Bio-based aniline is an aromatic amine (C₆H₅NH₂) synthesized from renewable plant-based sugars rather than petroleum-derived benzene. As a drop-in replacement for fossil aniline, it enables the production of bio-based MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) and polyurethanes without requiring changes to downstream manufacturing processes. The EU-funded Bio4PURConti project (2026) aims to demonstrate the first continuous fermentation-based production process at semi-industrial scale.
Also known as: Green PE, Bio-based Polyethylene, Plant-based PE, I'm Green PE, Renewable PE
materialBio-PE is chemically identical to conventional polyethylene but produced from renewable feedstocks like sugarcane ethanol instead of fossil fuels. It's a drop-in replacement offering identical performance with a reduced carbon footprint — the world's most widely produced drop-in bioplastic.
Also known as: Plant-based PET, Bio-based PET, PlantBottle, Partially bio-based PET
materialBio-PET is partially or fully bio-based polyethylene terephthalate produced from renewable feedstocks. Chemically identical to conventional PET, it's commonly used in beverage bottles with 30% bio-content from bio-ethylene glycol.
Also known as: Green PP, Bio-based Polypropylene, Plant-based PP, Renewable PP
materialBio-PP is polypropylene manufactured from renewable feedstocks like sugarcane ethanol instead of petroleum. Chemically identical to conventional PP, Bio-PP offers the same performance while reducing carbon footprint and fossil fuel dependency.
Biodegradable materials can be broken down by microorganisms into natural substances like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Biodegradation rates and conditions vary significantly by material and environment — making standardized testing and proper end-of-life infrastructure essential.
Also known as: Polymer blends, Biopolymer compounds, Bioplastic compounds, PLA blends, Starch blends
material categoryBioplastic blends are mixtures of two or more biopolymers — or a bioplastic with a conventional biodegradable polymer — engineered to combine the best properties of each component. Common examples include PLA+PBAT (flexible compostable packaging) and starch+PBAT (low-cost compostable bags). Blending is the primary tool for tailoring bioplastics to specific application requirements.
Also known as: Bioplastic, Bio-based plastics, Biopolymers, Organic plastics
umbrella termBioplastics are plastics that are derived from renewable biological feedstocks, biodegradable, or both. They encompass a diverse family of materials including PLA, PHA, PBAT, starch blends, and others that offer alternatives to petroleum-based conventional plastics with reduced environmental impact.
The circular economy is an industrial model that designs out waste, keeps materials in use at their highest value, and regenerates natural systems. For bioplastics, this means integrating renewable feedstock sourcing with end-of-life pathways — composting, recycling, and chemical recycling — to create closed-loop material flows.
Compostable materials meet strict international standards requiring complete biodegradation and disintegration within 180 days in industrial composting facilities. Certification ensures environmental safety and compatibility with composting systems.
Composting infrastructure refers to the facilities, systems, and processes that collect, process, and decompose compostable materials at scale. Adequate infrastructure is essential for biodegradable and compostable materials to achieve their environmental benefits.
Also known as: Drop-in biopolymer, Bio-based drop-in, Chemically identical bioplastic, Bio-identical plastic
material categoryDrop-in bioplastics are bio-based versions of conventional plastics that are chemically identical to their fossil-based counterparts. Because they are molecularly the same, they can be processed on existing manufacturing equipment and recycled in existing streams — offering a seamless transition path to bio-based materials without infrastructure changes.
A drop-in replacement is a material that can substitute for a conventional polymer in existing applications and manufacturing processes without requiring equipment or process modifications. Drop-in bioplastics are chemically identical to their fossil counterparts, enabling seamless industry transition.
Also known as: European Standard for Compostability, EN 13432:2000, Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation, Seedling logo standard
standardEN 13432 is the most stringent and widely recognized European standard for compostable plastics, establishing requirements for biodegradation, disintegration, and ecotoxicity. It is the benchmark standard globally for certifying compostable materials and is required for the Seedling compostability logo.
FDCA (2,5-furandicarboxylic acid) is the key bio-based building block for PEF (polyethylene furanoate), a plant-based polymer that can replace PET. Produced from plant-based sugars through catalytic oxidation, FDCA enables a new generation of 100% bio-based plastics with superior barrier properties.
Feedstock refers to the raw biological materials used to produce bioplastics. These range from food crops (1G) to agricultural waste (2G) and algae or COâ‚‚ (3G). The choice of feedstock significantly impacts cost, sustainability credentials, and the carbon footprint of the resulting bioplastic.
Also known as: LCA, Environmental Life Cycle Assessment, Cradle-to-grave analysis, Carbon footprint
methodologyLife Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the internationally standardised methodology (ISO 14040/14044) used to quantify the environmental impacts of a product or material across its entire life cycle — from raw material extraction through production, use, and end-of-life. For bioplastics, LCA is the definitive tool for comparing sustainability performance against conventional plastics.
The mass balance approach allows bio-based and recycled feedstocks to be tracked through complex chemical supply chains without physical segregation. A certified percentage of renewable input is allocated to specific output products, enabling drop-in bio-based plastics using existing infrastructure.
Microbial degradation is the breakdown of polymers through enzymatic processes performed by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. This natural process is fundamental to biodegradation and composting of organic materials.
Mycelium-based materials are bio-composites grown from fungal mycelium on agricultural waste substrates. They serve as biodegradable alternatives to synthetic foams (EPS, polyurethane) in packaging, insulation, and construction applications.
PBAT is a biodegradable copolyester that combines flexibility with compostability.
PBS is a biodegradable polyester with excellent mechanical properties and heat resistance. Synthesized from renewable or petrochemical sources, PBS offers superior processability and performance compared to PLA for engineering and durable applications.
PCL is a synthetic biodegradable polyester with exceptional flexibility, low melting point (58–60°C), and excellent blending capabilities. Primarily used in medical devices and specialty applications requiring biocompatibility and controlled biodegradation.
PHA is a family of biodegradable polyesters naturally produced by bacteria
PHB is the simplest member of the PHA family, produced through bacterial fermentation. Fully biodegradable in soil, marine, and composting environments, PHB offers true biological sustainability despite processing challenges from brittleness.
PLA is a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane. It's one of the most widely used bioplastics globally, offering similar processing to conventional plastics with a lower carbon footprint.
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer commonly used in packaging, automotive, and consumer products. Bio-PP is a renewable alternative with identical properties produced from plant-based feedstocks rather than petroleum.
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), adopted in 2024 and replacing Directive 94/62/EC, sets binding requirements for packaging sustainability including recycled content mandates, packaging reduction targets, and restrictions on single-use formats that drive demand for bioplastics.
rPET (recycled PET) is polyethylene terephthalate recovered from post-consumer plastic waste and reprocessed into new packaging. It is the most widely recycled plastic globally and a cornerstone of circular economy strategies for the packaging industry.
Also known as: Thermoplastic Starch, TPS, Starch Blends, Starch Compounds
materialStarch-based bioplastics are created from renewable starch sources like corn, potato, or cassava. The most cost-effective bioplastic option, they're fully biodegradable and widely used in packaging and agricultural applications.