Research and development

In the early 1950s, amylomaize (>50% amylose content corn) was successfully bred and commercial bioplastics applications started to be explored.

In 2004, NEC developed a flame retardant plastic, polylactic acid, without using toxic chemicals such as halogens and phosphorus compounds.

In 2005, Fujitsu became one of the first technology companies to make personal computer cases from bioplastics, which are featured in their FMV-BIBLO NB80K line. Later, the French company Ashelvea (also listed on EU Energy Star registered partners), launched its fully recyclable PC with biodegradable plastic case "Evolutis", reported in "People Inspiring Philips", a series of 3 mini-documentaries to inspire Philips employees with some examples from the civil society.

In 2007 Braskem of Brazil announced it had developed a route to manufacture high density polyethylene (HDPE) using ethylene derived from sugar cane.

In 2008, a University of Warwick team created a soap-free emulsion polymerization process which makes colloid particles of polymer dispersed in water, and in a one step process adds nanometre sized silica-based particles to the mix. The newly developed technology might be most applicable to multi-layered biodegradable packaging, which could gain more robustness and water barrier characteristics through the addition of a nano-particle coating[15].

References

1. "Development of a pea starch film with trigger biodegradation properties for agricultural applications". CORDIS services. 2008-11-30. Retrieved 2009-11-24.

2. Hong Chua1, Peter H. F. Yu, and Chee K. Ma (March 1999). "Accumulation of biopolymers in activated sludge biomass". Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Humana Press Inc.) 78: 389–399. doi:10.1385/ABAB:78:1-3:389. ISSN 0273-2289. Retrieved 2009-11-24.

3. Chen, G. , & Patel, M. (2012). Plastics derived from biological sources: Present and future: P technical and environmental review. Chemical Reviews, 112(4), 2082-2099.

4. Suszkiw, Jan (December 2005). "Electroactive Bioplastics Flex Their Industrial Muscle". News & Events. USDA Agricultural Research Service. Retrieved 2011-11-28.

5. Ceresana Research. "Ceresana Research – Market Study Bioplastics". Ceresana.com. Retrieved 2011-08-14

6. “Starch based Bioplastic Manufacturers and Suppliers”

7. "Enhancing biopolymers: additives are needed for toughness, heat resistance & processability.(biopolymers)(Cover story)"

8. "BASF announces major bioplastics production expansion"

9. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/plastic.html

10."Bioplastics Life cycle". Pitt.edu. Retrieved 2012-09-14.

11."Bioplastic creates Nitrous Oxide". American Carbon Registry. Retrieved 2013-01-10

12.EOS magazine, oktober 2009

13.NNFCC Renewable Polymers Factsheet: Bioplastics — NNFCC. Nnfcc.co.uk (2010-02-19). Retrieved on 2011-08-14.

14. Reid, Toby. "Plastics vs. Bioplastics". Awareness Into Action. Retrieved 16 May 2013.

15. Bioplastics enhancement with nanofillers « Bio-Pol Blog. Biopol.free.fr (2008-11-25). Retrieved on 2011-08-14.