This section provides an overview for biomass plastics as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 11 biomass plastic manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked biomass plastic companies as of November, 2024: 1.Applied Bioplastics, 2.BioPlastic Solutions, LLC, 3.Biome Bioplastics Limited.
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1987~1991: Engaged in research on wire covering materials at Polymer Materials Laboratory.
1991~1997: Worked as a patent Engineer at Koike International Patent Office.
1997~2005 Worked as an intellectual property member at GE Yokogawa Medical System, currently working as a writer.
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A biomass plastic is a polymer material chemically or biologically synthesized from renewable biomass resources.
Although not necessarily biodegradable, they are known as environmentally friendly plastics due to their carbon neutrality. Since there are various raw materials, chemical structures, manufacturing methods, and functions, it is important to understand the characteristics of each material before using the appropriate one.
Biomass plastics are used in a variety of fields as environmental measures are strengthened.
Specific uses of are as follows:
Biomass plastic is a polymeric material chemically or biologically synthesized from renewable biomass resources. In other words, the raw material of biomass plastic is plant material that grows through photosynthesis using carbon dioxide.
Therefore, even if biomass plastics are incinerated and emit carbon dioxide, the total amount of carbon dioxide absorbed during growth and the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted during incineration is plus or minus zero, making them highly carbon neutral. Biomass plastics can be biodegradable or non-biodegradable.
Attempts are underway to make them biodegradable and return them to the soil to achieve a cycle in which plants are grown as raw materials. Thus, plant-derived raw materials for biomass plastics can be cultivated, and there is no concern about depletion compared to petroleum-derived raw materials.
There are three main types of biomass plastics. The most common of these are made from biomass resources, including inedible parts such as sugar cane and corn.
Biodegradable biomass plastics are plastics made from biomass resources and are biodegradable. Typical examples are polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). Of the many biodegradable plastics, polylactic acid (PLA) is the most commercialized. However, its limited popularity is due to its difficulty in molding, high price, and low strength.
Non-biodegradable biomass plastics are plastics whose raw materials are biomass resources but are not biodegradable. Typical examples are biopolyethylene and biopolyamide. They are not biodegradable, but they can achieve carbon neutrality. Although they are easier to handle than biodegradable plastics, their use is limited due to their higher price compared to general-purpose plastics.
Partially biomass feedstock plastics are plastics produced using biomass feedstock as part of the raw material. Examples include polypropylene terephthalate (PPT), which is made by fermenting propylene glycol, one of the raw materials. Copolymers of polylactic acid and cellulose acetate also belong to this category.
The difference between biomass plastics and biodegradable plastics is that biomass plastics are defined by their raw materials, while biodegradable plastics are defined by their function.
Biomass plastics, as we have mentioned, are polymeric materials chemically or biologically synthesized from renewable biomass resources as raw materials. Some biomass raw materials are biodegradable and some are not.
Biodegradable plastics, on the other hand, are plastics that are degraded by the action of microorganisms in the environment, and the raw materials are not necessarily of biological origin. For example, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) is made from petroleum, which is derived from fossil resources, and sugarcane, which is derived from biomass.
Note that biodegradable plastics are used in plastic shopping bags, product packaging, drainage nets, computer parts, sandbags, fishing line, and agricultural mulch sheets. These are collectively called "bioplastics."
Global efforts to address environmental issues, particularly global warming, began with the Kyoto Protocol enacted in 1997. Global warming is believed to be caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and an international framework was established to curb their emissions. The Kyoto Protocol was limited to developed countries, but the Paris Agreement of 2013 includes developing countries.
Against this backdrop, many countries are working to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, and one such effort is the conversion to biomass plastic. However, biomass plastics may cause the same problems as general-purpose plastics when they are disposed of, since few biomass plastics are made of 100% biomass materials. Besides, technological innovations as well as legislation are needed.
Like regular plastics, biomass plastics have a microplastic problem. Many of the biomass plastics in use today are only partially biodegradable, and the remaining plastic fragments are crushed by the external environment, but they are not decomposed.
The remaining plastic fragments are crushed by the external environment, but they do not decompose. The final result is microplastics ranging in size from several micrometers to several tens of micrometers, which accumulate in animal bodies and are thought to have adverse effects on ecosystems and the human body through the food chain process.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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KUREHA CORPORATION, established in 1944 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of functional materials, specialty chemicals and plastics. The company produces specialty chemicals such as pharmaceutical products, agrochemicals and industrial chemicals, specialty plastics used in commercial and household products such as packaging materials and fishing lines, and advanced materials such as carbon products and advanced plastics used that can be used as an alternative to metal and as a binder for lithium-ion batteries. The company has received several awards like Special Technology Prize by JCIA Technology Award in 2019 and The Ichimura Prize in 2020.
Corbion is a manufacturer of food and biochemicals that is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands and was established in 1919. The company offers solutions to food, biomedical, biochemical, and algae through its product lineup including chemical products, biochemical and biomedical products, pharma products, and bioplastic products. The company also offers innovation through its biotechnology landscape and circular lactic acid technology. The markets served by the company range from food, biomedical, biochemical, and algae ingredient markets.
Shimadzu Corporation, founded in 1875 and based in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier specializing in precision instruments, measuring instruments, and medical equipment. The company's products and solutions cater to various industries, including pharmaceuticals, environmental, and research institutions. For instance, Shimadzu produces analytical and measuring instruments like chromatographs and spectrometers, utilized for quality control as well as research and development in the environment, life science, and pharmaceutical fields. Furthermore, Shimadzu's medical products and systems aid in early disease detection and treatment, particularly for conditions like cancer. Additionally, Shimadzu supports manufacturing activities by providing vacuum equipment and industrial machinery.
AVATACK, established in 1995 in Taipei, Taiwan, is a manufacturer of advanced adhesive tapes for various uses. The company specializes in producing a broad range of adhesive tape varieties, including but not limited to masking tapes, double-sided tapes, packaging tapes, PVC, and specialty adhesive products. It has obtained ISO 9001 certification for stringent quality standards, offering benefits such as superior adhesion, durability, and stability. These adhesive tapes find applications across diverse industries, including automotive, construction, packaging, and general manufacturing.
Taisei Kako Co., Ltd. was established in 1932 and is based in Osaka Prefecture, Japan, as a manufacturer of plastic and aluminium packaging and medical devices. It specializes in manufacturing packages like jar packages, eye drop containers, aluminium tubes, spray bottles, and containers for solid and liquid products. It also manufactures medical devices such as plastic syringes, PTP sheets, and glass syringes. Its manufactured products are marketed across Japan for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. The company acquired several ISO certifications, including ISO 9001, ISO 15378, and ISO 14001. In 2023, it received the Good Design Award.
Chukoh Chemical Industries, Ltd., established in 1963 and headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, is a manufacturer of fluoroplastic and fluororesin products. Their product line includes PTFE adhesive tapes, tubes, belts, membrane materials, and silicone fabric. These products exhibit desirable properties such as heat resistance, low friction, chemical resistance, and superior insulation, and are used across industries including chemical, semiconductor, and land transportation. Chukoh Chemical Industries holds certifications for ISO 9001 and 14001, which are international standards for quality and environmental management.
Kaneka Corporation, founded in 1949 and headquartered in Minato-ku, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in material, quality of life, health care, and nutrition solutions. The company offers an extensive service portfolio including performance polymer solutions vehicles, foam and residential tech, performance fibers solutions, pharma and supplemental nutrition solutions, and foods and agris solutions among others. These offerings cater to various industries, serving as tougheners for thermosetting resins, providing transparent curable resins with heat and light resistance, offering photovoltaic power generation systems for public and industrial installations, and supplying affinity chromatography resin for monoclonal antibody purification, among other applications.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Applied Bioplastics |
31.2%
|
2 | BioPlastic Solutions, LLC |
18.2%
|
3 | Biome Bioplastics Limited |
9.1%
|
4 | KUREHA CORPORATION |
7.8%
|
5 | Shimazu Corporation |
6.5%
|
6 | Light My Fire |
5.2%
|
7 | Chukoh Chemical Industries,Ltd. |
5.2%
|
8 | KANEKA CORPORATION |
5.2%
|
9 | AVATACK |
3.9%
|
10 | Corbion |
3.9%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the biomass plastic page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
Japan | 4 | 40.0% |
United States of America | 2 | 20.0% |
Netherlands | 1 | 10.0% |
Taiwan | 1 | 10.0% |
Sweden | 1 | 10.0% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 10.0% |
33 products are listed.
VASU Japan
40+ people viewing
Last viewed: 6 hours ago
The VS Series is a bio -plastic material that is kind to the earth, considering the environment. A VS-90 series that can be biodegraded by microor...
Seadam Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
◼ Overview 1. A hard sheet containing a polypropylene sheet of a low -priority polypropylene sheet that is highly recycled and does not generate to...
Nissho Chemical Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
Biomass plastic film biopard (R). Biomass plastic film with Biomass plastic with PLA (poly lactic acid) added. (There is a biodegradable type) ■ F...
VASU Japan
30+ people viewing
The VS Series is a bio -plastic material that is kind to the earth, considering the environment. A VS-90 series that can be biodegraded by microor...
Seadam Co., Ltd.
20+ people viewing
◼ Features Can be composted under appropriate conditions Effect ・ CO2 reduction effect ・ High safety
Seadam Co., Ltd.
30+ people viewing
◼ Features The same physical properties and processing as normal TPU film
GS Alliance
50+ people viewing
■ New material using raw materials derived from natural biomass This is a new natural resin material that overcomes strength, heat resistance, mold...