DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

LITERATURE REVIEW

COURSE
Ch. E-318 Community-Research Project

SUBMITTED TO
Dr. Farhan Ahmad

SUBMITTED BY

Muzamil Afzal 2020-CH-22

Muhammad Hassan Tahir 2020-CH-24
Muneeba Nawaz 2020-CH-30
Ahmad Irfan 2020-CH-56
 Table of Contents
LITERATURE REVIEW...............................................................................................................3
What is Bioplastic?..........................................................................................................................3
History of Bioplastics......................................................................................................................3
Conventional Plastics......................................................................................................................3
Environmental Impact....................................................................................................................4
Degradation.....................................................................................................................................5
Advantages of Bioplastics:..............................................................................................................6
Future of Bioplastics.......................................................................................................................6
Classification of Bioplastic based on the biodegradability:.........................................................6
Classifications of Bioplastics based on the feedstock generations:.............................................7
 LITERATURE REVIEW

What is Bioplastic?
Plastics made from renewable biomass sources, such as plant fats and oils, maize
starch, straw, woodchips, sawdust, and recovered food waste, are known as bioplastics.
Some bioplastics are made by processing polysaccharides (such as starch, cellulose,
chitosan, and alginate) and proteins (such as soy protein, gluten, and gelatin) directly from
natural biopolymers. Other bioplastics are made chemically from sugar derivatives (such as
lactic acid) and lipids (such as oils and fats) from either plants or animals, or biologically by
fermentation of sugars or lipids. Contrarily, conventional plastics like Petro-based polymers
(also known as fossil-fuel plastics) are made from natural gas or petroleum.[4]

History of Bioplastics
Polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB), today regarded as the first known bioplastic created
from bacteria, was discovered by French chemist Maurice Lemoigne in 1926.[3]
Unfortunately, his finding was ignored for a number of decades since petroleum was
plentiful and affordable and pollution was not yet seen as a serious issue.[5] In order to
produce various automotive components, Henry Ford began using bioplastics manufactured
from soy oil in 1930. After World War II, however, he ceased utilizing it as synthetic
polymers became more prevalent and affordable. A petroleum crisis in the 1970s led to a
rise in interest in finding alternatives to oil as a raw material since oil was becoming more
and more costly and scarce.

Novamont received funding in 1990. They are the producer of bioplastics at the
moment. Its signature line of compostable and biodegradable bioplastics is called
MATER-BI. The first seaweed-based bioplastics were created in 2010. This is a
significant advance since seaweed may be grown without the need of chemical pesticides,
fertilizers, or land. The resultant bioplastic is strong, hard, and biodegradable, turning into
natural fertilizer at the end of its life cycle. Today, organizations and labs of various sizes
continue their study in the area. Many of them already manufacture compostable and
biodegradable substitutes for polymers made from petroleum. As public awareness of
environmental issues grows, consumers and even businesses choose to buy safer and more
ecologically friendly goods.[6]

Conventional Plastics
Because of their affordability, toughness, and adaptability, synthetic polymers
called plastics are utilized extensively throughout a broad range of sectors. Petrochemicals
including crude oil, natural gas, and coal are used to make traditional plastics.
These polymers may linger in the environment for hundreds of years and are not
biodegradable, which puts human health and the ecosystem at risk.
Bioplastics, on the other hand, are produced from renewable resources including
potato, sugarcane, and maize starch. Because they can be recycled, composted, and
biodegraded, bioplastics are a more environmentally friendly choice than traditional
plastics.
According to its characteristics and intended uses, conventional plastics are divided
into six types. Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and Polyurethane (PU) are the
materials that fall under these categories.
These polymers are employed in many different industries, including packaging,
textiles, building materials, automobiles, and electronics. However, traditional plastics
represent a serious risk to the environment and to human health since they are not
biodegradable. These plastics have the potential to degrade into tiny particles known as
microplastics, which may impair both human health and marine life by entering the food
chain
On the other hand, there are two types of bioplastics: bio-based and biodegradable,
which are created from renewable resources. Plant-based materials including maize,
sugarcane, and potato starch are used to create bio-based polymers. These polymers may
be used in comparable applications, such packaging, textiles, and construction, and they
have many of the same qualities as traditional plastics. The biodegradability of bioplastics
over conventional plastics is one of its key benefits.
Environmental Impact
Since the 1950s, over 8,300 million metric tons of plastic have been generated by
humans, the great majority of which has been discarded as garbage. 79% of that plastic
garbage has accumulated on land and in the water, damaging the ecosystem, the food
chain, and eventually ourselves. Only 9% of it has been recycled, and 12% of it has been
burned.[6]

There are an increasing number of "bioplastics" on the market today, most of

which are composed of the polysaccharide substance cellulose, which comes from
plants. However, the plants from which the polysaccharides are generated must be
grown on a huge scale, placing extra burden on the environment and our food supply.
These polymers also lack the strength and flexibility of conventional petroleum-based
plastics. The effects of plastic contamination are difficult to predict. With recent
initiatives to lessen plastic's global effect, it is clear that there is an urgent need for
 creative remedies to this problem. The figures are dreadful. According to National
Geographic, coastal countries release roughly 8 million tons of plastic debris into the
ocean each year. That would be the equivalent of cleaning every foot of shoreline on
the planet with five trash bags full of trash.

The apparent answer is to cease using plastics, but given their affordability and
adaptability, this is almost impossible. Due to their accessibility and versatility,
polyolefins are unquestionably overused in the packaging industry and have grown to
be indispensable. These polymers are often used because of their affordability and ease
of sterilization, making them difficult to replace, for instance in the medical industry. In
1950, there were just 2 million tons of plastic manufactured worldwide; in 2018, that
number was 359 million tons.[7]

Degradation
In terms of decomposition and environmental reintegration, bioplastics are often
thought to be better than conventional plastics. The smaller and smaller pieces of
traditional plastic never "return to nature" (or break down into natural products such as
carbon dioxide, water, methane, or compost), even though the larger plastic can be
recycled and some degrade through a process where additives cause the larger plastic to
break down into smaller and smaller plastic pieces. Overall, it has been shown that the
lifespan of bioplastics generates less emissions than the lifecycle of typical plastics,
despite certain processes having high emissions and the inclusion of potentially
dangerous compounds and byproducts. When compared to the manufacture of
conventional plastics, the development of bioplastics is thought to have less of an adverse
effect on the environment and to save more nonrenewable energy and its sources.
However, nitrate and phosphate levels in waterbodies may rise as a result of the
manufacture of bioplastics, particularly those made from agricultural biomass.
Eutrophication, a condition when a body of water acquires an excessive richness of
nutrients, may result from this rise. When the increasing use of fertilizers and pesticides
during crop production and the usage of chemical processing to convert the biomass into
bioplastic are taken into consideration, using agricultural biomass as a source for
bioplastics might also present challenges.

Despite this, plastic products still end up in landfills and contribute to

pollution. It is anticipated that bioplastics will aid in this by decomposing into natural
materials that lessen the burden on landfills and damage to ecosystems and animals.
Depending on the plastic, these natural things include compost, carbon dioxide, and
water.[8] Due to their rich microbial habitats, bioplastics breakdown most effectively in
compost conditions. Due to the variety of microorganism’s present, they will also decay
 well in soil conditions, however this process takes longer and needs higher temperatures
than compost environments. Additionally, bioplastics break down more quickly than
conventional plastics. However, the end product of the degradation results in the death of
aquatic species and may produce water that is harmful.[9]
Advantages of Bioplastics:
 They reduce carbon footprint.
 They providing energy savings in production.
 They do not involve the consumption of non-renewable raw materials.
 Their production reduces non-biodegradable waste that contaminates the environment.
 They do not contain additives that are harmful to health, such as phthalates or bisphenol
A.
 They do not change the flavor or scent of the food contained.
Application of Bioplastic:
 Packaging materials

 Agricultural mulch film

 Disposable cutlery

 Shopping bags

 Medical implants

 3D printing filament

 Textiles

 Food packaging

 Cosmetic packaging

 Fishing nets

Future of Bioplastics
Being a part of the bioplastics (and plastic substitute) sector at this time is thrilling.
With the rate at which new technologies and uses are being created, there is a real chance
that the world may move away from the negative effects of plastics. Although the delayed
uptake of bioplastic technology is concerning, change is happening faster. According to
Bioplastics Magazine, worldwide patent activity is at its greatest level in over two
decades.[11] Patents are a reliable predictor of upcoming developments. The 16th EUBP
Conference in Berlin was covered by Bioplastics Magazine, which forecasts that European
output would more than treble over the next five years. Although the risks are great, this
industry has the potential to save the planet's future. With the help of their cutting-edge
technology, certain industry titans are reshaping the Bioplastics landscape.
 Classification of Bioplastic based on the biodegradability
The most common categorization of bioplastic distinguishes between materials that
are bio-based and/or biodegradable. A material's capacity to biodegrade and compost is
totally based on its chemical makeup and is unaffected by where it came from. Plastics
may be categorized into four types depending on their biodegradability and number of
biobased materials. [13]

Group 1: Non-biodegradable bioplastics with a biobased or partly biobased

composition, such as bio-PE, bio-PET, bio-PA, and bio-PTT.

Group 2: Biobased and biodegradable bioplastics such starch-based blends, PLA, PHA, and PBS.

Group 3: Traditional PE, PP, and PET are examples of non-biodegradable and fossil-
based bioplastics.

Group 4: fossil-based and biodegradable bioplastics, such PBAT and PCL.

Classifications of Bioplastics based on the feedstock generations

Based on the kinds of feedstock utilized for production, there are now three
generations of bioplastics. Figure 1 shows the categorization of bioplastics with pertinent
examples. There are benefits and drawbacks to each generation of bioplastics. Therefore,
developing suitable modification techniques to fit various applications requires a thorough
knowledge of the characteristics of bioplastics.
Conclusion
In summary, biodegradable plastics offer a promising alternative to traditional
plastics, with the potential to mitigate environmental pollution and reduce the carbon
footprint associated with plastic production and disposal. However, their widespread
adoption and effectiveness depend on proper disposal methods, industry standards, and
ongoing research to ensure they meet sustainability goals while minimizing unintended
environmental consequences.
REFERENCES
[1] P. G. Scott, “Plastics packaging and coastal pollution,” Int. J. Environ. Stud.,
vol. 3, no. 1– 4, pp. 35–36, 1972.

[2] F. Martins, C. Felgueiras, and M. Smitková, “Fossil fuel energy consumption in

European countries,” Energy Procedia, vol. 153, pp. 107–111, 2018.

[3] J. Yaradoddi et al., “Biodegradable plastic production from fruit waste material
and its sustainable use for green applications,” Int. J. Pharm. Res. Allied Sci, vol.
5, no. 4, pp. 72– 81, 2016.
[4] H.-J. Endres, “Bioplastics,” Biorefineries, pp. 427–468, 2019.

[5] S. Pathak, C. Sneha, and B. B. Mathew, “Bioplastics: Its Timeline Based

Scenario & Challenges,” 2014, doi: 10.12691/JPBPC-2-4-5.

[6] J. H. Song, R. J. Murphy, R. Narayan, and G. B. H. Davies, “Biodegradable and

compostable alternatives to conventional plastics,” Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond.
B. Biol. Sci., vol. 364, no. 1526, pp. 2127–2139, Jul. 2009, doi:
10.1098/RSTB.2008.0289.

[7] F. Muneer, H. Nadeem, A. Arif, and W. Zaheer, “Bioplastics from biopolymers:

an eco- friendly and sustainable solution of plastic pollution,” Polym. Sci. Ser. C,
vol. 63, pp. 47– 63, 2021.