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What does bioplastic mean?
Biotechnology is evolving at a rapid pace right now. There has been a clear shift in the attitudes of both policy-makers and consumers towards more conscious consumption. Bioplastic is a new general term that still raises many questions.
What does the term bioplastic mean? What is the difference between bio-based and biodegradable plastic? Can bioplastics be made from fossil-based raw materials? In this blog article, we take a closer look at these frequently asked questions about bioplastics.
What does the term bioplastic mean? What is the difference between bio-based and biodegradable plastic? Can bioplastics be made from fossil-based raw materials? In this blog article, we take a closer look at these frequently asked questions about bioplastics.
Many names for bioplastic
Bioplastics is a common term for plastics that are bio-based, biodegradable, or both.
The term bioplastic is a bit tricky, as it doesn’t tell you everything essential. Bioplastics are divided into bio-based and fossil-based plastics according to their raw material base, and into biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastics according to their degradation (see Figure 1). Bioplastics means plastics that are bio-based, biodegradable, or both. Bioplastics thus include all but the fossil-based and non-biodegradable plastics in the lower-left corner.
Bio-based plastic
The ‘bio’ prefix does not automatically mean that the plastic is biodegradable
Bio-based plastic is made in whole or in part from plants or other biologically produced raw materials. Examples of raw materials are corn, sugar cane, or cellulose. The ‘bio’ prefix does not automatically mean that the plastic is biodegradable or does not contain fossil-based materials. This misunderstanding causes confusion, especially with recycling.
Biodegradable plastic
Standardising and testing biodegradability under natural conditions is challenging
Biodegradability does not define the origin of the material, which can therefore be either fossil- or bio-based. Biodegradability is time and condition dependent. Virtually all plastics decompose if the amount of time is thousands of years. A material that decomposes well in soil may not decompose in water at all.
Standardising and testing biodegradability under natural conditions is challenging because conditions vary significantly, not only between different seasons but also between countries. For this reason, there are numerous standards that provide guidelines for defining biodegradability.
From fossil-based plastics to bioplastics
Materials are constantly evolving in a more ecological direction, and Treston is continuously monitoring new raw materials entering the market. In May 2022, we launched the first-in-industry bio-based shelf bin for industrial use: Treston BiOX.
The carbon-neutral material for Treston BiOX bins is over 90% wood-based renewable material, residue from the pulp production process, and cellulose fibres from sustainably managed forests. The quality, as well as the look and feel, remains the same as with traditional plastic bins.
Treston BiOX is not biodegradable, but it is 100% recycling ready, which means that it can be reused in the future as recycling technology evolves to accept bioplastics.
Our long-term goal is to provide an environmentally friendly carbon-neutral alternative to all fossil-based plastic products and components.
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What does bioplastic mean?
Biotechnology is evolving at a rapid pace right now. There has been a clear shift in the attitudes of both policy-makers and consumers towards more conscious consumption. Bioplastic is a new general term that still raises many questions.
What does the term bioplastic mean? What is the difference between bio-based and biodegradable plastic? Can bioplastics be made from fossil-based raw materials? In this blog article, we take a closer look at these frequently asked questions about bioplastics.
What does the term bioplastic mean? What is the difference between bio-based and biodegradable plastic? Can bioplastics be made from fossil-based raw materials? In this blog article, we take a closer look at these frequently asked questions about bioplastics.
Actions for the environment #1: Ecological Pre-treatment Method
Think further - act greener. We want to play our part in a cleaner environment and making sustainable choices. In the ‘Actions for the environment’ series, we want to highlight the concrete actions we are taking for the environment.
This article introduces the transition of a pre-treatment line to a completely phosphate-free alternative. Phosphates cause eutrophication when ingested. Advanced eutrophication clouds the water and thereby, for example, species typical of the water body are disappearing. Phosphorus (P) is a limited and irreplaceable natural resource.
This article introduces the transition of a pre-treatment line to a completely phosphate-free alternative. Phosphates cause eutrophication when ingested. Advanced eutrophication clouds the water and thereby, for example, species typical of the water body are disappearing. Phosphorus (P) is a limited and irreplaceable natural resource.
‘The Apprentice’ accelerated the story of Treston BiOX
In the spring of 2021, Treston's product group manager, Kari Nokka, sat on his own sofa without a clue that in the next hour he would get an idea that would revolutionise Treston's plastic production. ‘The Apprentice’ was his programme of choice.
On that evening’s episode, competitors were given the task of creating a promotional video for MySoda’s new sparkling water makers. These products were made from environmentally friendly raw materials. Kari began to consider the option of using the concept for Treston’s own products. And just like that, the journey towards a carbon-neutral workstation had begun.
On that evening’s episode, competitors were given the task of creating a promotional video for MySoda’s new sparkling water makers. These products were made from environmentally friendly raw materials. Kari began to consider the option of using the concept for Treston’s own products. And just like that, the journey towards a carbon-neutral workstation had begun.
See what our customers say
Thanks to adaptable solutions the throughput time at goods receipt reduced from three weeks to two days.
Thomas Janker, Head of Purchasing, Sport Conrad
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With the workshop workbenches, the work ergonomics of the employees has clearly improved
Tapio Roiha, CEO, Cycli
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The configurator is very user-friendly, allowing us to quickly design workstations that meet our requirements.
Tristan Bonnier, Production Manager at Deltacab
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With Treston’s solutions, we now have the ability to swiftly convert benches from one task to another
Catarina Nascimento, Special Projects Manager
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“The new furniture has significantly improved ergonomics, occupational health and job satisfaction.”
Hannu Pesonen, Development Manager, Jotwire
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The work tables and add-on modules impress with their durability and reliability even under heavy load.
Johann Eberlein, Managing Director of Eberlein & Kunz
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The collaboration with Treston was seamless, relaxed, and professional as we developed the cobot cart together
Juha Mainio, ABB Robotics
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