Bioplastics alongside bio-based plastics are gaining interest and climate-friendly products are a draw in the market. 2022 provides many opportunities for all kinds of green products but some issues still need to be addressed.
Traditional plastics have ruled the world for decades and the severe consequences due to irresponsible wasteful human behaviour are well known. In order to help prevent the situation from getting worse, bioplastics and bio-based plastics have luckily managed to amass worldwide attention.
“The year 2022 could be the year of bio-based plastics, but there is a global shortage for intermediates production capacity impacting also bio-based plastics production. Using existing raw materials, such as pulp, that can be converted directly to bio-based plastics makes the transition faster”, says Tomi Nyman, Chief Commercial Officer at Woodly.
Who for those that still wonder about the benefits of bioplastics, there are a few important reasons why the year 2022 is definitely the right time to get interested and involved.
“The future of plastics is bio-based and circular. We need to decouple material production from fossil resources and recyclable bio-based plastics are an easy way to do this. The entire plastics demand and market is developing fast and the solutions and technical properties that bio-based plastics bring besides the carbon footprint are very interesting and offer new opportunities”, explains Nyman.
Consumer confusion and bioplastics
It’s no secret that some consumers still struggle with learning and understanding the terminology behind bioplastics and bio-based products. Most tend to categorize everything as one but Nyman believes this can be solved with the right type of marketing and communication.
“Fixing the market requires action that relates to communication and marketing. Bioplastics, bio-based plastics, biodegradable and compostable plastics offer a lot of confusion if the differences in terminology are not explained in an easy manner to all consumers. Not all bioplastics are bio-based and many bioplastics are not biodegradable or compostable. All plastics, including bio-based and biodegradable ones, can also be recycled, especially if sorted properly”, clarifies Nyman.
Bioplastics then and now
With an extensive career of over 20 years in bioplastics, Nyman has seen it all. With the new technology available and the increasing buzz around bioplastics, could the mainstream be awaiting?
“The last decade brought many new technologies to the surface, including for example HVO derived polyolefins and PEF from FDCA. During this decade, we will hopefully make bio-based plastics mainstream and ensure their value is appreciated also in collection, sorting and recycling because only then we can decouple fossil raw materials in a sustainable and resource-efficient manner from plastics”, concludes Nyman.