- The concept of biocircularity is presented as fundamental in the plastics industry. In the face of imminent legislative challenges and technological and innovation advances, biocircular raw materials are presented as a competitive, functional and sustainable solution for the industry, as well as fully committed to the environment.
In the industrial fabric, sustainability is one of the issues that most affects companies today. The search for alternatives to traditional plastic materials has taken centre stage. Biocircularity involves the creation of a system in which organic resources are used efficiently and sustainably, based on the idea that bio-based materials can be recycled, reused or transformed into new products without generating environmentally harmful waste. Instead of following a linear economic model based on fossil resources, biocircularity promotes a circular approach based on renewable or bio-based resources (biomass).
In this context, biocircular feedstocks emerge as a promising option to address environmental challenges and meet imminent legislative requirements at national and European level. Among these regulations are those aimed at restricting the use of plastics in single-use products (e.g. the recent revision of the directive on packaging and packaging waste by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union). Many companies are developing internal directives focused on the substitution of these materials.
In this regard, in the Action Plan for a circular economy in Europe published in 2020, the European Union established that by 2030 all packaging on the EU market should be reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way, including compostable (organically recyclable) among the latter. Similarly, the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy and the draft European Packaging Waste Regulation also set the target that by 2030 all packaging should be recyclable.
At national level, recyclability is specified as mandatory in the Royal Decree on Packaging and Packaging Waste by 2030, in line with European targets. It is therefore clear that packaging that is not recyclable or compostable will be restricted in the market from the next decade onwards.
The importance of sustainable sourcing
The creation of secondary raw materials is the essence of the circular economy. Secondary or second-cycle raw materials, as the name suggests, are raw materials that have already been used, and which are used again to produce value-added products.
Underlying the concept of bio-circular raw materials is the need to re-evaluate the sources of raw materials. Historical dependence on fossil resources has led to the exploration of renewable sources such as biocircular feedstocks. These resources, derived from biomass and organic waste, have significant potential to reduce the environmental footprint of plastics production.
The key advantage of these sustainable sources lies in their ability to close the life cycle of plastic products without polluting the environment. Instead of relying exclusively on non-renewable resources, the transition to biomaterials offers a unique opportunity to address resource scarcity and reduce pressure on the environment. More specifically, the use of bio-based raw materials as well as second-cycle raw materials addresses the reduction of the carbon footprint and pollution to the environment through two ways, on the one hand, products that will no longer be used again are revalued, and on the other hand the use of bio-based raw materials also clearly reduces the carbon footprint as opposed to fossil-based products.
Optimising the quality of raw materials
It should be noted that, in general terms, there is a clear contribution of value that these types of raw materials make to the environmental objectives that Europe has stipulated in its latest legislation. Again, the common theme and common ground is the reduction of the carbon footprint, and how this can be clearly reduced with the use of second cycle and therefore circular raw materials. In this respect, the quality of the sources or waste recovery streams plays a key role. As the industry embraces the idea of biocircularity, it is essential to address this critical aspect: the quality of these sources is very important to ensure their competitiveness in the plastics industry. This quality not only affects the technical feasibility of the production and transformation processes, but also has direct implications on the associated costs.
Leading companies, aware of this challenge, are investing in technologies that enable the production of circular and second generation raw materials with the necessary quality to compete with those commonly used. The technical challenge is to ensure that the raw materials extracted from the waste streams are sufficiently pure and allow similar production yields to be obtained, for which it is essential to have exhaustive control and the necessary technologies to achieve the quality desired by the industry and its processes.
Commitment to quality improvement not only contributes to operational efficiency, but also sets a standard for the industry. Superior quality not only plays a role in the integrity of the end product, but also promotes widespread acceptance of these materials in the marketplace by the end consumer.
Challenges of end-of-life materials
The end-of-life of plastic materials has been a central issue in sustainability discussions. Organic recyclability has been questioned, but the versatility of bioplastic materials such as PLA and other compostables offers a hopeful perspective, as they guarantee the circular economy, not only through organic recyclability, but also mechanical and chemical recyclability. Thus, compostable materials can be highlighted thanks to their competitive differentiation from other materials as they can be included in any industrial recycling line.
Eco-design, especially when closely linked to the end-of-life of products, plays a crucial role in the transition towards a circular and sustainable economy. Designing products with easily recyclable or biodegradable materials not only reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, but also promotes the conservation of natural resources and the reduction of the environmental footprint. In the context of compostables, eco-design can also play a key role when it comes to mechanical and chemical recycling in particular.
Information transfer and traceability are crucial elements in the successful implementation of biocircularity. Correct labelling on packaging and products is fundamental in terms of transparency with the consumer, as well as ensuring correct treatment of the product to achieve its intended end-of-life. Proper certification ensures that products meet established sustainable standards. In this sense, accredited laboratories such as, for example, those of the ITENE Research Centre, are the ones that test and guarantee compliance with standards such as compostability and end-of-life, helping companies to obtain certifications such as compostability, industrial and domestic, with the direct collaboration of certifiers such as TÜV Austria and Dincerco.
Education of the public and companies on the correct use of these products is an essential component of this equation. Widespread ignorance highlights the need for increased awareness and education at all levels. Without a clear understanding of the benefits and proper use of bio-based products, there is a risk that the proposed sustainability goals will not be achieved.
Wider and deeper awareness is needed at all levels. From manufacturers, processors and packagers to end consumers, the lack of understanding of the real benefits of biocircular materials and bioplastics in general is evident. It is important to foster this knowledge with educational programmes that address not only the technical and environmental benefits of these materials, but also their correct use and management. Sustainable success at the business level depends to a large extent on an informed and empowered population in all aspects of the supply and consumption chain.
Regulations and laws play a crucial role in the direction the plastics industry is taking. As mentioned above, current and future regulations are guiding the industry towards sustainability and circularity. These strategic moves accelerate the introduction of bioplastics into the industrial fabric and the substitution of fossil-based materials. The European Union is driving the promotion of the circular economy, focusing on the amount of recycled material in final products, among other measures. Various industry associations are calling for emphasis to be placed on the use of compostables as a competitive, functional and sustainable alternative. Collaboration between industry and governmental bodies is essential to create a regulatory framework that encourages the transition to compostable materials.
This concept of sustainability and technological innovation is proving very useful for companies, which see that they can find substitutes for commonly used fossil-based plastic materials such as PS, PE or PET. In addition to boosting companies’ sustainability strategies, these products can help anticipate upcoming legislative challenges.
The role of ADBioplastics as a manufacturer of additives and bioplastics
ADBioplastics is a manufacturer of a multifunctional additive (ADBio PLA+) that improves the mechanical properties of virgin PLA, giving rise to PLA-Premium bioplastic, a bio-based and compostable material that improves the mechanical properties, processability and barrier properties of PLA, generating a sustainable, functional and competitive alternative at industrial level. In addition, the material can be processed in conventional equipment for applications in multiple sectors, such as packaging (food, cosmetics and nutrition), 3D printing, textiles, agriculture, construction, medicine and consumer goods, among others.
PLA-Premium comes from renewable sources such as corn, sugar beet or sugar cane and decomposes into its basic components (carbon dioxide and water) within 3 months under industrial composting conditions. This is why the material has been awarded the OK Compost Industrial certificate by TÜV Austria.
If we refer here to the concept of biocircularity, waste materials or by-products from other industries or processes are used as raw materials for the manufacture of new products, thus closing the life cycle of materials and reducing dependence on virgin resources. There are already many compostable materials and plastics obtained from organic resources from different waste streams involved in different industries or sectors. Different materials can be used as raw material sources for the production of 100% bio-circular bioplastics.
In the case of PLA, it should be noted that the raw materials used for its production do not compete with food crops, as there is currently enough land for this type of material not to compete with food, in addition to the trend towards the use of second-cycle waste for the production of this type of product. In addition, PLA has the highest raw material efficiency of all bioplastics, which translates into the lowest need for land use.
The final characteristics of alternative materials to those of fossil origin can be very similar, even in some aspects such as processability, fluidity and mechanical properties. In this line, we have bioplastic grades to adapt the material to the specific needs of the customer’s production process, accompanying them throughout the development, sales and after-sales processes to achieve a PLA without limits.
ADBioplastics already has several success stories in collaboration with various companies demonstrating the viability of PLA-Premium grades and their competitiveness in the current plastics market. One of the main areas in which ADBioplastics offers a clear competitive advantage is in injection moulded and blow moulded products, since the same production yields are achieved as with other conventional plastics such as PET and PS.
Specifically, ADBioplastics is responding to companies in the cosmetics, personal care and food sectors with high-performance compostable bottles that are compatible and suitable for contact with food and cosmetic products.
In conclusion, the future of bio-based materials in the plastics industry looks bright. The transition to more sustainable raw material sources, continuous improvement in material quality, end-of-life adaptability of materials and efforts to influence legislation are key steps towards a more sustainable industry.
While the challenges are clear, the contributions of leading companies, driven by innovation and environmental awareness, indicate that it is possible to overcome these obstacles. Collaboration between businesses, governments and consumers is essential to achieve a successful transition to biocircularity and pave the way for a future where plastics are a driving force for sustainability rather than an environmental problem.
*Article published in AVEP Magazine*