Bioplastics using Renewable Resources

Technically, polyolefins could be and could have been produced from renewable based resources, whether crops or, in the future, biomass and forestry waste. 

But today, renewable based feedstock like bio-ethanol, are directly competing with food commodities and are further not available in large enough quantities to envisage viable polymer production in Europe. Moreover, a shift to crop-based renewable feedstock raises fundamental issues regarding its economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Competition for renewable resources is raging between biofuels producers and other industry sectors as renewable resources are being diverted to biofuels and energy production. The fast shift of producers in favour of biofuels has further increased global tensions on the food commodities markets. and the sustainability of renewable feedstock and biofuels is hotly debated.

Sustainable feedstocks

Thanks to our feedstock flexibility, we do not consider biomass-based feedstock as a priority.  In the longer term, organising a stable and large-scale renewable feedstock supply upstream is a prerequisite for envisaging a large volume of bio-based polymers at competitive prices. Second generation biofuels from biomass and forestry waste could offer a more sustainable alternative to crops-based feedstock and Borealis is investigating this route with value chain partners and universities.

Share with us your feedback on your own perspective on renewable based plastics.