The AllThings.Bio Slideshow
Europe’s economy is largely dependent on fossil resources, for chemistry and energy, and as raw materials for numerous products.
But these resources are increasingly scarce and using them harms the environment and our climate.
It is, however, now possible to produce many everyday products from organic raw materials from agriculture, forestry and marine resources.
Items produced from these resources are known as bio-based products. That is, products partly or wholly made from biomass – organic matter, such as wood, corn, sugar beet and vegetable oil.
This guide will introduce you to some surprising, and not so surprising, everyday products that can be produced from biomass.
But these resources are increasingly scarce and using them harms the environment and our climate.
It is, however, now possible to produce many everyday products from organic raw materials from agriculture, forestry and marine resources.
Items produced from these resources are known as bio-based products. That is, products partly or wholly made from biomass – organic matter, such as wood, corn, sugar beet and vegetable oil.
This guide will introduce you to some surprising, and not so surprising, everyday products that can be produced from biomass.
Bio-based carsPlastic is an increasingly popular material to use in cars. Manufacturers like it because it reduces weight, which helps to improve performance.
A
car, on average, has over 20,000 different parts, which are often made
from petroleum based plastic. Manufacturers like plastic because it
reduces weight, which improves performance. But they are increasingly
looking for bio-based alternatives, as they come under pressure to
reduce their environmental impact.
Cars also contain composite materials – for example in door and floor panels – and the supporting synthetic fibres in these can be replaced with plant fibres, such as hemp and flax. In 2012, the European car industry processed approximately 80,000 tonnes of wood and natural fibres into composites.
According to some industry experts, most interior components in a car could be made from bio-based materials.
Learn more about this:
World’s first biocomposite car
Automotive materials go green
Cars also contain composite materials – for example in door and floor panels – and the supporting synthetic fibres in these can be replaced with plant fibres, such as hemp and flax. In 2012, the European car industry processed approximately 80,000 tonnes of wood and natural fibres into composites.
According to some industry experts, most interior components in a car could be made from bio-based materials.
Learn more about this:
World’s first biocomposite car
Automotive materials go green
Clothing
Wood has many uses, but did you know it can be turned into fibres for clothing?
Rayon and other man-made fibres, like lyocell, modal and viscose, are man-made fibres produced from cellulose – a component of plant cell walls – extracted from bamboo and wood, such as spruce and beech. These fibres are known as regenerated cellulose fibres.
Chemical processes are used to break down the natural polymers in the cellulose. These are then reformed into fibres that can be spun and woven into fabric and turned into clothes.
Learn more about this:
Bamboo Boom: Is This Material for You?
Ryon Fibers
Rayon and other man-made fibres, like lyocell, modal and viscose, are man-made fibres produced from cellulose – a component of plant cell walls – extracted from bamboo and wood, such as spruce and beech. These fibres are known as regenerated cellulose fibres.
Chemical processes are used to break down the natural polymers in the cellulose. These are then reformed into fibres that can be spun and woven into fabric and turned into clothes.
Learn more about this:
Bamboo Boom: Is This Material for You?
Ryon Fibers
Shoes
Shoes are normally made from a mixture of different materials, such as textiles, plastics, elastomers (elastic polymers like rubber) and leather.
Leather, rubber and many textiles, are already bio-based – made from organic matter. But plastics and non-rubber elastomers, are generally derived from petrochemicals, as are some man-made textiles.
It is now possible, however, to produce plastics, non-rubber elastomers and many different synthetic textiles from biomass. This means that we can produce completely bio-based – and compostable – shoes.
A number of large clothing companies, including Adidas and Reebok, have announced plans to start producing compostable, bio-based shoes in the near future.
Leather, rubber and many textiles, are already bio-based – made from organic matter. But plastics and non-rubber elastomers, are generally derived from petrochemicals, as are some man-made textiles.
It is now possible, however, to produce plastics, non-rubber elastomers and many different synthetic textiles from biomass. This means that we can produce completely bio-based – and compostable – shoes.
A number of large clothing companies, including Adidas and Reebok, have announced plans to start producing compostable, bio-based shoes in the near future.
Compostable plastic bags
Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue, as it can stay for hundreds of years in our environment. The problem arises due to uncontrolled disposal. When separately collected, or sorted out, plastic material - including bags - can in principle be recycled. But worldwide this happens only to 10% of the plastic waste stream.
It is now also possible to buy compostable plastic bags. Being produced from organic matter like e.g. corn or potato starch, they are bio-based and help conserving fossil reserves.
While these bags do not solve the plastic problem – only a reduction in plastic use and waste will – they are a step in the right direction. Nowadays these bags are industrially compostable under controlled conditions but the EU is considering regulation for home-compostable plastics. Some EU countries have already introduced such standards.
Learn more about this:
Bio-based and biodegradable plastics – Facts and Figures
Policy suggestions for biobased biodegradable plastics
Biodegradable plastics
Composting at Harvard
It is now also possible to buy compostable plastic bags. Being produced from organic matter like e.g. corn or potato starch, they are bio-based and help conserving fossil reserves.
While these bags do not solve the plastic problem – only a reduction in plastic use and waste will – they are a step in the right direction. Nowadays these bags are industrially compostable under controlled conditions but the EU is considering regulation for home-compostable plastics. Some EU countries have already introduced such standards.
Learn more about this:
Bio-based and biodegradable plastics – Facts and Figures
Policy suggestions for biobased biodegradable plastics
Biodegradable plastics
Composting at Harvard
Plastic toys
Plastic toys are everywhere and with good reason. Plastic is ideal for toys. It is cheap and durable, and can be moulded into pretty much any shape.
Most plastics are derived from petrochemicals. But it is possible to produce plastic from biomass. These plastics are known as bioplastics.
Bioplastics are produced from materials such as sugar, cellulose – a component of plant cell walls – and starch. Some are biodegradable, but not all.
There are now a number of companies that make toys that are wholly or partly made of bioplastic.
These include companies both in Europe, like JELU-WERK, and worldwide, such as Bioserie, Green Toys and BanBao.
In 2015, toy giant Lego announced that it hopes to replace all the plastic in its products with bioplastics by 2030. The company says that making plastic from renewable raw materials will reduce its environmental footprint and reliance on fossil resources.
Lear more about this:
How toymakers are taking the lead on bio-based plastics
Most plastics are derived from petrochemicals. But it is possible to produce plastic from biomass. These plastics are known as bioplastics.
Bioplastics are produced from materials such as sugar, cellulose – a component of plant cell walls – and starch. Some are biodegradable, but not all.
There are now a number of companies that make toys that are wholly or partly made of bioplastic.
These include companies both in Europe, like JELU-WERK, and worldwide, such as Bioserie, Green Toys and BanBao.
In 2015, toy giant Lego announced that it hopes to replace all the plastic in its products with bioplastics by 2030. The company says that making plastic from renewable raw materials will reduce its environmental footprint and reliance on fossil resources.
Lear more about this:
How toymakers are taking the lead on bio-based plastics
Plant pots
If you buy a plant it is likely to come in a plastic pot. And if you grow your own from seed you will probably use plastic pots. Such plastic pots are very convenient, but they are often thrown away after being used only once.
The consumption of single-use, disposable plastic contributes significantly to plastic pollution. But it is possible to buy compostable plant pots made from bio-based materials.
These pots can be pressed from fibrous organic matter, such as coconut husk (coir), rice hulls and cow manure, or produced from bioplastics like PLA. PLA is a biodegradable polyester based on lactic acid extracted from agricultural products such as potatoes, maize and wheat.
Some of these containers will biodegrade so quickly that they can be put in the ground with the plant, breaking down as the roots push through. While the rest can be thrown on the compost heap.
Learn more about this:
Alternative Containers for a Sustainable Greenhouse and Nursery Crop Production (PDF)
The consumption of single-use, disposable plastic contributes significantly to plastic pollution. But it is possible to buy compostable plant pots made from bio-based materials.
These pots can be pressed from fibrous organic matter, such as coconut husk (coir), rice hulls and cow manure, or produced from bioplastics like PLA. PLA is a biodegradable polyester based on lactic acid extracted from agricultural products such as potatoes, maize and wheat.
Some of these containers will biodegrade so quickly that they can be put in the ground with the plant, breaking down as the roots push through. While the rest can be thrown on the compost heap.
Learn more about this:
Alternative Containers for a Sustainable Greenhouse and Nursery Crop Production (PDF)
Palm leaf plates
Did you know that you can make a disposable plate from a leaf, and nothing else?
There are now a number of companies that make such plates from palm tree leafs. Most palms grow in tropical and subtropical climates. Their leaves are thick and sturdy, and very different from those that fall from European trees.
To make them into plates, the leaves are washed, dried and moulded with a heated press into the required shape.
The process – a traditional technique from India – uses leafs that have been naturally shed from the trees. And a single leaf can make multiple plates.
The technique can also be used to produce bowls, cups and utensils.
As they are just leafs, these products are completely compostable.
Learn more about this:
Palm Leaf Plates Q&A
There are now a number of companies that make such plates from palm tree leafs. Most palms grow in tropical and subtropical climates. Their leaves are thick and sturdy, and very different from those that fall from European trees.
To make them into plates, the leaves are washed, dried and moulded with a heated press into the required shape.
The process – a traditional technique from India – uses leafs that have been naturally shed from the trees. And a single leaf can make multiple plates.
The technique can also be used to produce bowls, cups and utensils.
As they are just leafs, these products are completely compostable.
Learn more about this:
Palm Leaf Plates Q&A
Washing up liquid
Washing up liquid is a common household detergent that helps prevent foodborne illnesses.
To break down grease and remove stuck food from dishes and cooking utensils, washing up liquid normally contains various chemical agents, such as surfactants.
Most of these chemicals are produced from petroleum – crude oil. But technological advances have made it possible to produce some of them – or suitable alternatives – from organic matter, such as rapeseed oil.
There are now a number of washing up liquids on the market that use these bio-based chemicals.
They are also being used in other household items, like laundry detergent and bathroom cleaner.
Learn more about this:
EU Ecolabel Cleaning Up
To break down grease and remove stuck food from dishes and cooking utensils, washing up liquid normally contains various chemical agents, such as surfactants.
Most of these chemicals are produced from petroleum – crude oil. But technological advances have made it possible to produce some of them – or suitable alternatives – from organic matter, such as rapeseed oil.
There are now a number of washing up liquids on the market that use these bio-based chemicals.
They are also being used in other household items, like laundry detergent and bathroom cleaner.
Learn more about this:
EU Ecolabel Cleaning Up
Carpets and flooring
Bio-based products are not new – many have been used for a long time. You probably have some in your home, underfoot.
Wool is a popular natural fibre to use in carpets and rugs. It is strong, resistant to wear, and has good natural sound and heat insulation properties.
Carpets can also be woven from plant fibres, such as seagrass, coir, jute and sisal, and synthetic bio-based fibres, which are produced by breaking down and reforming organic matter.
And most hard flooring is made from natural products – wood, bamboo, cork and stone.
The floor covering linoleum is also made from renewable, natural materials and is compostable. Invented in England in the 1860s, it is made by solidifying materials such as linseed oil, cork powder and plant resin on to a backing fabric – usually burlap or canvas. Linoleum is very popular in healthcare settings, due to its antimicrobial properties and durability.
Learn more about this:
Green and natural linoleum flooring
Bio-Based Flooring Alternatives
Natural Carpet Fiber Choices
Wool is a popular natural fibre to use in carpets and rugs. It is strong, resistant to wear, and has good natural sound and heat insulation properties.
Carpets can also be woven from plant fibres, such as seagrass, coir, jute and sisal, and synthetic bio-based fibres, which are produced by breaking down and reforming organic matter.
And most hard flooring is made from natural products – wood, bamboo, cork and stone.
The floor covering linoleum is also made from renewable, natural materials and is compostable. Invented in England in the 1860s, it is made by solidifying materials such as linseed oil, cork powder and plant resin on to a backing fabric – usually burlap or canvas. Linoleum is very popular in healthcare settings, due to its antimicrobial properties and durability.
Learn more about this:
Green and natural linoleum flooring
Bio-Based Flooring Alternatives
Natural Carpet Fiber Choices
Building insulation
Good insulation is important. It helps keep buildings warm in the winter and cool in the summer, cuts energy costs and reduces unwelcome noise.
Conventional insulation products are often made from synthetic foams and fibres, but it is possible to produce insulation from organic matter.
These bio-based insulation products can be made from plants like flax and hemp, and agricultural by-products, such as straw – the leftover stalks from cereal crops. Reusing these existing resources could help lower the environmental impact of manufacturing insulation. Bio-based insulation typically also has much lower “embodied energy” costs than more conventional building materials.
Scientists think that novel insulation materials based on plant waste may offer better insulation than conventional materials, which would mean lower fuel bills and reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
Learn more about this:
MultiHemp Study (PDF)
50 Technologies d'avenir dans le bâtiment (PDF)
Conventional insulation products are often made from synthetic foams and fibres, but it is possible to produce insulation from organic matter.
These bio-based insulation products can be made from plants like flax and hemp, and agricultural by-products, such as straw – the leftover stalks from cereal crops. Reusing these existing resources could help lower the environmental impact of manufacturing insulation. Bio-based insulation typically also has much lower “embodied energy” costs than more conventional building materials.
Scientists think that novel insulation materials based on plant waste may offer better insulation than conventional materials, which would mean lower fuel bills and reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
Learn more about this:
MultiHemp Study (PDF)
50 Technologies d'avenir dans le bâtiment (PDF)
Paint
Early paints were made from natural raw materials such as water, clay, chalk and casein (a milk protein). Their pigments were also natural – mainly plant products and minerals.
Most modern paints, however, contain chemical substances such as solvents, binders and surfactants. These can help to make the paints harder wearing, longer lasting, easier to apply and better at holding colour.
Traditionally these ingredients are derived from petrochemicals, but technological advances have made it possible to manufacture many of them from organic matter. This can lower carbon dioxide emissions, particularly if green chemistry methods are used, and reduces reliance on fossil resources.
Bio-based alternatives are also available. Some of these produce fewer volatile chemicals than their petrochemical counterparts, while others are biodegradable.
There are now a number of paints – and other coatings – with bio-based ingredients available, for the consumer and industrial market.
Learn more about this:
ECOBIOFOR
Most modern paints, however, contain chemical substances such as solvents, binders and surfactants. These can help to make the paints harder wearing, longer lasting, easier to apply and better at holding colour.
Traditionally these ingredients are derived from petrochemicals, but technological advances have made it possible to manufacture many of them from organic matter. This can lower carbon dioxide emissions, particularly if green chemistry methods are used, and reduces reliance on fossil resources.
Bio-based alternatives are also available. Some of these produce fewer volatile chemicals than their petrochemical counterparts, while others are biodegradable.
There are now a number of paints – and other coatings – with bio-based ingredients available, for the consumer and industrial market.
Learn more about this:
ECOBIOFOR
Biofuels for transportation
Biofuels are fuels produced from biomass. When discussing fuel for vehicles it normally means liquid fuels, such as biodiesel and ethanol.
First generation or conventional biofuels are those produced from crops traditionally used as food or animal feed, such as corn. Biofuels made from non-food biomass, like forestry waste, agricultural by-products and purpose-grown crops, are known as second generation or advanced biofuels.
The main advantage of biofuels, over fossil fuels, is lower carbon dioxide emissions over their full life cycle. And they can be produced from renewable, sustainable raw materials.
Most biofuels are blends. For example, E10 is a 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded petrol mix that can be used in most petrol cars.
According to the International Air Transport Association, between 2011 and 2015 more than 2,500 commercial flights used blends of up to 50% biofuel.
Learn more about this:
ETIP Bioenergy
Core - JetFuel
Biofuels for air transport
Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuels
First generation or conventional biofuels are those produced from crops traditionally used as food or animal feed, such as corn. Biofuels made from non-food biomass, like forestry waste, agricultural by-products and purpose-grown crops, are known as second generation or advanced biofuels.
The main advantage of biofuels, over fossil fuels, is lower carbon dioxide emissions over their full life cycle. And they can be produced from renewable, sustainable raw materials.
Most biofuels are blends. For example, E10 is a 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded petrol mix that can be used in most petrol cars.
According to the International Air Transport Association, between 2011 and 2015 more than 2,500 commercial flights used blends of up to 50% biofuel.
Learn more about this:
ETIP Bioenergy
Core - JetFuel
Biofuels for air transport
Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuels
Credits
Produced for BioCannDo Project, in collaboration with:
iCons
FNR - Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V.
BTG - Biomass Technology Group BV
Visit the AllThings.Bio infohub:
www.allthings.bio
BioCannDo has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 720732.
iCons
FNR - Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V.
BTG - Biomass Technology Group BV
Visit the AllThings.Bio infohub:
www.allthings.bio
BioCannDo has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 720732.
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The AllThings.Bio Slideshow
Bio-based cars
Clothing
Shoes
Compostable plastic bags
Plastic toys
Plant pots
Palm leaf plates
Washing up liquid
Carpets and flooring
Building insulation
Paint
Biofuels for transportation
Read more on AllThings.Bio
Credits
The AllThings.Bio Slideshow
Bio-based cars
Clothing
Shoes
Compostable plastic bags
Plastic toys
Plant pots
Palm leaf plates
Washing up liquid
Carpets and flooring
Building insulation
Paint
Biofuels for transportation
Read more on AllThings.Bio
Credits