ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY - BIOPLASTIC

1. BIO-DERIVED POLYETHYLENE
DR. ANU P. ABHIMANNUE
DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
ST MARY’S COLLEGE, THRISSUR.

2. Polyethylene
Polyethylene, which is one of the most common plastics, is a polymer of long chains of the
monomer ethylene.
There are several different types of Polyethylene (PE) but most common types include
 LDPE – Low density Polyethylene
 HDPE – High density Polyethylene
Polyethylene is not biodegradable, leading to environmental issues associated with its use
DR. ANU P. ABHIMANNUE, ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, THRISSUR. 2

3. Bio-derived polyethylene
The basic monomer of the polymer polyethylene is ethylene.
Biopolyethylene (also known as renewable polyethylene) is polyethylene made
out of ethanol, which becomes ethylene after a dehydration process - - hence
the expression bio-derived polyethylene.
It can be made from various feed stocks including sugar cane, sugar beet, and
wheat grain.
DR. ANU P. ABHIMANNUE, ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, THRISSUR. 3

4. Production
Low density polyethylene is produced by a process of addition polymerisation.
Bio-derived polyethylene is produced using the same process, the only difference being that,
rather than use ethane derived from crude oil distillation it uses ethanol which has been
produced by fermenting a biomass material such as corn starch or cane sugar.
The ethanol is converted to ethylene which is then polymerised by addition polymerisation into
bio-derived polyethylene.
STEPS : Biomass - Fermented and distilled to ethanol - · Dehydrated to ethylene - Polymerisation
DR. ANU P. ABHIMANNUE, ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, THRISSUR. 4

5. Advantages
Eco-friendly - One of the main environmental benefits of Green PE is the sequestration of roughly 2.15 tons
of CO2 per ton of Green Polyethylene produced.
Recyclable - Renewable polyethylene is non-biodegradable but can be recycled in the same waste streams
as traditional polyethylene.
Made from plant-based materials - It’s made from 100% renewable resources such as sugar cane, corn,
rice, potatoes, wheat and vegetable oil.
It’s a safe and effective alternative to traditional PE packaging
DR. ANU P. ABHIMANNUE, ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, THRISSUR. 5

6. Dis-advantages
Producing feedstock for bio-based plastics relies upon intensive agriculture, potentially
contributing to deforestation in order to clear land for agricultural use.
Large-scale production of feedstock also requires inputs such as fossil fuels, fertilizers, and
pesticides.
DR. ANU P. ABHIMANNUE, ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, THRISSUR. 6

7. Applications
Carry bags
Films
Bottles
DR. ANU P. ABHIMANNUE, ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, THRISSUR. 7

8. References
https://ccea.org.uk/downloads/docs/Support/Fact%20File%3A%20AS/2019/Bioderived%20Poly
ethylene.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_Polyethylene
https://www.stanpacnet.com/5-facts-bio-based-polyethylene-packaging/
http://www.bioplastics.guide/ref/bioplastics/non-biodegradable-bioplastics/
DR. ANU P. ABHIMANNUE, ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, THRISSUR. 8