8 “Plastic-Killing” Materials to Know About in Fall 2024

Written By Kyle Dana

For the world to break up with plastic, better alternatives with less environmental impact must be identified and industrialized. Luckily for us, there are a lot of smart people out there working on developing and scaling some incredibly interesting technologies and alternatives. Here are 8 of the most compelling up-and-coming plastic alternatives in development as of Fall 2024:

1. Polylactic Acid (PLA) / Starch-based Plastics

  • Description: A bioplastic made from fermented plant starch (e.g., corn, potato, sugarcane), compostable under industrial conditions

  • Types of Plastic Replaced: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)

  • Applications: Packaging boxes, disposable tableware, cosmetic packaging, etc.

  • Companies: NatureWorks, Futerro SA, Luminy PLA (TotalEnergies Corbion), Novamont, Plantic Technologies, BioLogiQ

  • Pros:

    • Derived from renewable resources

    • Lower carbon involvement than traditional plastic

    • Versatile like petroleum-based plastic

    • Considered safer for food; phthalate free; less of a risk with endocrine disruptors

    • Suitable for a wide range of applications

    • Compostable under certain conditions (3-6 months)

  • Cons:

    • Less strong and durable than traditional plastic

    • Requires specific composting conditions (certain temperatures and humidities) not home-compostable

    • Many countries do not currently have the industrial composting treatment systems, causing PLA waste to be sent to incinerators

    • Easily mistaken for PET; if mixed with PET, could decrease the feasibility of recycling operations

    • Competes with food crops for land use

 2. Bacterial Cellulose

  • Description: Ultrafine cellulose nanofiber threads produced by bacteria and spun into useful plastic alternatives

  • Applications: Food packaging, coatings, films

  • Companies: Materic Group, Chinese University of Hong Kong

  • Pros:

    • Biodegradable (as quickly as 1-2 months) and compostable

    • Strong and flexible, with potential in various industries

    • Safe to eat, non-toxic to humans

    • Can be grown using waste materials as feedstock

    • Higher water-holding capacity and tensile strength than plant cellulose

  • Cons:

    • Expensive and difficult to produce on a large scale

    • Limited applications due to current production techniques

    • Still in early development stages for many applications

 3. Seaweed and Algae-Based Materials

  • Description: Made from seaweed or algae, these materials can be processed into films, coatings, and packaging that is compostable and sometimes even edible

  • Applications: Edible packaging, flexible films, polybags, utensils, food wraps, laundry sachets

  • Companies: Notpla, Bzeos, Sway, Loliware, Evoware

  • Pros:

    • Grows quickly without the need for fresh water or fertilizers

    • Leverages highly sustainable and abundant resource

    • Biodegradable and compostable in natural environments

    • Some materials are edible, offering zero waste

  • Cons:

    • Limited supply and higher production costs

    • Specific use cases, not as versatile

    • Performance may not match traditional plastics in all applications

    • Shelf-life and durability can be an issue for some uses

 4. Chitosan (Derived from Chitin)

  • Description: Made from the shells of crustaceans like shrimp and crabs and fish scales, chitosan-based materials have antimicrobial properties

  • Applications: Food packaging, medical dressings, films

  • Companies: MarinaTex, CuanTec

  • Pros:

    • Biodegradable and compostable.

    • Naturally antimicrobial, useful for food preservation.

    • Utilizes waste products from the seafood industry.

  • Cons:

    • Limited scalability due to the source material.

    • Not suitable for large-scale applications like traditional plastics.

    • Potential allergens for those sensitive to shellfish.

5. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)

  • Description: A biopolymer produced by bacterial fermentation of organic matter, biodegradable even in marine environments.

  • Applications: Packaging, utensils, single-use items, laminations, 

  • Companies: RWDC Industries, Danimer Scientific, Genecis Bioindustries

  • Pros:

    • Fully biodegradable in various environments, including oceans in 3 months

    • Derived from renewable sources like organic waste

    • Suitable for a wide range of applications

  • Cons:

    • High production cost compared to traditional plastics

    • Still in early stages of commercialization

    • Inferior thermal and mechanical properties than traditional plastics, more unstable

 6. Molded Fiber / Molded Pulp

  • Description: Made from recycled paper or natural fibers, molded fiber products are compostable and can replace styrofoam

  • Applications: Food containers, trays, protective packaging

  • Companies: Molded Fiber Technology, Sustainable Packaging Industries, Single Use Alternatives, Footprint

  • Pros:

    • Made from readily available recycled materials

    • Easily compostable at home and industrial composting

    • No petroleum involved

    • Eliminates forever chemicals

    • Shelf stable

  • Cons:

    • Limited to applications where water resistance is not critical

    • Less durable than plastic in some cases

    • May require coating for moisture barrier, which can affect compostability

    • Requires pulp and fiber, which, if not from recycled material, could increase demand for deforestation

 7. Liquid Wood (Arboform)

  • Description: A bioplastic made from lignin, a byproduct of the paper industry, which can be molded like plastic but is biodegradable.

  • Applications: Office supplies, household items, packaging

  • Companies: Tecnaro

  • Pros:

    • Made from waste material, reducing environmental impact

    • Can be used in applications requiring molded plastic

    • Biodegradable under the right conditions

  • Cons:

    • Limited production capacity

    • Not suitable for flexible or clear plastic applications

    • Heavier, more brittle and more expensive than conventional plastics

 8. Mycelium (Mushroom-Based Materials)

  • Description: Made from the root structure of mushrooms, mycelium can be grown into compostable packaging materials

  • Applications: Packaging, insulation

  • Companies: Mushroom Packaging by Ecovative, Grown Bio

  • Pros:

    • Completely compostable and grown from renewable resources

    • Can be tailored for different properties and applications

    • Flame resistant, chemical free, and water resistant

    • Suitable for protective packaging and construction materials

    • CO2 Neutral

  • Cons:

    • Limited scalability and production speed

    • Cannot replace all plastic applications, especially flexible films

    • Higher production costs than mass-produced plastics

As you can see, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the fight against plastic going forward. Even if the eight plastic alternative types discussed above are still far from achieving the scale requisite to supplant the traditional petroleum-based polymers, there are many breakthroughs happening in real time that promise to bring us closer to a more sustainable world.

SOURCES:



Kyle Dana
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