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Bioplastics Glossary

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Bioplastics Glossary NAFIGATE Corporation, a.s. BIOPLASTICS GLOSSARY Bioplastics The term (as defined by European Bioplastics e.V.) used to describe two different types of plastics: a) Bio-based plastics (made from → renewable feedstock, i.e. used raw materials), which may (or may not) be → biodegradable. b) Biodegradable and → compostable plastics, as defined under international standard EN13432 or equivalent standards regarding end product degradability. Biodegradable and compostable plastics may be made from renewable feedstock (bio-based) or from non- renewable feedstock (fossil-based). Bioplastics may be: - bio-based and biodegradable; - bio-based and non-biodegradable; - fossil-based and biodegradable. Cellulose acetate (CA) → cellulose ester Aerobic digestion Aerobic means “in the presence of oxygen”. → composting, which is an aerobic process, involves → microorganisms accessing the oxygen present in the surrounding atmosphere and breaking down (metabolising) the organic material into CO2, water and cellular biomass, whereby part of the energy in the organic material is released as heat. [bM 03/07, bM 02/09] Anaerobic digestion The process by which organic matter is decomposed by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen to produce methane and CO2 (= → biogas) and a compostable dry residue. Practically no heat is released during digestion. Biogas can be treated in a Combined Heat and Power Plant or upgraded into bio-methane. Amorphous Property: non-crystalline and glassy with an unordered structure. Amylopectin A polymeric branched starch molecule with a very high molecular weight (biopolymer, monomer is → glucose). [bM 05/09]. Amylose A polymeric non-branched starch molecule with a high molecular weight (biopolymer, monomer is → glucose). [bM 05/09]. Biodegradable plastics Plastics that are completely assimilated - degraded - by the → microorganisms present in a defined environment as food for their energy. The carbon in the plastic must be entirely converted into CO2 during the microbial process. The biodegradation process is dependent on the influencing environmental conditions (e.g. location, temperature, humidity) and on the material or application itself. Consequently, the process and its outcome can vary considerably. Biodegradability is linked to the structure of the polymer chain; it is not dependent on the source of the feedstock. There is currently no single, overarching standard that lays down the requirements for biodegradability. Existing standards include the ISO or European standard EN 14995 Plastics - Evaluation of compostability - Test scheme and specifications. [bM 02/06, bM 01/07] Biogas A product of → anaerobic digestion Biomass Material of biological origin, excluding material embedded in geological formations and fossil material. This includes all or part of plants, trees, algae, marine organisms, microorganisms and animals. Biorefinery A co-production process that converts waste biomass into biomaterials, biochemicals and biofuels while also producing electricity or heat. Blend A mixture of plastics - a polymer alloy of at least two microscopically dispersed and molecularly distributed base polymers. Bisphenol-A (BPA) A monomer used to produce different polymers. BPA is said to cause health problems since it behaves like a hormone. Its use is therefore banned in children’s products in many countries. BPI Biodegradable Products Institute, a not-for-profit association that uses its innovative compostable labelling program to educate manufacturers, legislators and consumers about the importance of scientifically based standards for compostable materials biodegraded in large composting facilities. Starch butyrate → Starch propionate and starch butyrate CEN Comité Européen de Normalisation (European Organisation for Standardization). Cellophane The thin transparent foil made from chemically treated → cellulose [bM 01/10] Cellulose The principal component of the cell wall - in varying percentages - in all higher forms of plant life, making it the most common organic compound and the most common polysaccharide. [1] Cellulose is a polymeric molecule with a very high molecular weight (it is composed of → glucose monomers), which is industrially produced from wood or cotton to manufacture paper, plastics and fibres. [bM 01/10] Certification Certification is the process by which materials/products undergo a string of tests to verify that they fulfil certain requirements. Reliable certification systems should be based on (ideally harmonised) European standards or technical specifications (e.g. CEN, USDA, ASTM) and should be performed by independent laboratories. Successful certification guarantees high product safety and allows labels to be awarded that help consumers make informed decisions. DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Organisation for Standardization). DIN-CERTO Independent certifying body for the assessment of the conformity of bioplastics. Dispersing Fine distribution of non-miscible liquids into a homogeneous, stable blend. Home composting → Composting [bM 06/08] Drop-in bioplastics Plastics that are chemically identical to conventional petroleum- based plastics but are made from renewable feedstock, such as bio-PE made from bio-ethanol (e.g. from sugar cane) or partly bio- based PET, and monoethylene glycol made from bio-ethanol (e.g. from sugar cane) Developments are underway to produce terephthalic acid from renewable feedstock. Other examples include polyamides (partly bio-based plastics such as PA 4.10 or PA 6.10 and fully bio-based plastics such as PA 5.10 or PA10.10). Resource efficiency The use of limited natural resources in a sustainable way while minimising the impacts on the environment. A resource-efficient economy creates more output or value with the same or less input. EN 13432 European standard for evaluating the → compostability of plastic packaging. Environmental labelling Generally, all graphic or written markings (e.g. labels, logos, patterns, statements, captions, etc.) indicating one or more environmental aspect(s) of a product, component, packaging or service. [16] Enzyme-mediated plastics Enzyme-mediated plastics are not → bioplastics, but rather are conventional non-biodegradable plastics (e.g. fossil-based PE) enriched with small amounts of an organic additive. Microorganisms should consume these additives and then extend the degradation process to the non-biodegradable PE. In time, the material should be degraded in its entirely, should visually disappear and should be converted entirely into CO2 and water. This is a theoretical concept that has yet to be backed up by any verifiable evidence. Producers endorse enzyme-mediated plastics as a solution to the negligent dropping and accumulation of packaging waste (→ littering). Yet, as no evidence has been provided to support this degradation process, its environmentally beneficial effects are highly questionable. Cellulose ester Formed by the esterification of cellulose with organic acids. From a technical point of view, the most important cellulose-esters are cellulose acetate (CA with acetic acid), cellulose propionate (CA with propionic acid) and cellulose butyrate (CB with butane acid). Mixed polymerizates, such as cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) - which is most notably used to produce the moulded handle on Swiss army knives - can also be formed. [11] Starch-ester → Starch ester Ethene (Ethylene) An odourless, colourless gas typically made from petroleum through the process of cracking or bioethanol dehydration. This monomer is used to produce polyethylene (PE). European Bioplastics e.V. The industry association representing the interests of Europe’s thriving bioplastics industry. Founded in 1993 in Germany as the IBAW, European Bioplastics today protects the interests of approximately 50 member companies throughout the EU and the world. With members from the feedstock, chemical and plastics industries, as well as other industrial users and recycling companies, European Bioplastics serves as both a contact platform and a catalyst for advancing the aims of the growing bioplastics industry. Extrusion The heating and high-pressure process used to create plastic profiles (or sheets), which consists of mixing, melting, homogenising and shaping plastic. FDCA 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid, an intermediate compound produced from → 5-HMF (5-Hydroxymethylfurfural), which can be used to produce → PEF = polyethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate (polyester), which in turn could be a mild alternative to PET as a 100% → biomass derivative. Fermentation Biochemical reactions controlled by → microorganisms or → enzymes (e.g. transforming sugar into lactic acid). FSC Forest Stewardship Council, a non-governmental not-for-profit organisation established to promote responsible and sustainable forest management. Genetically modified Plants or animals whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered. Food and feed that contain or consist of such GMOs or are organisms (GMOs) produced from GMOs are called genetically modified (GM) food or feed [1]. If GM crops are used in the production of bioplastics, the multiple-stage processing and the high heat used to create the polymer safely removes all traces of genetic material. This means that the final bioplastics product contains no genetic traces and is therefore well suited to be used for food packaging as it contains no genetically modified material. Global warming The rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and oceans since the late 19th century and its
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