\n\n\n\n
Before we take a more in-depth look at the way in which these types of seaweed can be harnessed for the production of more eco-friendly plastics, it\u2019s important that we first clear up any confusion that may exist around a few key terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With many companies currently looking into production of alternative types of plastic, there are three main terms that tend to be used interchangeably, but in fact, each signify very different things: biodegradable-, compostable- and bioplastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a quick definition of each:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBiodegradable plastic is simply plastic that can be broken down at a molecular level through the actions of microorganisms and enzymes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This type of plastic can be derived from renewable, raw materials (bioplastics) or from petrochemicals containing biodegradable additives which enhance biodegradation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
COMPOSTABLE PLASTICS <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs the name suggests, these types of plastic can be broken down into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. Importantly, they do not leave any toxic material behind and can serve as fertiliser for plants. Another thing to keep in mind \u2013 they won\u2019t biodegrade in a landfill, because they need air, moisture and sunlight to break down properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BIOPLASTICS <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\u201cBioplastics are biodegradable materials that come from renewable sources and can be used to reduce the problem of plastic waste that is suffocating the planet and contaminating the environment.\u201d <\/em>This succinct description from Sustainability for All<\/a> really captures the essence of what bioplastics are all about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.faithful-to-nature.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bioplastic-Application_web.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWHAT KIND OF BIOPLASTICS ARE CURRENTLY BEING MADE? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThere are currently two main processes for the production of bioplastics, also known as bio-based plastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to National Geographic: \u201c[They] can either be made by extracting sugar from plants like corn and sugarcane to convert into polylactic acids (PLAs), or\u2026 from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) engineered from microorganisms.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nPLA has become particularly popular for the production of packaging items that are both biodegradable and compostable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The manufacture PLA products has proven to use 68% less energy than regular petroleum-based plastics, plus \u2013 subjected to the correct conditions – it can decompose into water and carbon dioxide within 47 to 90 days. This is four times faster than the average PET plastic bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IS BIOPLASTIC REALLY BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhile the advantages of bioplastics as a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived plastics are clear, there are also unfortunately, a few drawbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The first and biggest concern that has been raised about the manufacture of bioplastics, PLAs in particular, is the fact that they seem to pose a direct threat to food security. The big question is: how can one justify agricultural land being diverted to the production of crops that will solely be used for the manufacture of bioplastic in a world where food is becoming increasingly scarce?<\/li>
- Furthermore, cultivating crops for this purpose can end up being rather expensive, as the process will require fertilisers and chemicals.<\/li>
- Apart from that, for bioplastics to break down successfully, they require specific conditions that are not always easy to create. This means that, should they end up in landfills, or even worse, the ocean, they will break down in a similar manner to petroleum-based plastic, leaving micro-sized residue that still poses a serious threat to marine life. This is a key fact that many consumers are not aware of \u2013 and think that using this alternative is a solution to the waste problem.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.faithful-to-nature.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_7923_web.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWHY SEAWEED MIGHT BE OUR BEST BET <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s not all doom and gloom, however, as a number of recent studies have shown that certain types of seaweed could be used to create the bioplastics we\u2019ve all been hoping for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firstly, it would not require investment in agriculture land, which solves the food security question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secondly, seaweed \u2013 including the types that have been studied \u2013 grows abundantly without the need for any expensive and possibly polluting fertilisers or chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TWO CASE STUDIES: <\/strong>
While a lot more research is required to get a fuller picture of all the pros and cons, the following two case studies provide some fascinating initial insights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Wageningen University & Research<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nResearchers at Wageningen UR Food & Biobased<\/a> Research recently managed to develop successful processes for refining two types of seaweed into bioplastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThey extracted polylactic acid (PLA) from a type of sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca),<\/em> which proved to be suitable as a raw material for, among other things, biobased soft drink bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA type of red algae known as Gracilaria vermiculophylla, <\/em>in turn, seems to provide polysaccharides that can be used to make things like plastic packaging film.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce these possibilities had been discovered, the team of researchers – headed up by Sander van den Burg of LEI Wageningen UR<\/a> \u2013 conducted a lifestyle assessment to establish how economically viable and eco-friendly they really are.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThey mapped out the environmental impact of the entire production chain, from seaweed cultivation to the disposal of the end products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By doing this at a relatively early stage, they were able to establish which \u201clinks in the chain have the greatest environmental impact\u201d in order to work on improvements in a timely fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of their most exciting findings is that seaweed cultivation for the manufacturing of bioplastics proves to be very eco-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeaweed extracts nutrients directly from water,\u201d Van den Burg said in an article on the Wageningen University website<\/a>. \u201cUnlike with the cultivation of maize or sugar beet, no polluting fertilisers are used. Furthermore, seaweed cultivation has relatively few negative effects on biodiversity. All of this makes seaweed a very interesting commodity.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nThe biggest drawbacks proved to be, firstly, that for seaweed to become a viable option, cultivation would have to become a lot more efficient and secondly, finding a use for the residual products so as not to waste any part of the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet’s say you use 25% of the dry matter in the production of plastics \u2013 this still leaves around 75%. The challenge is to process the remainder \u2013 for example into animal feed \u2013 in a way that produces the highest possible quality,\u201d said Van den Burg. \u201cThe upshot is that this amount no longer needs to be produced from other types of biomass. And seaweed has the great advantage of not requiring valuable agricultural land.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
2. Evoware<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As the name suggests, these types of plastic can be broken down into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. Importantly, they do not leave any toxic material behind and can serve as fertiliser for plants. Another thing to keep in mind \u2013 they won\u2019t biodegrade in a landfill, because they need air, moisture and sunlight to break down properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BIOPLASTICS <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\u201cBioplastics are biodegradable materials that come from renewable sources and can be used to reduce the problem of plastic waste that is suffocating the planet and contaminating the environment.\u201d <\/em>This succinct description from Sustainability for All<\/a> really captures the essence of what bioplastics are all about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWHAT KIND OF BIOPLASTICS ARE CURRENTLY BEING MADE? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThere are currently two main processes for the production of bioplastics, also known as bio-based plastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to National Geographic: \u201c[They] can either be made by extracting sugar from plants like corn and sugarcane to convert into polylactic acids (PLAs), or\u2026 from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) engineered from microorganisms.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nPLA has become particularly popular for the production of packaging items that are both biodegradable and compostable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The manufacture PLA products has proven to use 68% less energy than regular petroleum-based plastics, plus \u2013 subjected to the correct conditions – it can decompose into water and carbon dioxide within 47 to 90 days. This is four times faster than the average PET plastic bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IS BIOPLASTIC REALLY BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhile the advantages of bioplastics as a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived plastics are clear, there are also unfortunately, a few drawbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The first and biggest concern that has been raised about the manufacture of bioplastics, PLAs in particular, is the fact that they seem to pose a direct threat to food security. The big question is: how can one justify agricultural land being diverted to the production of crops that will solely be used for the manufacture of bioplastic in a world where food is becoming increasingly scarce?<\/li>
- Furthermore, cultivating crops for this purpose can end up being rather expensive, as the process will require fertilisers and chemicals.<\/li>
- Apart from that, for bioplastics to break down successfully, they require specific conditions that are not always easy to create. This means that, should they end up in landfills, or even worse, the ocean, they will break down in a similar manner to petroleum-based plastic, leaving micro-sized residue that still poses a serious threat to marine life. This is a key fact that many consumers are not aware of \u2013 and think that using this alternative is a solution to the waste problem.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWHY SEAWEED MIGHT BE OUR BEST BET <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s not all doom and gloom, however, as a number of recent studies have shown that certain types of seaweed could be used to create the bioplastics we\u2019ve all been hoping for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firstly, it would not require investment in agriculture land, which solves the food security question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secondly, seaweed \u2013 including the types that have been studied \u2013 grows abundantly without the need for any expensive and possibly polluting fertilisers or chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TWO CASE STUDIES: <\/strong>
While a lot more research is required to get a fuller picture of all the pros and cons, the following two case studies provide some fascinating initial insights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Wageningen University & Research<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nResearchers at Wageningen UR Food & Biobased<\/a> Research recently managed to develop successful processes for refining two types of seaweed into bioplastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThey extracted polylactic acid (PLA) from a type of sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca),<\/em> which proved to be suitable as a raw material for, among other things, biobased soft drink bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA type of red algae known as Gracilaria vermiculophylla, <\/em>in turn, seems to provide polysaccharides that can be used to make things like plastic packaging film.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce these possibilities had been discovered, the team of researchers – headed up by Sander van den Burg of LEI Wageningen UR<\/a> \u2013 conducted a lifestyle assessment to establish how economically viable and eco-friendly they really are.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThey mapped out the environmental impact of the entire production chain, from seaweed cultivation to the disposal of the end products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By doing this at a relatively early stage, they were able to establish which \u201clinks in the chain have the greatest environmental impact\u201d in order to work on improvements in a timely fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of their most exciting findings is that seaweed cultivation for the manufacturing of bioplastics proves to be very eco-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeaweed extracts nutrients directly from water,\u201d Van den Burg said in an article on the Wageningen University website<\/a>. \u201cUnlike with the cultivation of maize or sugar beet, no polluting fertilisers are used. Furthermore, seaweed cultivation has relatively few negative effects on biodiversity. All of this makes seaweed a very interesting commodity.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nThe biggest drawbacks proved to be, firstly, that for seaweed to become a viable option, cultivation would have to become a lot more efficient and secondly, finding a use for the residual products so as not to waste any part of the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet’s say you use 25% of the dry matter in the production of plastics \u2013 this still leaves around 75%. The challenge is to process the remainder \u2013 for example into animal feed \u2013 in a way that produces the highest possible quality,\u201d said Van den Burg. \u201cThe upshot is that this amount no longer needs to be produced from other types of biomass. And seaweed has the great advantage of not requiring valuable agricultural land.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
2. Evoware<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWHAT KIND OF BIOPLASTICS ARE CURRENTLY BEING MADE? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThere are currently two main processes for the production of bioplastics, also known as bio-based plastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to National Geographic: \u201c[They] can either be made by extracting sugar from plants like corn and sugarcane to convert into polylactic acids (PLAs), or\u2026 from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) engineered from microorganisms.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nPLA has become particularly popular for the production of packaging items that are both biodegradable and compostable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The manufacture PLA products has proven to use 68% less energy than regular petroleum-based plastics, plus \u2013 subjected to the correct conditions – it can decompose into water and carbon dioxide within 47 to 90 days. This is four times faster than the average PET plastic bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IS BIOPLASTIC REALLY BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhile the advantages of bioplastics as a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived plastics are clear, there are also unfortunately, a few drawbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The first and biggest concern that has been raised about the manufacture of bioplastics, PLAs in particular, is the fact that they seem to pose a direct threat to food security. The big question is: how can one justify agricultural land being diverted to the production of crops that will solely be used for the manufacture of bioplastic in a world where food is becoming increasingly scarce?<\/li>
- Furthermore, cultivating crops for this purpose can end up being rather expensive, as the process will require fertilisers and chemicals.<\/li>
- Apart from that, for bioplastics to break down successfully, they require specific conditions that are not always easy to create. This means that, should they end up in landfills, or even worse, the ocean, they will break down in a similar manner to petroleum-based plastic, leaving micro-sized residue that still poses a serious threat to marine life. This is a key fact that many consumers are not aware of \u2013 and think that using this alternative is a solution to the waste problem.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWHY SEAWEED MIGHT BE OUR BEST BET <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s not all doom and gloom, however, as a number of recent studies have shown that certain types of seaweed could be used to create the bioplastics we\u2019ve all been hoping for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firstly, it would not require investment in agriculture land, which solves the food security question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secondly, seaweed \u2013 including the types that have been studied \u2013 grows abundantly without the need for any expensive and possibly polluting fertilisers or chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TWO CASE STUDIES: <\/strong>
While a lot more research is required to get a fuller picture of all the pros and cons, the following two case studies provide some fascinating initial insights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Wageningen University & Research<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nResearchers at Wageningen UR Food & Biobased<\/a> Research recently managed to develop successful processes for refining two types of seaweed into bioplastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThey extracted polylactic acid (PLA) from a type of sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca),<\/em> which proved to be suitable as a raw material for, among other things, biobased soft drink bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA type of red algae known as Gracilaria vermiculophylla, <\/em>in turn, seems to provide polysaccharides that can be used to make things like plastic packaging film.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce these possibilities had been discovered, the team of researchers – headed up by Sander van den Burg of LEI Wageningen UR<\/a> \u2013 conducted a lifestyle assessment to establish how economically viable and eco-friendly they really are.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThey mapped out the environmental impact of the entire production chain, from seaweed cultivation to the disposal of the end products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By doing this at a relatively early stage, they were able to establish which \u201clinks in the chain have the greatest environmental impact\u201d in order to work on improvements in a timely fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of their most exciting findings is that seaweed cultivation for the manufacturing of bioplastics proves to be very eco-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeaweed extracts nutrients directly from water,\u201d Van den Burg said in an article on the Wageningen University website<\/a>. \u201cUnlike with the cultivation of maize or sugar beet, no polluting fertilisers are used. Furthermore, seaweed cultivation has relatively few negative effects on biodiversity. All of this makes seaweed a very interesting commodity.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nThe biggest drawbacks proved to be, firstly, that for seaweed to become a viable option, cultivation would have to become a lot more efficient and secondly, finding a use for the residual products so as not to waste any part of the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet’s say you use 25% of the dry matter in the production of plastics \u2013 this still leaves around 75%. The challenge is to process the remainder \u2013 for example into animal feed \u2013 in a way that produces the highest possible quality,\u201d said Van den Burg. \u201cThe upshot is that this amount no longer needs to be produced from other types of biomass. And seaweed has the great advantage of not requiring valuable agricultural land.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
2. Evoware<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
According to National Geographic: \u201c[They] can either be made by extracting sugar from plants like corn and sugarcane to convert into polylactic acids (PLAs), or\u2026 from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) engineered from microorganisms.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n PLA has become particularly popular for the production of packaging items that are both biodegradable and compostable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The manufacture PLA products has proven to use 68% less energy than regular petroleum-based plastics, plus \u2013 subjected to the correct conditions – it can decompose into water and carbon dioxide within 47 to 90 days. This is four times faster than the average PET plastic bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the advantages of bioplastics as a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived plastics are clear, there are also unfortunately, a few drawbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not all doom and gloom, however, as a number of recent studies have shown that certain types of seaweed could be used to create the bioplastics we\u2019ve all been hoping for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Firstly, it would not require investment in agriculture land, which solves the food security question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Secondly, seaweed \u2013 including the types that have been studied \u2013 grows abundantly without the need for any expensive and possibly polluting fertilisers or chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n TWO CASE STUDIES: <\/strong> Researchers at Wageningen UR Food & Biobased<\/a> Research recently managed to develop successful processes for refining two types of seaweed into bioplastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They extracted polylactic acid (PLA) from a type of sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca),<\/em> which proved to be suitable as a raw material for, among other things, biobased soft drink bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A type of red algae known as Gracilaria vermiculophylla, <\/em>in turn, seems to provide polysaccharides that can be used to make things like plastic packaging film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once these possibilities had been discovered, the team of researchers – headed up by Sander van den Burg of LEI Wageningen UR<\/a> \u2013 conducted a lifestyle assessment to establish how economically viable and eco-friendly they really are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They mapped out the environmental impact of the entire production chain, from seaweed cultivation to the disposal of the end products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By doing this at a relatively early stage, they were able to establish which \u201clinks in the chain have the greatest environmental impact\u201d in order to work on improvements in a timely fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of their most exciting findings is that seaweed cultivation for the manufacturing of bioplastics proves to be very eco-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSeaweed extracts nutrients directly from water,\u201d Van den Burg said in an article on the Wageningen University website<\/a>. \u201cUnlike with the cultivation of maize or sugar beet, no polluting fertilisers are used. Furthermore, seaweed cultivation has relatively few negative effects on biodiversity. All of this makes seaweed a very interesting commodity.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The biggest drawbacks proved to be, firstly, that for seaweed to become a viable option, cultivation would have to become a lot more efficient and secondly, finding a use for the residual products so as not to waste any part of the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet’s say you use 25% of the dry matter in the production of plastics \u2013 this still leaves around 75%. The challenge is to process the remainder \u2013 for example into animal feed \u2013 in a way that produces the highest possible quality,\u201d said Van den Burg. \u201cThe upshot is that this amount no longer needs to be produced from other types of biomass. And seaweed has the great advantage of not requiring valuable agricultural land.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nIS BIOPLASTIC REALLY BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nWHY SEAWEED MIGHT BE OUR BEST BET <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
While a lot more research is required to get a fuller picture of all the pros and cons, the following two case studies provide some fascinating initial insights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Wageningen University & Research<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Evoware<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n