Synthesis and commercialization of bioplastics: Organic waste as a sustainable feedstock

Anjaly P Thomas; Vara Prasad Kasa; Brajesh Kumar Dubey; Ramkrishna Sen; Ajit K Sarmah

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167243

Synthesis and commercialization of bioplastics: Organic waste as a sustainable feedstock

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Dec 15:904:167243. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167243. Epub 2023 Sep 21.

Authors

Anjaly P Thomas¹, Vara Prasad Kasa¹, Brajesh Kumar Dubey², Ramkrishna Sen³, Ajit K Sarmah⁴

Affiliations

¹ Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India.
² Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur 721302, India. Electronic address: bkdubey@civil.iitkgp.ac.in.
³ Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India.
⁴ Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; The Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.

PMID: 37741416
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167243

Abstract

Substituting synthetic plastics with bioplastics, primarily due to their inherent biodegradable properties, represents a highly effective strategy to address the current global issue of plastic waste accumulation in the environment. Advances in bioplastic research have led to the development of materials with improved properties, enabling their use in a wide range of applications in major commercial sectors. Bioplastics are derived from various natural sources such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biopolymer synthesized by bacteria through microbial fermentation, exhibits physicochemical and mechanical characteristics comparable to those of synthetic plastics. In response to the growing demand for these environmentally friendly plastics, researchers are actively investigating various cleaner production methods, including modification or derivatization of existing molecules for enhanced properties and new-generation applications to expand their market share in the coming decades. By 2026, the commercial manufacturing capacity of bioplastics is projected to reach 7.6 million tonnes, with Europe currently holding a significant market share of 43.5 %. Bioplastics are predominantly utilized in the packaging industry, indicating a strong focus of their application in the sector. With the anticipated rise in bioplastic waste volume over the next few decades, it is crucial to comprehend their fate in various environments to evaluate the overall environmental impact. Ensuring their complete biodegradation involves optimizing waste management strategies and appropriate disposal within these facilities. Future research efforts should prioritize exploration of their end-of-life management and toxicity assessment of degradation products. These efforts are crucial to ensure the economic viability and environmental sustainability of bioplastics as alternatives to synthetic plastics.

Keywords: Biodegradation; Bioplastics; Organic waste; Polyhydroxyalkanoates; Polylactic acid; Sustainable material.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Biodegradation, Environmental
Biopolymers
Plastics / metabolism
Polyhydroxyalkanoates*
Waste Management*

Substances

Plastics
Biopolymers
Polyhydroxyalkanoates