BIOPOLYMER

Biopolymer is natural polymer which are produced by living

organism
Its contain monomeric units that are covalently bonded to form
larger structure
There are three main classes of biopolymer based on the differing
monomeric units used and the structure of the biopolymer formed
(i)polynucleotide : long polymers composed of 13 or more
nucleotide monomers
(ii)polypeptides : short polymers of amino acids
(iii)polysaccharides : linear bonded polymeric carbohydrates
structure

Charactheristic of
materials

Synthetic polymers

Natural
biopolymers

Main Source

Petroleum and Gas

Biomass

Biodegradability

No/Slow

Yes

Structure

stochastic

Well defined

MW distribution

Polydisperse

Monodisperse

Chemical Backbone
Structure

Mostly Carbon

Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen

Conclusions

NOT renewable
source

Renewable source
Sustainable
production

Biopolymer uses

Biopolymers (also called renewable polymers) are produced from biomass for
use in the packaging industry.

Biomass comes from crops such as sugar beet, potatoes or wheat: when used
to produce biopolymers, these are classified as non food crops. These can be

converted in the following pathways:

Sugar beet > Glyconic acid > Polyglonic acid

Starch > (fermentation) > Lactic acid > Polylactic acid (PLA)

Biomass > (fermentation) > Bioethanol > Ethene > Polyethylene

Many types of packaging can be made from biopolymers: food trays, blown
starch pellets for shipping fragile goods, thin films for wrapping.

Polylactic acid (PLA)

Poly(lactic acid) or polylactide (PLA) is a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester
commonly made from a-hydroxy acids, derived from renewable resources,
such as
corn starch (in the United States),
tapioca products (roots, chips or starch mostly in Asia) or
sugarcanes (in the rest of world).
It can biodegrade under certain conditions, such as the presence of oxygen,
and is difficult to recycle.

PLA is not a polyacid (polyelectrolyte),

but rather a polyester

Applications
PLA is currently used in a number of biomedical applications,
such as sutures, stents, dialysis media and drug
delivery devices. The total degradation time of PLA is a few
years. It is also being evaluated as a material for tissue

engineering.

Because it is biodegradable, it can also be employed in the

preparation of bioplastic, useful for producing loose-fill
packaging, compost bags, food packaging, and disposable
tableware. In the form of fibers and non-woven textiles, PLA
also has many potential uses, for example as upholstery,
disposable garments, awnings, feminine hygiene products, and
diapers.

Due to PLA's relatively low glass

transition temperature, PLA cups
cannot hold hot liquids. However,
much research is devoted to
developing a heat resistant PLA

Biodegradable cups at a restaurant

Mulch film made of polylactic

acid (PLA)-blend bio-flex

Bioplastics from Microorganisms

Degradable polymers that are naturally degraded by the action of
microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae

Benefits

100 % biodegradable

Produced from natural,

renewable resources

Able to be recycled, composted

or burned without producing
toxic byproducts
Several legislations enacted but demand for bioplastics
have not increased

IMPORTANCE

2003- North America

107 billion pounds of synthetic
plastics produced from
petroleum
Plastic need huge amounts of
energy to create
Take >50 years to degrade
Improper disposal and failure
to recycle overflowing
landfills

Styrofoam

Need New Materials

Mushroom

Mycellium

Chitnous
Polymer

Insulate

Grow

Fire

Protect

Conclusions
Need for bioplastic optimization:
Economically feasible to produce
Cost appealing to consumers
Give our landfills a break