Algal bioplastics: current market trends and technical aspects

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Plastic pollution poses a significant ecological threat, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Bioplastics derived from renewable resources are sought as sustainable alternatives.
• Synthetic plastic replacement with biobased alternatives can reduce CO2 emissions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the problem of plastic accumulation and its environmental impact.
• To explore microalgae as a superior source for bioplastic production.
• To propose solutions for scaling up the bioplastic industry and enhancing its market competitiveness.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on plastic pollution and bioplastics.
• Analysis of microalgae's advantages over other biomass sources for bioplastics.
• Evaluation of various bioplastic production technologies and optimization strategies.
• Market research on the current status and future scope of algal bioplastics.

Main Results:

• Microalgae demonstrate advantages in growth rate, non-competition with food sources, and wastewater remediation for bioplastic production.
• Algal bioplastics are not yet cost-competitive with petroleum-based plastics.
• The algal bioplastic market is experiencing growth, driven by its environmental benefits.

Conclusions:

• Adopting a multi-dimensional approach, such as algal biorefineries, is crucial for cost-competitiveness.
• Life cycle assessment is imperative to evaluate the environmental impact of bioplastics.
• Improving the inclusivity of bioplastics in a circular economy requires strategic measures.