Biopolymers in Practice: Potential & Industry Solutions

E-Paper: Applications of Biopolymers A Roadmap for a Sustainable Plastics Industry

2026-07-23 From Melanie Ehrhardt (in charge) | Translated by AI 6 min Reading Time

Biopolymers are increasingly making their way from research into industrial applications. Thanks to their diverse properties, they offer sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics and are already being used successfully in fields such as packaging, medicine, agriculture, and technology.

Bioplastics are considered a path toward a sustainable plastics industry because they can help replace fossil-based raw materials and reduce petroleum consumption. Many bioplastics are made from renewable raw materials and, depending on the material, can be recycled or biodegraded. As a result, they help conserve resources and reduce environmental impact in certain applications.

At the same time, they promote the development of new materials and innovative manufacturing processes. Although bioplastics cannot completely replace conventional plastics, they make an important contribution to a more resource-efficient and sustainable plastics industry.

And even though their market share is still very small compared to petroleum-based plastics, a growing number of applications show that switching to bioplastics can be worthwhile. The new e-paper “PlastXnow: Biopolymers in Practice” (+) provides an overview of the most exciting projects and products currently available.

E-Paper

Biopolymers: From Research to Practice

Cover Plastverarbeiter 7-8/2026 - Biopolymere: Von der Forschung in die Praxis — (Source: WIN)

What Role Bioplastics Might Play in the Future
Biopolymer Congress 2026: An international platform for sustainable plastics with a strong practical focus
These are the winners of the 2026 Biopolymer Innovation Award
Bioplastics at the Price of Petroleum
Shaftless machines optimize the sampling of bioplastics

Click here for the e-paper (+).

Definition & Delimitation

What are bioplastics?

Bioplastics, also known as biopolymers, are plastics made entirely or partially from renewable raw materials such as corn, sugarcane, or potato starch. Some bioplastics are biodegradable, while others are not.

Distinction: Bio-based vs. Biodegradable

"Bio-based" means that a plastic is made entirely or partially from renewable raw materials such as corn, sugarcane, or wood, rather than from petroleum. However, bio-based plastics are not necessarily biodegradable.

"Biodegradable" means that, under certain conditions, a plastic can be broken down by microorganisms into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Biodegradable plastics can be made from both renewable raw materials and petroleum.

Distinction: Drop-in Solutions vs. New Materials

Drop-in solutions are bio-based plastics that have the same properties as conventional plastics and can be used without any modifications to existing production facilities. One example is bio-PE (bio-based polyethylene).

New materials are newly developed bioplastics with unique properties. They differ from conventional plastics and are often biodegradable, such as PLA.

Three Examples of Bioplastics

PLA (polylactic acid)

PLA is made from renewable raw materials such as cornstarch or sugarcane. The plastic is biodegradable under industrial composting conditions. It is lightweight, transparent, and easy to process. PLA is commonly used in packaging, disposable tableware, and additive manufacturing (3D printing).

Bio-PE (bio-based polyethylene)

Bio-PE is made from sugarcane and has the same properties as conventional polyethylene (PE) derived from petroleum. It is very sturdy, durable, and fully recyclable. Because it is a so-called “drop-in” solution, it can be processed in existing facilities. Bio-PE is used for bottles, films, pipes, and packaging.

PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates)

PHA is produced by microorganisms from plant-based raw materials. The plastic is biodegradable and can break down even in natural environments. It is particularly well-suited for applications where plastic might end up in the environment. Applications for PHA include packaging, medicine, and agriculture, among others.

Overview: Applications of Biopolymers

Bioplastics have many applications and are already being used successfully in many industries. These include:

Packaging Industry: Food packaging, films, bottles, and disposable tableware
Medical Technology: Surgical sutures, implants, capsules, and other biodegradable medical devices
Agriculture: Mulch films, plant pots, and seed coatings
Automotive Industry: Interior trim, trim components, and parts made from bio-based plastics
Consumer goods industry: toothbrushes, toys, textiles, and household items• 3D printing: PLA, in particular, is frequently used as a filament for 3D printing

Real-World Examples: From the Supermarket to the Ski Slopes

How Biopolymers Make Artificial Turf Microplastic-Free

Biopolymers are finding new industrial applications. The project NaKura (+) demonstrates how bio-based and biodegradable materials are making microplastic-free artificial turf possible for the first time. This innovative material concept combines high technical performance with environmental sustainability while also addressing future regulatory requirements.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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Packaging: Organic Netting for the Food Industry

A newly developed Bio-Netz (+) combines, for the first time, the mechanical performance of conventional plastic nets with certified compostability. This material innovation, based on thermoplastic starch, can be processed on existing production lines and opens up new possibilities for sustainable packaging and agricultural applications.

Packaging: Recyclable can made of bio-PE

Packaging specialist Alpla and micronutrient manufacturer Biogena have developed a fully recyclable packaging solution made from sugarcane waste. By using bio-based polyethylene (Bio-PE), the project saves approximately 274 metric tons of CO₂ annually.

Cosmetics: Natural Makeup Removal with Disposable Exfoliating Pads

CMC Consumer Medical Care GmbH has developed an innovative, eco-friendly exfoliating pad (+), which is completely free of microplastics. It consists of 100% pure cotton fibers combined with a fully biodegradable exfoliating material. More than 50% of this material is derived from renewable, plant-based raw materials.

Sports: Ski touring bindings made from bioplastic

In the Ski Touring Binding Technology (+), the Lehvoss Group is collaborating with binding manufacturers Marker and Rowa Masterbatch. This involves the use of bio-based, long-glass-fiber-reinforced high-performance plastics from the Luvocom LFT series (specifically PA410-GF and PA66-LGF). The result: lightweight, safe, and resource-efficient fastening components.

Processing Considerations

Advantages of Bio-Based Polymers

Bio-based polymers are made entirely or partially from renewable raw materials, thereby conserving fossil resources. They can reduce CO₂ emissions over their life cycle. Many bio-based plastics can be recycled just like conventional plastics. In addition, so-called “drop-in” solutions, such as bio-PE, can be processed without any modifications to existing production facilities.

Advantages of Biodegradable Polymers

Biodegradable polymers can be broken down by microorganisms under suitable conditions. They are particularly suitable for short-lived products such as packaging or disposable tableware. They are also advantageous for applications where material recovery is difficult, such as agricultural mulch films. As a result, they can help reduce long-lasting plastic waste in certain areas of use.

Injection Molding with Biopolymers

Many bioplastics can be processed on conventional injection molding machines. Bio-based drop-in plastics in particular, such as bio-PE or bio-PET, can be processed without any modifications to the machines.

Bioplastics such as PLA or PHA can also be produced using injection molding; however, the processing parameters—such as temperature, drying, and cooling—must be adjusted to suit the properties of the specific material. As a result, in most cases, no new machine is required; instead, the existing equipment simply needs to be properly configured.

Mechanical Limits

Many bioplastics are more brittle than conventional plastics and therefore break more easily under heavy stress. Some materials have lower heat resistance and can deform at higher temperatures. In addition, some bioplastics have lower impact strength and wear out more quickly under heavy use. For this reason, they are not suitable for all technical applications and must be carefully selected depending on the intended use.

Cost-Effectiveness and Scalability

Bioplastics are currently often more expensive than conventional plastics, as production costs are higher and production volumes are still lower. However, as demand rises and production facilities expand, costs may fall.

Many bio-based plastics, particularly so-called “drop-in” solutions, can already be processed in existing production facilities and are therefore easily scalable. Some new bioplastics require adapted processing methods and are still in the process of expanding industrial production. Overall, the economic viability of bioplastics is steadily increasing thanks to technological progress and rising demand.

Conclusion & Outlook

Bioplastics are an important complement to conventional plastics, as they reduce the use of fossil-based raw materials and, depending on the material, can offer additional environmental benefits. They are already suitable for many applications in the packaging, medical, agricultural, and automotive industries.

Nevertheless, challenges remain, such as costs, mechanical properties, and the expansion of suitable recycling and composting infrastructure. With increasing research, technical advancements, and rising production volumes their importance will continue to grow in the future. Bioplastics are therefore expected to make a significant contribution to sustainable plastics processing.

Transparency: This text was also written with the help of AI.