Bioplastics: Food vs. sustainability - The debate continues

Abstract

The impetus towards reducing global dependence on non-renewable fossil fuel-based resources, especially in the synthesis of plastics, has expedited research and development on bioplastics. Bioplastics, as they are termed, are derived from natural resources with expedited renewability compared to oil reserves, formed after millions of years. Till date, almost all research on bioplastics has focused on food-based precursors, especially on sugars, vegetable fats and oils, and corn starch. Despite advocating reduction in our dependence on fossil fuel-based resources and enhancing use of renewable resources, these bioplastics challenge the true definition of sustainability by instigating debates on "food versus sustainability." This research presents a scientific analysis of results from research on pine oil-based cross-linkable biopolymers. In particular, functional properties of cross-linked biofoams are investigated with the objective of enhancing their cost/performance competitiveness to make them useful for a wide range of industrial applications, including in the automotive sector. This study then undertakes a detailed discussion on various strategies for foaming of cross-linked biopolymers and blends on the influence of microstructure on property and performance characteristics of these novel, low-density and truly sustainable structural materials. Copyright 2016 by Clemson University. Published by CAMX - The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo.