What are biobased materials?
To put it briefly, biobased material is material that is (partly) made by living organisms. Bio-based material is also referred to as biomaterial. Examples of bio-based materials are wood, cardboard, paper and bioplastics such as PLA and Materi-bi. The raw materials used for biomaterial include sugar, starch, proteins, wood fibres and natural fibres, natural oils and natural fats, bio-waste and natural rubber.
Bio-based materials explained
Mater Bi
Mater Bi is an organic plastic and a brand name of an Italian company and 100% compostable. It is a strong film with many properties of normal plastic, but bio-based. The film is made from vegetable raw materials: others from cornstarch and cellulose. Mater Bi is mainly used for the production of shirt-bags is certified and complies with the European composting standard EN-13432.
PLA
PLA or Poly Lactid Acid is a bioplastic made from Starch, Beets and Corn. Lactic acid is extracted from these plants and then converted into a granulate from which you make this bioplastic. It is 100% industrial compostable and made from 100% vegetable raw materials. No fossil fuels are used in this process. The foil is transparent and is still widely used for fresh (organic) products such as strawberries, bananas and peppers. More and more material is now being discovered by other industries as well. Our film is certified and complies with the European composting standard EN-13432.
CPLA
Stands for Crystalised Polylactic Acid. It is essentially the same as PLA, as described above, with the sole difference being that it is mixed with lime or talc. This creates a heat-resistant material with a white colour. Like PLA, CPLA is made from corn, for example. Or rather, the starch from corn with the addition of lime. CPLA is a very strong material that is water-resistant, food-safe and industrially compostable.
PBat
Another type of bioplastic is PBat. PBat stands for Poly Butylene Adipate Terephthalate and is a type of plastic that is completely biodegradable within 90 days. It is easy to combine with PLA, with other words a PBat on the outside and laminated with PLA on the inside or vice versa. Where PLA is only industrially compostable, PBat "home" is compostable. So it does not need an industrial machine to degrade. A disadvantage is that it is less clear, a little foggy milk white plastic.
Palm leaves
All items we sell made of palm leaves are heat and water resistant. In addition, it is 100% biodegradable, 100% compostable, of course, and no fossil fuels are used in the production of the articles. Palm leaves are pressed into plates, bowls, mugs etc. and is therefore 100% bio-based.
Kraft paper FSC
Forest Stewardship Councel, FSC, is an international label for paper supported by almost all European governments, companies and environmental organisations around the world. Only products made of wood from FSC-certified forests receive this label. Kraft paper is made from wood chips which are mainly obtained from coniferous wood. Brown kraft paper comes out of this naturally. And if you want to buy products made of white kraft paper, the paper is bleached beforehand. This can be bleached by chlorine, ECF or TCF. TCF is free of chlorine and is therefore a slightly better choice from an environmental point of view, although the difference between ECF and TCF will not be so great.
Sugar cane or Bagasse
Sugarcane, derived from the stems of the sugarcane plant, is a completely natural and renewable material. After the sugarcane harvest, bagasse remains, a fibre-rich waste stream that is normally discarded. This by-product can be processed into biodegradable and compostable materials, making it an excellent alternative to plastic and other non-sustainable products. Sugarcane is sturdy, lightweight and versatile for packaging and utensils. By using Sugarcane, you combine functionality with environmental awareness, reduce waste and contribute to a circular economy and a more sustainable world.
Cellophane
Cellophane is also a bioplastic and is made from cellulose. The cellulose is usually extracted from wood, as is the case with certain types of paper. The material is thin, clear/transparent and biodegrades when it comes into contact with water. If the cellophane contains some plastic, it can be sealed well. Without plastic, it cannot be sealed well.
Bio-PE
Bio-PE is made on the basis of renewable raw materials, such as sugar cane, and is therefore an excellent Super Bio-based material. Bio-PE is used for, among other things, the production of plastic carrier bags and packaging for cleaning products.
Bioplastic
Bioplastic is a general term for all kinds of plastic made from biological material or which are biodegradable. What we mean with Biological material are for example plants such as cane sugar, corn and potatoes.
Betelnut
Betelnut is the seed of the Areca palm and a completely natural material. It grows quickly and can be harvested sustainably without harming the environment. Unlike plastic or other non-biodegradable materials, Betelnut is biodegradable and compostable, making it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious applications. The material is sturdy, lightweight and flexible, making it suitable for a wide range of products, from packaging to utensils. Betelnut offers a natural alternative that combines functionality with sustainability and contributes to a circular economy and a cleaner planet.
PVA (soluble bioplastic)
PVA is the abbreviation for polyvinyl alcohol and is a bioplastic that dissolves in water. The soluble film is odourless and non-toxic. The film has high tensile strength, is flexible and is highly impermeable to oxygen and aromas. However, at higher humidity levels, the fibre absorbs more water, which reduces its tensile strength and ultimately causes it to dissolve in water. (source: Wikipedia).