovation, all types of PLA are now suitable for home composting!
*Source : European Bioplastics 2019
Biosourced bioplastic is entirely natural, made from plants such as corn, potato or sugar cane. Some biosourced plastics are not biodegradable such as bio-PET.
A plastic is biodegradable when it can be broken down by the action of living organisms in the right conditions (temperature, humidity, light, oxygen, etc.) and meets the EU standard EN 13432
A material is compostable when it biodegrades under specific conditions (time, temperature etc.). In industrial composting facilities, the biodegradation time must be less than 6 months at 58 ± 2°C. In home composting conditions, it must be less than a year at ambient temperature.
Even plastics difficultly recyclable can have an eco-responsible end-of-life, creator of economic and environmental value
If we replace resources-consuming conventional plastics by biobased alternatives, we drastically reduce their impact on the environment.
Integrating such plastics into biowastes provides a local, universal solution to waste management issues.
Moreover, bioplastics ending into composting facilities allow to close the carbon loop of plastics, thanks to compost by-products (CO2 emitted during bioplastic production goes back to Earth with compost)
Combined with separate collection of biowastes, extra 20 to 30% of our bins content can be valued during end-of-life processes, giving a total of 50% of our domestic bins.
In the end, we are able to create a virtuous circle around plastic products’ lifecycle, and accompanying people in their willingness to change the way they consume plastic in their everyday life.
