VIJ Digital library
Articles

Development of Sustainable Bio-Based Polymers as Alternatives to Petrochemical Plastics

Syed Masroor Hassan Rizvi
Production Chemistry, Karachi University, SLB company

Submission to VIJ 2024-06-03

Keywords

  • Bio-Based Polymers ,
  • Petrochemical Plastics

Abstract

The 21st century is witnessing a paradigm shift in material science and industry due to the increasing environmental concerns associated with traditional petrochemical plastics. This shift has propelled the exploration and development of sustainable alternatives, among which bio-based polymers have emerged as promising contenders. This paper embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the development of sustainable bio-based polymers as alternatives to petrochemical plastics, elucidating their production methods, distinctive properties, diverse applications, and environmental ramifications.

The contemporary ubiquity of petrochemical plastics has been accompanied by a myriad of environmental concerns, ranging from resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions to the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. The exponential growth in plastic production and consumption has led to the accumulation of plastic waste in terrestrial and marine ecosystems, posing significant threats to biodiversity and human health. Thus, the imperative for sustainable alternatives has become increasingly urgent.

Bio-based polymers, derived from renewable biological sources, offer a compelling solution to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts associated with petrochemical plastics. The paper navigates through various sources of bio-based polymers, including plant-based materials, microbial sources, and valorization of waste streams. Each source presents distinct advantages and challenges, shaping the landscape of bio-based polymer research and development.

Production methods of bio-based polymers encompass a diverse array of techniques, including biomass conversion, fermentation processes, chemical synthesis, and incorporation of biodegradable additives. Understanding these methods is crucial for optimizing polymer properties and scalability while minimizing environmental footprints.

Properties and applications of bio-based polymers span a broad spectrum, from mechanical and thermal properties to barrier properties crucial for packaging applications. The versatility of bio-based polymers extends beyond packaging to textiles, automotive components, biomedical devices, and more, underpinning their potential to revolutionize diverse industries.

Yet, the adoption of bio-based polymers is not devoid of challenges. Technological hurdles, economic viability, regulatory frameworks, and consumer acceptance represent key obstacles that must be addressed to accelerate the transition towards bio-based plastics. Moreover, a comprehensive assessment of the environmental implications and sustainability metrics is indispensable to ensure that bio-based polymers fulfill their promise as truly sustainable alternatives.

This paper serves as a roadmap for navigating the complex terrain of sustainable bio-based polymers, offering insights into their development, applications, and environmental implications. By elucidating the opportunities and challenges inherent in the transition towards bio-based plastics, this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on combating plastic pollution and fostering a more sustainable future for generations to come.

References

  1. Asgher, M., Qamar, S. A., Bilal, M., & Iqbal, H. M. (2020). Bio-based active food packaging materials: Sustainable alternative to conventional petrochemical-based packaging materials. Food Research International, 137, 109625.
  2. Siracusa, V., & Blanco, I. (2020). Bio-polyethylene (Bio-PE), Bio-polypropylene (Bio-PP) and Bio-poly (ethylene terephthalate)(Bio-PET): Recent developments in bio-based polymers analogous to petroleum-derived ones for packaging and engineering applications. Polymers, 12(8), 1641.
  3. Harmsen, P. F., Hackmann, M. M., & Bos, H. L. (2014). Green building blocks for bio‐based plastics. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 8(3), 306-324.
  4. De Gisi, S., Gadaleta, G., Gorrasi, G., La Mantia, F. P., Notarnicola, M., & Sorrentino, A. (2022). The role of (bio) degradability on the management of petrochemical and bio-based plastic waste. Journal of Environmental Management, 310, 114769.
  5. Muthusamy, M. S., & Pramasivam, S. (2019). Bioplastics–an eco-friendly alternative to petrochemical plastics. Current world environment, 14(1), 49.
  6. de Jong, E., Higson, A., Walsh, P., & Wellisch, M. (2012). Product developments in the bio‐based chemicals arena. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 6(6), 606-624.
  7. Shamsuddin, I. M., Jafar, J. A., Shawai, A. S. A., Yusuf, S., Lateefah, M., & Aminu, I. (2017). Bioplastics as better alternative to petroplastics and their role in national sustainability: a review. Adv. Biosci. Bioeng, 5(4), 63.
  8. Dammer, L., Carus, M., Raschka, A., & Scholz, L. (2013). Market Developments of and Opportunities for biobased products and chemicals.
  9. Briassoulis, D., Pikasi, A., & Hiskakis, M. (2019). End-of-waste life: Inventory of alternative end-of use recirculation routes of bio-based plastics in the European Union context. Critical reviews in environmental science and technology, 49(20), 1835-1892.
  10. Naser, A. Z., Deiab, I., & Darras, B. M. (2021). Poly (lactic acid)(PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), green alternatives to petroleum-based plastics: a review. RSC advances, 11(28), 17151-17196.
  11. Choudhury, B. K., Haloi, R., Bharadwaj, K. K., Rajkhowa, S., & Sarma, J. (2022). Bio‐Based and Biodegradable Plastics as Alternatives to Conventional Plastics. Plastic and Microplastic in the Environment: Management and Health Risks, 170-186.
  12. Gerassimidou, S., Martin, O. V., Chapman, S. P., Hahladakis, J. N., & Iacovidou, E. (2021). Development of an integrated sustainability matrix to depict challenges and trade-offs of introducing bio-based plastics in the food packaging value chain. Journal of Cleaner Production, 286, 125378.
  13. Stevens, C. V. (2013). Bio-based plastics: materials and applications. John Wiley & Sons.
  14. Sohail, R., & Jamil, N. (2021). Aliphatic biopolymers as a sustainable green alternative to traditional petrochemical-based plastics. Bioplastics for sustainable development, 295-306.
  15. Gursel, I. V., Moretti, C., Hamelin, L., Jakobsen, L. G., Steingrimsdottir, M. M., Junginger, M., ... & Shen, L. (2021). Comparative cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment of bio-based and petrochemical PET bottles. Science of the Total Environment, 793, 148642.
  16. Pan, Y., Farmahini-Farahani, M., O’Hearn, P., Xiao, H., & Ocampo, H. (2016). An overview of bio ased polymers for packaging materials. J. Bioresour. Bioprod, 1(3), 106-113.
  17. Al-Khairy, D., Fu, W., Alzahmi, A. S., Twizere, J. C., Amin, S. A., Salehi-Ashtiani, K., & Mystikou,
  18. A. (2022). Closing the gap between bio-based and petroleum-based plastic through bioengineering. Microorganisms, 10(12), 2320.
  19. Skoczinski, P., Carus, M., Tweddle, G., Ruiz, P., de Guzman, D., Ravenstijn, J., ... & Raschka, A. (2023). Bio-Based Building Blocks and Polymers: Global Capacities, Production and Trends 2022–2027. Industrial Biotechnology, 19(4), 185-194.
  20. Stoica, M., Antohi, V. M., Zlati, M. L., & Stoica, D. (2020). The financial impact of replacing plastic packaging by biodegradable biopolymers-A smart solution for the food industry. Journal of cleaner production, 277, 124013.
  21. Platnieks, O., Gaidukovs, S., Thakur, V. K., Barkane, A., & Beluns, S. (2021). Bio-based poly (butylene succinate): Recent progress, challenges and future opportunities. European Polymer Journal, 161, 110855.
  22. Nagesh, C., Chaganti, K. R., Chaganti, S., Khaleelullah, S., Naresh, P., & Hussan, M. (2023). Leveraging Machine Learning based Ensemble Time Series Prediction Model for Rainfall Using SVM, KNN and Advanced ARIMA+ E-GARCH. International Journal on Recent and Innovation Trends in Computing and Communication, 11(7s), 353-358.
  23. Jiang, B., Seif, M., Tandon, R., & Li, M. (2021). Context-aware local information privacy. IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, 16, 3694-3708.
  24. Surabhi, S. N. R. D., Mandala, V., & Shah, C. V. AI-Enabled Statistical Quality Control Techniques for Achieving Uniformity in Automobile Gap Control.
  25. Chaganti, K. R., Ramula, U. S., Sathyanarayana, C., Changala, R., Kirankumar, N., & Gupta, K. G. (2023, November). UI/UX Design for Online Learning Approach by Predictive Student Experience. In 2023 7th International Conference on Electronics, Communication and Aerospace Technology (ICECA) (pp. 794-799). IEEE.
  26. Jiang, B., Li, M., & Tandon, R. (2020). Local information privacy and its application to privacy-preserving data aggregation. IEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing, 19(3), 1918-1935.
  27. Mandala, V., & Surabhi, M. D. Intelligent Engines: Revolutionizing Manufacturing and Supply Chains with AI.
  28. Chaganti, K. R., & Chaganti, S. Deep Learning Based NLP and LSTM Models for Sentiment Classification of Consumer Tweets.
  29. Jiang, B., Li, M., & Tandon, R. (2018, May). Context-aware data aggregation with localized information privacy. In 2018 IEEE Conference on Communications and Network Security (CNS) (pp. 1-9). IEEE.
  30. Zhang, W., Jiang, B., Li, M., & Lin, X. (2022). Privacy-preserving aggregate mobility data release: An information-theoretic deep reinforcement learning approach. IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, 17, 849-864.
  31. Adeyeri, T. B. (2024). Enhancing Financial Analysis Through Artificial Intelligence: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Science & Technology, 5(2), 102-120.
  32. Jiang, B., Li, M., & Tandon, R. (2019, May). Local information privacy with bounded prior. In ICC 2019-2019 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) (pp. 1-7). IEEE.
  33. Adeyeri, T. B. (2024). Automating Accounting Processes: How AI is Streamlining Financial Reporting. Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research, 4(1), 72-90.
  34. Mandala, V., & Surabhi, S. N. R. D. Intelligent Systems for Vehicle Reliability and Safety: Exploring AI in Predictive Failure Analysis.
  35. Adeyeri, T. B. (2024). Blockchain and AI Synergy: Transforming Financial Transactions and Auditing. Blockchain Technology and Distributed Systems, 4(1), 24-44.
  36. Shah, C. V., Surabhi, S. N. R. D., & Mandala, V. ENHANCING DRIVER ALERTNESS USING COMPUTER VISION DETECTION IN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE.
  37. Zia, K. M., Akram, N., Tabasum, S., Noreen, A., & Akbar, M. U. (2021). Processing technology for bio-based polymers: Advanced strategies and practical aspects. Elsevier.
  38. Zhu, Y., Romain, C., & Williams, C. K. (2016). Sustainable polymers from renewable resources. Nature, 540(7633), 354-362.
  39. Van Crevel, R. (2016). Bio-based food packaging in sustainable development. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
  40. Madbouly, S., Zhang, C., & Kessler, M. R. (2015). Bio-based plant oil polymers and composites.
  41. de Paula, F. C., De Paula, C. B., & Contiero, J. (2018). Prospective biodegradable plastics from biomass conversion processes. Biofuels-state of development, 245-272.