Sustainable agriculture is relatively a relatively different practice which rather than relying on a single or two crops in industrial monoculture, advocates a way of farming that produces high-quality purpose-grown energy crops while on one side are critical to accelerating a clean energy bioeconomy and on the other side protecting the environment and improving the lives of farmers and their communities.
In modern agricultural trends, sustainable farming practices include growing different types of crops in a sequence on the same land, Organic farming, agroforestry, sustainable livestock farming and most importantly producing crops for making biodegradable products most commonly bioplastics and biodegradable plastics. Such crops contain Poly Lactic Acid PLA which is a thermoplastic monomer derived from renewable, organic sources such as corn starch or sugar cane etc.
This study will therefore focus on producing crops which are used in making biodegradable or bioplastics. We have also a detailed study on bioplastics and biodegradable plastics in our blog.
What are Bioplastics, Biodegradable Plastics and Compostable Plastics
Bio-based feedstocks are raw materials of biological origin grown and naturally replenished at a human time scale. These can be produced from grown crops (first-generation, such as maize, rapeseed, etc.) or organic residuals and waste (second-generation, such as agricultural waste, frying oils, manure, etc.).
Plastics with attributed bio-based content are called bioplastics.
On the other hand, biodegradable polymers can be used to create plastic materials and applications accessible for microbial consumption, meaning decomposition by naturally occurring (micro) organisms. Therefore, the common characteristic of all biodegradable plastic applications is to achieve microbial conversion of all its organic constituents to carbon dioxide, new microbial biomass and mineral salts under toxic conditions or to carbon dioxide, methane, new microbial biomass and mineral salts under anoxic conditions.
There is a technical difference between compostable and environmentally biodegradable plastic applications. These two plastic application types have different biodegradation needs, end-of-life receiving environments and sustainability value propositions.
Apparently, both biodegradable and compostable plastics can break down or “biodegrade” when microorganisms digest these materials, but there are important differences between these two terms.
Biodegradable plastics break down completely into substances found in nature at a specific end of life point. While compostable plastic also biodegrades, in a specifically designed domestic or industrial composting facilities. Compositing facilities enable specific conditions like temperature and moisture to turn the plastic into usable soil conditioner.
Where are Bioplastics Applied
Bioplastics today are primarily found in the following market segments.
- Packaging
- Food services
- Agriculture
- Consumer electronics
- Automotive
- Consumer goods and household appliances
- Toys
Currently, packaging is the leading market segment for bioplastics. Recently, automotive and consumer electronics are continuously coming up with new bioplastic applications. In near future, bioplastics will become visible in the sports equipment, toys sectors and in construction industry (floor panelling, plugs or insulating material).
We have a detailed study on biodegradable cars in our blog.
Environmental benefits of Bioplastics and Biodegradable Plastics
Biodegradable and compostable plastic alone will not solve the plastic pollution crisis quite instantly. Instead, the emerging trends to reduce and reuse plastic and shift to a circular economy can also play a significant role in reducing CO2 emissions. Actually, all plastics including biodegradable and compostable types must be collected and paired with the right recovery systems, so that the material stays out of nature.
However, for specific applications, compostable and biodegradable plastic can play a helpful role in reducing waste. Compostable take-out containers are now being used which are a great example, as they can compost the remaining food residue alongside the container itself.
Additionally, biodegradable and compostable plastic is often made from biobased sources like seaweed, sugar beets, or other plants instead of fossil fuels. In this case, and if sourced responsibly, these materials can offer environmental benefits.
Which Crops can Produce Bioplastics
Bioplastics in general are partially or completely based on natural resources. The biomass used for biobased plastics or most commonly called bioplastics today comes from different sources. These plants contain Poly Lactic Acid PLA, a material to produce bioplastics.
Microalgae, a type of algae invisible to the naked eye typically found in freshwater and marine systems and sustainable and economical sources of biofuels, bioactive medicinal products and food ingredients.
Switchgrass, a native warm season (NWS) perennial grass that is often grown as a forage crop, natural wildlife habitat, or, increasingly, as a bioenergy crop.
Miscanthus, a type of grass native to East Asia a leading perennial biomass grass.
High Biomass Sorghum, a tall, thick-stemmed crop that's grown to produce biomass for energy. These are intended for use in biorefineries that convert vegetative biomass into renewable fuels and chemicals.
Carinata, a low carbon intensity, non-food oilseed feedstock for advanced drop-in renewable fuels and high-value chemicals and co-products.
Camelina, an oilseed crop which is being commercially produced globally as feedstock for biodiesel.
Pennycress, a common eurasian weed that occurs throughout North America. Its oil can be used to produce biodiesel and bioplastics.
Shrub Willow, a short-rotation woody crop that can be used to produce bioenergy and improve soil conditions.
Corn, a conventional grain plant converted to cornstarch to manufacture Poly Lactic Acid PLA, a thermoplastic material that can be used to make packaging, dinnerware, cutlery etc.
Sugarcane, a significant feedstock for making bioplastics.
Sugar beet,a biennial crop that achieves maximum sugar content with roots containing a high concentration of sucrose and its pulp is used for biofuel production.
Potatoes, the extracted potato starch is combined with other natural ingredients, like glycerol, to create a moldable material.
Sorghum, a cereal crop, have a biomass to produce polylactic acid (PLA) used for making bioplastics.
Flax Fibers, natural, cellulosic fibers that come from the stem of the flax plant. Flax fiber is a natural and biodegradable composite, which exhibits good mechanical properties and low density. They are used to make linen, a fabric that is soft, comfortable, and lightweight. Flax fibers are also used in the paper industry and as a reinforcement material in composites.
Why Agriculture Materials are used for Making Bioplastics
The emerging plastics industry is showing a significant shift from crude oil towards renewable resources due to the fact of finite oil resources and climate change which constitute two broadly acknowledged challenges for society in the coming decades. Reducing oil dependency and mitigating climate change are therefore two important drivers for the use of renewable resources.
Plants on the other side absorb carbon dioxide during their growth and convert it into carbon-rich organic matter. When these materials are used in the production of bioplastics the carbon is stored within the products during their useful life. This carbon can also be released back into the atmosphere through energy recovery or composting.
In recent times, innovation in the chemical and plastics industry and regulatory and policy framework conditions, certain local and international sanctions and consumer demand Important forces driving the trend towards the use of renewable resources.
United States Special Project for Production of Purpose Grown Energy Crops
The U.S. Department of Energy's, Bioenergy Technologies Office has announced $52 million in funding for industrial projects to enhance the production of low carbon intensity, purpose-grown energy crops to accelerate a clean energy bioeconomy. These projects will help expand a domestic supply chain of alternative carbon sources essential to biofuels and bioproducts production. The project is aimed to lower net emissions in the transportation and industrial sectors.
Investment in this research supports DOE's long-term objective of the project which is to increase the production of bioenergy and renewable chemicals and materials by focusing on different feedstock resources like microalgae, switchgrass, miscanthus, high biomass sorghum, carinata, camelina, pennycress and shrub willow etc. The production of these crops will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create high-quality jobs across the agricultural industry and increase our most importantly, energy independence.
Additionally, these projects are also expected to produce three billion gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel SAF annually by 2030 and 35 billion gallons annually by 2050, enough to meet 100% of the projected U.S. aviation fuel demand.
Can Bioplastics Fully Replace Fossil Based Plastics
The answer is yes.
Many modern researches and studies have proven the benefits of bioplastics which are projected to substitute about 85 percent of conventional plastics. Bioplastics are still a beginners to penetrate the market and will expand with increasing availability of different products in the market in near future.
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