Are bioplastics applied in mainly short-lived products?

Bioplastics have a multitude of durable but also short-lived applications. Durable, biobased commodity plastics such as biobased PE or biobased PET are used for short-life applications such as packaging as well as for long-lasting applications such as car parts, toys, or consumer electronics that can be easily recycled in existing streams. These so called ‘drop-in solutions’ represent the largest sector of global bioplastics production.

Innovative biobased and biodegradable materials such as PLA, PHA or starch blends are suitable for long-lasting products but are mainly used in short-lived applications such as packaging. They offer solutions with completely new functionalities such as compostability and in some cases optimised barrier properties for a prolonged shelf life and thus preventing food waste.