Biopolymers & Bioplastics - A High-growth industry?

Biopolymers - will they take the world by storm?

If you have not heard of biopolymers, you will, soon.

What are biopolymers, or in simplistic language (though not precise) bioplastics?

Biopolymers are polymers generated from renewable natural sources. Biopolymers are often biodegradable, and not toxic to produce. The polymers and plastics that we use today are mostly made from synthetic sources such as petroleum. In addition to the fact that petroleum is a non-renewable source ( we will run out of oil in the next about 100 years), most synthetic plastics are not biodegradable, thus causing a lot of harm to the environment.

Biopolymers can be produced by biological systems (i.e. micro-organisms, plants and animals), or chemically synthesized from biological starting materials (e.g. sugars, starch, natural fats or oils, etc.).

As an alternative to petroleum-based polymers, biopolmers have properties similar to traditional polymers and plastics.

With the world becoming increasingly green-conscious, anyone looking for big opportunities will do well to keep an eye on the biopolymer industry's growth.