Bio-based polymers have potential in agricultural markets

Lux Research analysts assessed four bio-based polymers, evaluating their performance parameters against polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) incumbent polymers. Analysts found that innovation in PLA synthesis can improve the polymer's mechanical properties, enabling application in agriculture, such as mulching films. This innovation can also make PLA suitable for food packaging of products that do not require oxygen barriers. Lux Research also found that although pure PHA suffers from poor structural strength, its biodegradability and low- to non-existent toxicity make it suitable for applications within the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Such applications include sutures, bone plates, grafts and implants. Lastly, analysts found that although PBS has properties comparable to PE but costs twice as much, it is still particularly suitable for the medical industry because it presents better processability and toxicity than PLA, and exhibits mechanical properties comparable to PE.

“Most bio-based polymers, especially polybutylene succinate (PBS), polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalanoate (PHA), exhibit biodegradability, something most petroleum-based polymers lack. For biomedical applications and in agriculture, this biodegradability and their low toxicity are valuable,” said Meraldo Antonio, Associate, Lux Research.