The term "bioplastic" is often used as a synonym for biodegradable plastic even if the characteristics of the materials are different.
The differences between bioplastic and biodegradable plastic
bioplastic is a “bio-based” material (bio-based), entirely or partially obtained from plant biomass. It is of biological origin and does not include components of fossil origin (coal or oil).
The term "biodegradable" instead means a material that can be degraded by microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) in water, natural gas, such as carbon dioxide and methane or in biomass.
There are bio-based materials that are biodegradable, such as Pla or polylactic acid and others that, while being bio-based, are not. Such as Bio-pet, Ptt, Bio-pe.
Both bioplastics and biodegradable plastics are used in the food sector. And it is precisely the food sector that seems to be most interested in reducing the huge amount of single-use plastic waste.
To date there are many bioplastics certified as suitable for contact with food.
The price of fossil-based plastics depends on the price of oil, while that of bioplastics is more stable.
Bio-based plastics and biodegradable plastics are more expensive, but they almost always have a higher density which allows a higher final yield. In general, individual cases need to be examined.
The process of biodegradability
Some polymers produced from fossil sources, such as Pbs, a semi-crystalline polymer manufactured through bacterial fermentation, have the characteristic of biodegradability .
Most of the "traditional" polymers that make up most of the food packaging currently in circulation are not biodegradable. These are polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride but also polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene.
The biodegradability strongly depends on the environmental conditions , such as temperature, presence of microorganisms, presence of oxygen and water.
Some materials to be considered compostable that degrade, must comply with the standard (EN 13432).
The speed of the composting process depends on certain parameters, such as temperature, humidity, presence of oxygen, quantity and type of compostable material.
