By USDA AFRI Grant no. 2011-67009-30055
Bioenergy & Bioproducts Education Programs
BIOENERGY AND BIOPRODUCTS
http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=oil_refining
Importance of Polymers
Plastic is in a lot of stuff!
What are some of the consequences
of the throw away culture?
What happens to single use plastic products
after we dispose of them?
Plastic does not biodegrade
Plastic Bottles
Plastic Bags
Where does it all end up?
Landfills
Accumulates in ecosystems
Accumulates in municipalities
Accumulates in local water sources
Great Pacific Garbage Patch
1. Public acceptance to bioproducts
March 31, 2011 USDA News
Deputy Agriculture Secretary
Kathleen Merrigan unveiled
today the first 60 products
that consumers will soon
see in stores throughout the
country bearing the new
USDA BioPreferred product
label for certified biobased
products
% of renewable
material
BioProducts
Benefits of BioProducts
Environmental
Environmental
Factors
Factors
• Renewable
• Renewable
• Carbon Neutral
• Carbon Neutral
• Local Production
• Local Production
• Biodegradable, Environmentally Compatible
Biodegradable,
•• Green
Chemistry, Environmentally
Reduced Toxicity Compatible
GreenEnergy
Chemistry,
Reduced Toxicity
•• Lower
Requirements
• Lower Energy Requirements
Bioproducts:
•Household cleaners
•Paints and stains
•Personal care items
•Plastic bottles & containers
•Packaging materials
•Office supplies
•Soaps & detergents
•Lubricants
•Clothing
•Plates, napkins, cutlery
•Building materials
Bioproducts
Source: OBIC
The most well-known plant resources tend to be
soybeans and corn; however, bioproducts are not limited
to just those plant resources. Below is a brief list of plant
resources that can be used in the creation of
bioproducts:
•Sunflowers
•Canola
•Miscanthus
•Mycelium (vegetative part of fungus)
•Switchgrass
•Algae
•Forest-derived materials
•Sugarcane
• Flax
•Potatoes
•Wheat
Source: OBIC
Benefits of bioproducts
Bioproducts shared 12% of target chemicals in
2010. Projected to 25% in 2030.
Biofuels
Bioplastics & polymers
Natural rubber & resins
Biocomposites
Biomedicines
Biochemicals
Benefits
Petro-independence
Biodegradable
Green jobs
Carbon neutral
Non/less toxic
Bioeconomy
Biopolymers
Synthetic polymers
Synthetic rubber, nylon, PVC,
polystyrene, polyethylene, silicone,
polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, …
Petro-based, non-biodegradable
Biopolymers
Polylactic acid (PLA), zein, rubber
(polyisoprene), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate,
fiber (cellulose)
Bio-based, carbon neutral
Biodegradable, compostable
Decompose to undistinguishable under nat. conditions in 5 yrs
>60% C to CO2 within 180 d under ind. composting conditions
Synthetic plastics & polymers
Polystyrene is a long chain of
many styrene units
Starch is a long chain of many
glucose units
Polylactic acid (PLA)
Polyester derived from plant starch or sugar
Starch→ lactic acid→ dilactate ester→ PLA
Glass transition T: 62ºC
Melting point: 175ºC
Used for bioplastics to make
biodegradable cups, food
packing, table wares, woven
shirts, and shrink wraps
Polylactic acid (PLA)
Polyester derived from plant starch or sugar
Starch→ lactic acid→ dilactate ester→ PLA
Glass transition T: 62ºC
Melting point: 175ºC
Used for bioplastics to make
biodegradable cups, food
packing, table wares, woven
shirts, and shrink wraps
Degradability of PLA products
Changes of a PLA bottle in 35 d composting
Degradability of PLA products
Decomposition of a PLA lid after 35 d composting
Cellophane
Derived from plant cellulose
Wood →alkali bath →acid bath →glycerin bath
Low permeability to air,
oils, greases, and bacteria
Used for food packing,
cigar packing, selfadhesive tapes, semipermeable membranes
Cellophane packing
Zein
Prolamine protein from maize gluten meal
Odorless, tasteless, hard,
water-insoluble, and edible
Used as a coating for candy,
nuts, fruit, pills, paper cup &
drug capsules, cap lining,
cloth fabric, button, and a
gum substitute
Natural rubber
Polyisoprene refined from latex
Used for manufacturing
tires & tubes, gloves,
balloons, adhesives,
pencil erasers, rubber
bands, rain boots, &
window profiles
Latex from a Para rubber tree
Bio-based adhesives
Starch-based bioadhesives
Made from starch
Water-based
Hot-melt
Uses
Glue labels & board
Binders for paints
For primering
For construction materials
Sticky tapes
Protein-based bioadhesives
Made from gelatin
Water-resistant
Strong
Nontoxic
Uses
Bookbinding
Paper converting
Assembly
Packaging
Jelly glue
Other bioadhesives
vs
vs
vs
How do we change a
consumer's behaviors?
Increased Consumer Demands
This is where Plant
Scientists come in!
What type of questions
might plant scientists
ask?
Activity
Eco-Friendly Packing Peanuts:
Making Them
and
Putting Them to the Test
Investigation 1:
Creating Effective Biodegradable Packing Peanuts
Challenge:
How can the chemical components be changed to create
a “better”, more effective biodegradable packing peanut.
Baking Powder
• When dissolved in water, acid salts reacts with
sodium bicarbonate and produces carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide creates bubbles within the mixture
forming gas pockets. Baking powder will
make the packing peanut fluffier.
Glycerol
• Is a plasticizer that gives plastics flexibility and
durability. Water was used in the standard.
Glycerol (derived from vegetable oil or animal fat).
Glycerol will make the packing peanut
flexible.