Recycled bioplastics materials represent an environmentally sustainable choice for companies wishing to reduce the environmental impact of their operations.
This article aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of using recycled biopolymers and propose solutions for their sustainable management and production.
The future of recycled bioplastics will depend on the willingness of companies to invest in research and development of new technologies for waste production and management, as well as the availability of raw materials from renewable sources.
As a company that has been involved in recycled bioplastics for 10 years, Gianeco is very optimistic about the future. We are closely following current developments, such as the use of algae and fungi for the production of bioplastics, and we are personally involved in testing the properties of the bioplastic materials we recycle.
Traditional plastics, obtained from petroleum sources, have had a significant environmental impact because of its inability to degrade naturally. This means that traditional plastics can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, releasing toxic substances and harming wildlife.
Their use has led to pollution problems in the seas, soils and air, with negative consequences for ecosystem and human health.
In addition, the production of traditional plastics requires the use of large amounts of energy and nonrenewable resources, such as oil, natural gas and coal.
Thermoplastics react to heat by softening and thus acquiring a malleability that allows them to be moulded to form finished products and subsequently, they again acquire rigidity. (In theory, this process of heating, modelling and cooling could be repeated several times. In reality, this depends on the quality of the raw material being processed).
Thermosetting materials, on the other hand, react to heat by first softening and then hardening again thanks to a three-dimensional cross-linking process. In practice, it is through the combined effect of heat and pressure that thermosetting materials can be shaped. (these materials tend to decompose by carbonising when heated again).
Bioplastics are produced from renewable sources, such as corn, wheat, sugarcane , wood, plants, and organic waste. They can be produced through various processes, including bacterial fermentation, chemical synthesis, and biomass extraction.
These biological materials can be renewable and biodegradable, which means they can naturally degrade over time without harming the environment.
Bioplastics can be used for the production of items, such as cups, plates, cutlery, bottles, bags and packaging.
TPEs are produced using a combination of thermoplastic polymers and elastomers. These materials can be produced using a variety of production techniques, including extraction, compression moulding and casting. TPEs have a wide range of properties, including flexibility, abrasion resistance and tensile strength.
Using bioplastics can be a sustainable choice for businesses that want to reduce the environmental impact of their operations. Bioplastics can help reduce the accumulation of waste in the environment and reduce dependence on nonrenewable resources such as oil.
Finally, bioplastic materials can be recycled and used to make new products, reducing the environmental impact of producing new materials.
Gianeco is responsible for giving new life to bioplastics, which it reissues to the market with the Biogeo product family.
Bioplastics can replace traditional plastics in many uses, such as the production of packaging, food and beverage containers, shopping bags, clothing and fashion accessories.
There are many types of bioplastics, each with its own unique properties and specific applications. Of these, the two main types of bioplastics are PLA and PBAT.
PLA, or polylactic acid, is a bioplastic obtained from the fermentation of maize or potato starch. PLA is recyclable and biodegradable, with properties similar to those of traditional plastics.
PLA is often used to produce everyday items such as glasses, plates and cutlery.
PBAT, or polybutadiene adipate terephthalate, is a biopolymer used to produce biodegradable films and bags. PBAT is flexible, resistant and compostable.
There are many companies that use bioplastics for sustainable production.
For example, Coca-Cola uses biodegradable plastic bottles in some parts of the world, while Dell uses bioplastics for the production of some of its products. In addition, there are many small and medium-sized companies that use bioplastics for the production of packaging and disposable products.
The clothing brand Patagonia uses bioplastics for their textiles, while the cosmetics company Lush uses biopolymers for their packaging.
Ikea has introduced biodegradable PLA cups and plates in its restaurants, thus reducing the amount of traditional plastic used.
Furthermore, Nestlé has announced that it will only use recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025, which includes the use of bioplastics.
Bioplastics represent a key asset for companies that want to considerably reduce the environmental impact of their production. Regardless of company size, the introduction of bioplastics in their production process can generate important savings in terms of efficiency and environmental performance.
We explained how bioplastics can be recycled and, therefore, the waste from a polymer-based production can contribute to a circular economy that favours the long-term use of recycled biopolymers.
Gianeco has been dealing with recycled bioplastics and thermoplastic elastomers for a decade. With regard to biopolymers, it has developed the BIOGEO product family, which we invite you to consult.
Contact us for more information.
Recycled bioplastics materials represent an environmentally sustainable choice for companies wishing to reduce the environmental impact of their operations.
This article aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of using recycled biopolymers and propose solutions for their sustainable management and production.
The future of recycled bioplastics will depend on the willingness of companies to invest in research and development of new technologies for waste production and management, as well as the availability of raw materials from renewable sources.
As a company that has been involved in recycled bioplastics for 10 years, Gianeco is very optimistic about the future. We are closely following current developments, such as the use of algae and fungi for the production of bioplastics, and we are personally involved in testing the properties of the bioplastic materials we recycle.
Traditional plastics, obtained from petroleum sources, have had a significant environmental impact because of its inability to degrade naturally. This means that traditional plastics can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, releasing toxic substances and harming wildlife.
Their use has led to pollution problems in the seas, soils and air, with negative consequences for ecosystem and human health.
In addition, the production of traditional plastics requires the use of large amounts of energy and nonrenewable resources, such as oil, natural gas and coal.
Thermoplastics react to heat by softening and thus acquiring a malleability that allows them to be moulded to form finished products and subsequently, they again acquire rigidity. (In theory, this process of heating, modelling and cooling could be repeated several times. In reality, this depends on the quality of the raw material being processed).
Thermosetting materials, on the other hand, react to heat by first softening and then hardening again thanks to a three-dimensional cross-linking process. In practice, it is through the combined effect of heat and pressure that thermosetting materials can be shaped. (these materials tend to decompose by carbonising when heated again).
Bioplastics are produced from renewable sources, such as corn, wheat, sugarcane , wood, plants, and organic waste. They can be produced through various processes, including bacterial fermentation, chemical synthesis, and biomass extraction.
These biological materials can be renewable and biodegradable, which means they can naturally degrade over time without harming the environment.
Bioplastics can be used for the production of items, such as cups, plates, cutlery, bottles, bags and packaging.
TPEs are produced using a combination of thermoplastic polymers and elastomers. These materials can be produced using a variety of production techniques, including extraction, compression moulding and casting. TPEs have a wide range of properties, including flexibility, abrasion resistance and tensile strength.
Using bioplastics can be a sustainable choice for businesses that want to reduce the environmental impact of their operations. Bioplastics can help reduce the accumulation of waste in the environment and reduce dependence on nonrenewable resources such as oil.
Finally, bioplastic materials can be recycled and used to make new products, reducing the environmental impact of producing new materials.
Gianeco is responsible for giving new life to bioplastics, which it reissues to the market with the Biogeo product family.
Bioplastics can replace traditional plastics in many uses, such as the production of packaging, food and beverage containers, shopping bags, clothing and fashion accessories.
There are many types of bioplastics, each with its own unique properties and specific applications. Of these, the two main types of bioplastics are PLA and PBAT.
PLA, or polylactic acid, is a bioplastic obtained from the fermentation of maize or potato starch. PLA is recyclable and biodegradable, with properties similar to those of traditional plastics.
PLA is often used to produce everyday items such as glasses, plates and cutlery.
PBAT, or polybutadiene adipate terephthalate, is a biopolymer used to produce biodegradable films and bags. PBAT is flexible, resistant and compostable.
There are many companies that use bioplastics for sustainable production.
For example, Coca-Cola uses biodegradable plastic bottles in some parts of the world, while Dell uses bioplastics for the production of some of its products. In addition, there are many small and medium-sized companies that use bioplastics for the production of packaging and disposable products.
The clothing brand Patagonia uses bioplastics for their textiles, while the cosmetics company Lush uses biopolymers for their packaging.
Ikea has introduced biodegradable PLA cups and plates in its restaurants, thus reducing the amount of traditional plastic used.
Furthermore, Nestlé has announced that it will only use recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025, which includes the use of bioplastics.
Bioplastics represent a key asset for companies that want to considerably reduce the environmental impact of their production. Regardless of company size, the introduction of bioplastics in their production process can generate important savings in terms of efficiency and environmental performance.
We explained how bioplastics can be recycled and, therefore, the waste from a polymer-based production can contribute to a circular economy that favours the long-term use of recycled biopolymers.
Gianeco has been dealing with recycled bioplastics and thermoplastic elastomers for a decade. With regard to biopolymers, it has developed the BIOGEO product family, which we invite you to consult.
Contact us for more information.
