Bio-Plastic … I

What is bio-plastic? Bio-plastic is one among the many kinds of plastics. It is derived from renewable biomass sources. These biomass sources are vegetable oil, corn starch, pea starch, or even those derived from petroleum. Bio-plastic has many uses. It can be a direct replacement for traditional plastics. On the other hand, it can also be mixed with traditional plastics to create blends. Actually, bio-plastics are certified “compostable plastics” based from several international organizations. For a certain kind of plastic to be called as bio-plastic, it must meet some criteria. First, it should be biodegradable in which under appropriate conditions, plastic must break down into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass, all at the same rate. Second is disintegrating, wherein once it breaks down, you will no longer determine plastic from other kinds of composts. Last, is the so-called eco-toxicity. Eco-toxicity means that bio-plastic must not produce toxic once it decomposed. In addition, the compost must be able to support plant life.

 

Now, how are bio-plastics made? Actually, there are many ways of making bio-plastics. It could vary depending upon the materials, equipment, or processes used. One way of making bio-plastic is through the use of maple syrup. The use of this particular kind of syrup is discovered by a researcher in Canada. To aid in the making of bio-plastic, it was found out that a particular bacteria known as “alcaligenes latus” has a sweet tooth. In addition, it behaves voraciously when exposed to maple sap and syrup. Not just that, the said bacteria is also capable of transforming sugars in the sap into natural polymers. These polymers then are used to make biodegradable plastic-like materials. Another way of creating bio-plastic is through the use of several plants. Newly developed plastics coming from plant-based raw materials are now emerging. Plus, these are not hazardous when it comes to production and decomposition. Some examples of plants synthesized to become bio-plastic are: corn, soy, sugar cane, and other crops. In fact, there are most common resins found in corn starch─ the Mater-bi and Polyactide.

 

At this point, what is the essence of talking about bio-plastics? Well, the answer is simple─ for you to easily understand the kind of car that we will be discussing in this article. The said cars are made up of bio-plastic. Bio-plastic? Car? Yes, you read it right cars made from bio-plastics. As I was browsing the internet, I came up with this interesting topic. Actually, I found out that Mazda is one who signed joint research agreement with Hiroshima University in Japan. The said research contains developing bio-plastic future car. In this particular research, entails creating bio-plastic from non-food resources such as cellulosic biomass. Ethanol is also utilized as a transitional product used in creating polypropylene (a plastic used in automotive industry). In detail process starts from creating ethanol from biomass. Then, the ethanol is transformed into ethylene and propylene (the precursors of polypropylene). The main focus of the said research is in strength, heat resistance, and durability.

 

Aforementioned is the beginning of bio-plastic in the automotive arena. Watch out for the next article that will feature cars made from bio-plastic!