Bioplastics are plastics that are either made from renewable raw materials or are biodegradable - or both. They offer a wide range of possible applications - but what exactly are bioplastics, how are they produced and what advantages or limitations do they have compared to traditional plastics?
Sarah Guaglianone
Updated on June 2, 2026
Bioplastics explained simply: Bioplastics, also known as bioplastics or technical biopolymers, are plastics that are either completely or partially made from renewable raw materials, i.e. biobased and/or biodegradable. In comparison, conventional plastic materials are based on fossil raw materials.
Bioplastics can primarily be divided into two main categories: Bio-based and biodegradable plastics. In the following section, we present some examples of bioplastics to give you an overview of the different types of bioplastics.
What does bio-based mean? Bio-based plastics are made from biological, renewable raw materials such as corn starch, sugar cane or cellulose. Bio-based bioplastics are not necessarily biodegradable.
Bioplastic properties, such as mouldability, hardness, elasticity, breaking strength, temperature resistance, heat resistance and chemical resistance, vary depending on the composition, manufacturing process and the addition of additives.
Biodegradable plastics are produced by natural processes (microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi), which can be broken down into natural substances such as water, carbon dioxide (CO2) and biomass. Bioplastics degrade under certain environmental conditions that are necessary for the activity of the microorganisms (more on this later).
Some bioplastics fulfil both criteria: The biopolymers are both biobased and biodegradable.
| Bioplastics category | Bio-based plastics | Biodegradable plastics | Bio-based and biodegradable plastics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bioplastics examples | Bio-PE, Bio-PET, PLA | PHA, PBS, PCL | Starch-based plastics, PLA, PHA |
| Raw materials | Renewable raw materials (e.g. sugar cane, plant starch) | Microorganisms, various raw materials | Plant starch, bacteria |
The properties of bio-based plastics and biodegradable plastics vary depending on the raw material used and the manufacturing processes. In principle, bioplastics can have the same properties as conventional polymers. Plastic films made from bioplastics are also produced by plastic extrusion, just like conventional thermoplastics.
The properties of bioplastics vary depending on the raw materials used and the manufacturing processes. In principle, bioplastics can have the same properties as conventional polymers. Plastic films made of bioplastics are also produced by plastic extrusion like conventional thermoplastics.
However, bioplastics are not suitable for high-performance applications. The use of bio-based materials is restricted by limited quantities, price and qualities, based on limited raw materials and higher manufacturing costs. Currently, bioplastics can be used primarily for these applications:
Packaging products made from compostable bioplastics, such as trays for vegetables, fruit, eggs and meat, containers for drinks and dairy products and cosmetics packaging.
For bioplastics in medicine and pharmaceuticals, the focus is on the resorbability of the products, such as suture materials or implants, which can be broken down by the body after use.
Bio-based materials are used in the automotive sector in a “sandwich construction”. The core of the component is made of bio-based polymer, with a layer of higher-quality conventional material applied on top (e.g. for visual appearance, feel and functionality).
Bioplastics have both advantages and limitations compared to conventional plastics, with the latter influencing their suitability for various applications. Here, we take a detailed look at the differences and challenges associated with bioplastics compared to conventional thermoplastics.
The use of biopolymers offers a number of advantages, including:
Crude oil is a finite resource. In contrast, renewable resources are inexhaustible. This is because bioplastics are made from raw materials such as maize, sugar cane or cellulose, which reduces our dependence on fossil fuels.
Starch from plants is used for the production of bioplastics. These plants extract CO2 from the atmosphere for their growth. When the bioplastic is incinerated, only the amount of CO2 previously absorbed by the plant is released. This creates a closed CO2 cycle.
Some bioplastics, such as PLA and PHA, are biodegradable/compostable and decompose under certain conditions (e.g. in industrial composting plants) into harmless substances such as CO2, water and biomass.
Despite the advantages mentioned, however, there are several disadvantages that must be taken into account when assessing their environmental friendliness and practicality. Here are the main challenges and disadvantages of bioplastics in detail.
The cultivation of raw materials for bioplastics requires agricultural land that could also be used for food production. This can lead to competition for agricultural resources.
Bioplastics = better environment - unfortunately this is not true in terms of energy and resource consumption. The production of bioplastics can be energy-intensive and require high water consumption, which can have a negative impact on their environmental footprint.
Many bio-based and biodegradable plastics require special conditions (e.g. industrial composting plants) for degradation, which are not always available everywhere or require energy.
The prices of bioplastics are often more expensive than conventional plastics, which can limit their widespread use.
Without specialised recycling processes tailored to the specific material stream, bioplastics cannot be recycled into new material, unlike conventional recycled plastic. Recycling bioplastics is therefore challenging, as biodegradable plastics often require a longer retention time in composting facilities.
Can bioplastics now also be used for plastic thermoforming and thus for trays, containers, inlays and covers? And how do bioplastics perform compared to conventional thermoplastics? More on this in the following sections.
Bioplastics have different properties compared to conventional plastics. Some bio-based plastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), are thermoplastic and can therefore theoretically be used for thermoforming.
However, due to their different structure, bioplastics have special requirements in terms of temperature and processing that may differ from those of conventional plastics. Adapting moulding tools to the specific properties of bioplastics can therefore incur additional costs.
The processing temperatures and times for bioplastics can vary. PLA, for example, has a lower processing temperature compared to many standard plastics such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).
Some bioplastics are hygroscopic, which means that they absorb moisture from the environment. This can lead to processing problems such as bubble formation or undesirable material changes.
Bioplastics often have different mechanical properties than traditional plastics. Some may be less impact resistant or less elastic, which influences the choice of applications. The strength and flexibility must be carefully tested to ensure that the end products meet the requirements.
The market share of bioplastics currently stands at around 1%. Consequently, there is still considerable untapped potential when it comes to the use of biopolymers in thermoforming. The advantages of bioplastics are a major factor in their wider adoption: biodegradability, lower CO₂ emissions and the conservation of resources. However, the use of bioplastics also has its limitations and drawbacks. Not only can bioplastic products not compete with standard thermoplastics when it comes to high-performance applications, but their production can also consume significant amounts of agricultural resources.
Biopolymers often require specific conditions for decomposition and do not break down completely in conventional composting facilities. Furthermore, there is currently a lack of efficient recycling processes, meaning that incineration remains the most common method of disposal. Another important factor is that bioplastics are often more expensive to produce than conventional plastics, which reduces their economic appeal. However, if the market share of bioplastics were to grow and exceed 1%, these aspects could change.
Bioplastics are plastics that consist entirely or partially of renewable raw materials and/or are biodegradable.