4th International Conference on Sustainable Bioplastics November 10-11, 2016 Alicante, Spain

Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, or microbiota. Bioplastic can be made from agricultural byproducts and also from used plastic bottles and other containers using microorganisms. Common plastics, such as fossil-fuel plastics are derived from petroleum or natural gas. Production of such plastics tends to require more fossil fuels and to produce more greenhouse gases than the production of biobased polymers. Bioplastics are biobased, biodegradable, or both. The global bioplastics production capacity is set to grow 300%by 2018. Bioplastics have been designated a lead market by the European Commission. The bioplastic market’s immense growth will help drive the further evolution of a bioeconomy in Europe.

Microorganisms provide a source of bioplastics from renewable sources. These are polyesters that are widely distributed in nature and accumulate intracellular in microorganisms in the form of storage granules, with physico-chemical properties resembling petrochemical plastics. Production of bio-plastics from microalgae and many plant sources is been done these days. Algae produce a variety of base materials that can be used for bio-plastics production. Most important are carbohydrates and hydrocarbons. The algae Botryococcus Botryococcus braunii has the capacity to produce and excrete these materials into the medium. Annual market data update, which tell us that capacity will increase from around 1.6 million tones in 2013 to approximately 6.7 million tones in 2018.

Thermoplastic starch currently represents the most widely used bioplastic, constituting about 50 percent of the bioplastics market. Simple starch bioplastic can be made at home. Pure starch is able to absorb humidity, and is thus a suitable material for the production of drug capsules by the pharmaceutical sector. Cellulose bioplastics are mainly the cellulose esters, (including cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose) and their derivatives, including celluloid. Bio-derivation of polyethylene can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions considerably. The second generation bioplastics manufacturing technologies under development employ the "plant factory" model, using genetically modified crops or genetically modified bacteria to optimise efficiency. According to a new market research report “Biodegradable Plastics Market by Type (PLA, PHA, PBS, Starch-Based Plastics, Regenerated Cellulose, PCL), by Application (Packaging, Fibers, Agriculture, Injection Molding, and Others) - Global Trends & Forecasts to 2020” the biodegradable plastics market is projected to grow from more than USD 2.0 Billion in 2015 to USD 3.4 Billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 10.8% between 2015 and 2020.

Biocomposites are composite materials comprising one or more phases derived from a biological origin. In terms of the reinforcement, this could include plant fibres such as cotton, flax, hemp and the like, or fibers from recycled wood or waste paper, or even by-products from food crops. Cellulose macro- and nanofibers have gained increasing attention due to the high strength and stiffness, biodegradability and renewability, and their production and application in development of composites. Application of cellulose nanofibers for the development of composites is a relatively new research area. These nanostructures give the mechanical strength to higher plant cells, and are biodegradable, renewable, resistant, and widely available to produce nanocomposites with low density, and improved and controlled mechanical, optical, and barrier properties. Composites market to reach US$3.95 billion by 2016 $5.1 billion US high performance composite industry. It presents historical demand data for the years 2001, 2006 and 2011, and forecasts for 2016 and 2021.It is set to reach 74,740t in 2016, and 102,460t in 2020. This over-capacity could lead to maintaining competitive prices. Carbon fiber matrix composites are made 72% from epoxy.

A biomaterial is defined as a substance that has been engineered to take a form which, alone or as part of a complex system, is used to direct, by control of interactions with components of living systems, the course of any therapeutic or diagnostic procedure. Biopolymers are polymers produced by living organisms; in other words, they are polymeric biomolecules. Since they are polymers, biopolymers contain monomeric units that are covalently bonded to form larger structures. As a science, biomaterials are about fifty years old. The study of biomaterials is called biomaterials science. It has experienced steady and strong growth over its history, with many companies investing large amounts of money into the development of new products. Biomaterials science encompasses elements of medicine, biology, chemistry, tissue engineering and materials science. The global market for biomaterials is estimated at $44.0 billion in 2012 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 15% from 2012 to 2017 to reach $88.4 billion by 2017.

As a science, biomaterials are about fifty years old. The study of biomaterials is called biomaterials science. It has experienced steady and strong growth over its history, with many companies investing large amounts of money into the development of new products. Biomaterials science encompasses elements of medicine, biology, chemistry, tissue engineering and materials science. Though they still account for only a small share of the plastics market as a whole, bioplastics have become a real alternative to standard plastics manufactured from petrochemical feedstock’s. The term 'bioplastics' is utilized for a whole range of various products with different properties and applications. In its recently published study, the market research institute .Markets and Markets is a global market research and consulting company based in the U.S. at a period of 2012-2017. The global market for biomaterials is estimated at $44.0 billion in 2012 and is poised to grow at a CAGR of 15% from 2012 to 2017 to reach $88.4 billion by 2017.

In search of new material solutions and keeping an eye on the goal of sustainable production and consumption, bioplastics have several (potential) advantages. The use of renewable resources to produce bioplastics is the key for increasing resource efficiency, the resources can be cultivated on an (at least) annual basis, the principle of cascade use, as biomass can first be used for materials and then for energy generation, a reduction of the carbon footprint and GHG emissions of some materials and products - saving fossil resources, and for substituting them step by step. The research of Bioplastics used in various systems the North America market totaled $38.3 billion in 2013. This market should increase to about $40.2 billion in 2014 and should reach about $51.8 billion by 2019, demonstrating a CAGR of 5.2% from 2014 to 2019. The Latin American market totaled $3.4 billion in 2013. This market should reach almost $6.8 billion by 2019, a CAGR of 12.6% from 2014 to 2019.