Jim Lunt's bioplastic presentation at Plastics News Executive Forum in Tampa, Florida, on March 7-10. http://www.jimluntllc.com/company/management.html

1. The World of Bioplastics
Dr. Jim Lunt

2. Biobased & Biodegradable
Biobased Plastics
Major focus is on the “origin of life”
or where did the carbon come from
(ASTM D6866). Uses C14 content measurement.
Biodegradable (Compostable) Plastics
Focus is on “end of life or disposal.”
Independent of Carbon Source Standards
EN 13432 and ASTM D6400.
These two classes are, however,
not mutually exclusive.

3. Projected Biomaterials Trends

4. Projected Biomaterials Trends
Global
Demand
for bioplastics will
increase more than
fourfold to
900,000
tonnes in
2013.
(Freedonia)

5. Projected Biomaterials Trends
Global
Production
Global of bioplastics will
Demand increase sixfold to
for bioplastics will
increase more than
fourfold to
1.5
million
900,000 tonnes
tonnes in by 2011.
2013. up from 262,000
tonnes in 2007.
(Freedonia)
(European
Bioplastics)

6. Projected Biomaterials Trends
Production
Global Capacity
Production of bio-based
Global of bioplastics will plastics is projected
Demand increase sixfold to to increase from
for bioplastics will 360,000 tonnes
in 2007 to about
increase more than
fourfold to
1.5
million 2.3
900,000 tonnes MILLION
metric tons by 2011. tonnes
in 2013. up from 262,000 by 2013.
tonnes in 2007.
(Freedonia)
(European
(European Bioplastics)
Bioplastics)

7. Projected Biomaterials Trends
Increasing demand for biobased, durable products
in electronics and automotive applications.
By 2011 durables are expected to account
for almost 40% of bioplastics –
compared with 12% today.
(European Bioplastics)

8. Projected Biomaterials Trends
Bioplastics will still only be
1% of the approximate 230 million tonnes
of plastics in use today.

9. What is Driving
this Growth?
Oil Independence
Environmental
Pollution
Global Warming
Human Health
Concerns
Legislation

10. Legislation Against Petroleum Based Plastics

11. Key Legislative Initiatives for Bioplastics
Japan
Government has set a goal that 20% of all plastics
consumed in Japan will be renewably sourced by 2020.
Germany
Ban on land filling solid waste with over 5% organic content.
Biodegradable plastics exempt from the
recycling directive until 2012.
Savings of 1.3 €/kg in favor of compostable bioplastics.
USA
Federal Farm Bill - Energy Title 9
Each Federal agency must design a plan to purchase as
many biobased plastics as practically possible.
Federal procurement plan will be based on biobased
content, price and performance.

12. The Evolving Biobased Plastics Landscape

13. Biobased Polymer Capacities
For Major Players
Product Company Location Capacity/mt Price/#
PLA Natureworks USA 140,000 0.85-1.20
PLA Hisun China 5,000 1.25
PHA’s Metabolix USA 300/50,000 2.50-2.75
(2010)
PHBH Meridian/Kaneka USA 150,000? n/a
PHBV Tianan China 2,000 2.40-2.50
Materbi Novamont Eu 75,000 2.0-3.0
Cereplast Cereplast USA 25,000 1.50-2.50
HDPE/LDPE Braskem SA 200,000 0.80-1.00
/PP (2010)

14. The Biobased Leaders Today
WHO? WHAT?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
NatureWorks, Hisun PLA
Novamont Mater-Bi, Origo Bi
Cereplast Cereplast
Dupont BIOMAX (PTT, Plantic)
Tianjin Bio Green /DSM PHA
Tianan Biologic PHBV
Metabolix PHA
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Braskem Green Polyethylene

15. Who May Be the
Biobased Leaders Tomorrow?
WHO? WHAT?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Braskem HDPE, LLDPE, PP
Dow/Crystalsev HDPE
DuPont PTT; PBT; Nylon 6,12
Arkema Nylon 11,Pebax
Durable BASF Nylon 6,10
Rohm & Haas Acrylics
Dow, Cargill Soy based urethanes
NatureWorks LLC PLA Blends
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Novamont Origo Bio
Degradable NatureWorks PLA
Metabolix PHA’s
DSM PHA’S

16. Why The Change?
Continuing lack of infrastructure for use
and disposal of compostable plastics.
Many biobased plastics players too focused on
compostability as the key differentiating asset.
Increasing demand for biobased, semi durable
and durable products for household goods,
electronics and automotive applications.
Increasing interest and developments in existing
and new monomers from renewable resources.

17. Key Compostable Bioplastics
…………………….……………………………………………………………
Starch/PLA/ECOFLEX Polylactic Acid (PLA)
O O
HO HO
OH OH
H H3C
CH3 H
L-Lactic Acid D-Lactic Acid
(0.5%)
Compounded
Biobased Compostable 100% Renewable & Compostable

18. Compostable Bioplastics
Second Generation
Poly Hydroxy Alkanoates
(PHA’s)

19. Compostable Bioplastics Do Not Yet
Meet the Needs for Durables
Areas of Concern
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………
…………………….……………………………..……………
…………………….……………………………..……………
Starch Blends PLA PHA’S
Hydrolytic stability Hydrolytic Stability Hydrolytic Stability
Distortion Temp Distortion Temp
(amorphous)
Vapor Transmission Vapor Transmission
Shelf Life Shelf Life Shelf Life
Impact Resistance Processability
Melt Strength Melt Strength
Economics

20. Other Durable Bioplastics
Are Appearing
Polyethylene from Sugar Cane
Nylon 6 from Lycine
PET from Sugar
Polyurethane Using Soy Based Alcohols
Increasing Synergism with the Biofuels Initiatives

21. Next Generation of
Bioplastic “Building Blocks"
Monomers from Sugar / Cellulosic Biomass
…………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Succinic acid (DSM, Bioamber, Roquette, Mitsubishi Chemical)
3-hydroxy propionic acid (Cargill, Codexis)
Acrylic acid (Ceres, Rohm & Haas)
Aspartic acid (China)
Levulinic acid (China)
Sorbitol (Cargill, ADM, Roquette)
Ethylene/ethylene glycol (Braskem, India Glycols)
Propylene/propane 1,3 diol (Braskem, DuPont / Tate & Lyle)
Butylene/butane diol (Genomatica)
Lysine/caprolactam (Draths)
Terephthalic acid (Gevo)
Adipic acid
Isoprene (Goodyear, Genenco)
FDCA- Avantium

22. Next Generation of
Bioplastic “Building Blocks"
Monomers / Intermediates from Vegetable Oils
……………...………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Glycerol
Acrylic acid (Arkema)
Propane, 1,2 diol (ADM)
Soy based polyols (Dow, Cargill)
Castor oil / 12 hydroxy stearic acid (India)
Amino undecanoic acid (Atofina)

23. The Future For Bioplastics
Will Depend On…
Expanding from Single Use Compostable
to Durable Applications
Transitioning from Oil Based to Renewable Feedstocks
Addressing Issues –
Sociological, Environmental & Political
Composting/Recycling Infrastructure Developments

24. Thank You