07/27/2022
By Jacqueline White
Join Plastics Engineering Professor Ramaswamy Nagarajan for an upcoming webinar, Biobased Plastics and Sustainability – Aspirations and Reality.
When: Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022
Time: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. ET
This webinar is offered by UMass Lowell in technical partnership with Plastindia International University.
Overview:
With the global bioplastics and biopolymers forecast at US$ 5.9 B by 2028 with a predicted CAGR of 7.0% over the next decade, it is incumbent upon us to better understand bioplastics in the context of sustainability. This webinar will provide a brief overview of definitions and standards used to classify biobased/bio-derived, biodegradable and compostable plastics. The participants will be introduced to a range of bioderived polymers as well as part-biobased polymers derived from naturally occurring precursors. Gross energy requirements, greenhouse gas emissions for production of the bioplastics and biodegradation in landfills or in composting scenarios, land use for food versus bioplastic feedstock production are important considerations while trying to bridge the gap between the aspirations and reality for these materials. The possibilities of using waste byproducts as feedstock for the production of biopolymers and additives will also be discussed.
Participants will become familiar with:
- Definitions and standards for biobased/bio-derived and biodegradable, compostable plastics
- Common polymers from renewable resources
- Comparisons of energy requirements, greenhouse gas emissions for production and end of life aspects of the bioplastics
- Possibilities of using waste byproducts as feedstock for the production of biopolymers and additives