1. Are bio-based plastics really sustainable?
26th Asia Plastics Forum
September 15, 2016
Are bio-based plastics really sustainable?

2. Bio-based Plastics are Here
Soybeans
Sugar cane
Corn
Potatoes
Mushrooms
View with animation
Slide 1:
A lot of innovation. Bioplastic feedstocks now include sugar cane, corn, nuts, mushrooms, potatoes, algea and even air.
Slide 2:
Some of the world’s largest resin makers are making or researching bio-based plastics (Braskem, ExxonMobil, BASF, Dupont, Dow, Covestro, … )
Some of the world’s largest brands are using and marketing bio-based materials (Coke “Plant Bottle” uses up to 30% plant based PET; Ford Focus uses plant based PET, PE and PU).
Cashew Nuts

3. Bio-based Plastics are Here
Soybeans
Some of the largest resin makers are researching or making
bio-based plastics
Sugar cane
Corn
Potatoes
Mushrooms
View with animation
Slide 1:
A lot of innovation. Bioplastic feedstocks now include sugar cane, corn, nuts, mushrooms, potatoes, algea and even air.
Slide 2:
Some of the world’s largest resin makers are making or researching bio-based plastics (Braskem, ExxonMobil, BASF, Dupont, Dow, Covestro, … )
Some of the world’s largest brands are using and marketing bio-based materials (Coke “Plant Bottle” uses up to 30% plant based PET; Ford Focus uses plant based PET, PE and PU).
Some of the largest brands are using & marketing bio-based materials
Cashew Nuts

4. Traditionally most plastic made naptha, oil or natural gas.
Here’s a typical ethylene supply chain. Fossil fuel > ethylene > polyethylene > packaging, car parts, consumer goods

5. But ethylene can be made from ETHANE sourced from fossil fuels, or from bio-based sources.

6. There is NO difference in polyethylene made from plant v
There is NO difference in polyethylene made from plant v. fossil fuel feedstock
The key is: there is no chemical difference in polyethylene made from plant of fossil feedstocks.

7. Bio-pastics and Sustainability
Plastics are already among the most sustainable materials on the planet
Environmental impacts of alternative materials in consumer goods & packaging ~4x greater
In some cases, bio-based plastics may have even more favorable enviornmental profiles

8. What is ‘Sustainable’? Made from an infinitely renewable feedstock
A strong GHG profile (e.g., bio-based feedstock can “sequester” carbon)
Most people think of 3 things when they judge sustainability:
Made from something renewable
Impacts on GHG emissions, and
Is it recyclable.
Recyclability (e.g., bio-based PE and PET can be recycled along with fossil-fuel based plastic)

9. Water Land Use Social Impacts Fertilizer & Pesticide Use Energy
(particularly in drier climates)
Land Use
Social
Impacts
(Labor)
Made from infinitely renewable feedstock is good
Fertilizer & Pesticide Use
Energy
(used to harvest, transport & process bio matter)
However for bioplastics there are at least 5 other considerations:
How much water is used to grow the bio-based feedstock (particularly in dry climates)?
How much land is required (does feedstock compete with food or energy), causing food prices to rise?
Does feedstock require large amounts of fertilizer and pesticides (and can the be used safely)?
Do we account for energy used to harvest, process and transport the feedstock?
Social impacts (eg., labor)

10. Can it be economically produced?
Bio-based
Fossil-based
And many consider economic sustainability … can bio-based plastics COMPETE with traditional feedstock.

11. Can it be economically produced?
2015 PRODUCTION COSTS
Estimated * ($/lb.)
GLOBAL SUPPLY
(billion lbs.)
HIGH
LOW
MIDDLE EAST
UNITED STATES IN 2015
CHINA
WESTERN EUROPE
OTHER NORTHEAST ASIA
RELATIVE POSITION OF UNITED STATES IN 2005
A: It depends. In the US it is getting harder.
EX: in 10 years US plastic producers went from among the highest priced feedstock producers to among the lowest (due to abundance of shale gas). As a result many bio-based plastics are having a harder time competing.

12. Bio-based ≠ Biodegradable

13. Communication / Marketing Claims
Consumers who confuse “bio-based” with biodegradable more likely to litter
Growth in “Green marketing” and other consumer protection laws spreading (e.g., specify bio-based content, recyclability, etc.)
Some brands specify mix of traditional and bio-based resin
Seventh Generation HDPE & bio-HDPE detergent
Coke PET “plant bottle”

14. Marketplace Challenges
Bio-based plastic often proposed to solve marine debris
A major retailer suggested making all food packaging out of PLA to hedge against high oil prices
Lawmakers often confuse bio-based with compostable and biodegradable plastics
Some marketers imply bio-based plastics will biodegrade

15. Resources to Address Misconceptions
Ocean Conservancy’s Stemming the Tide analysis concludes not a solution for Marine Debris
Environmental NGOs and large brands working to identify and mitigate potential adverse impacts
UNEP report addresses misconceptions about biodegradation in the marine environment
ASTM D6868 and Biodegradable Products Institute
Society of the Plastics Industry’s Bioplastics Council

16. Closing Thoughts
LCAs are critical to inform material choices; all facets of sustainability should be taken into account.
Our industry is innovative: what’s true today may not be true tomorrow, so don’t lock in particular materials
oxo-degradable additives should NOT be recycled with other plastics,
PLA can be recycled, but only with a separate specific PLA stream, and
bio-based PE/PET fit with existing recycling infrastructure