Bioplastics: between hype and hope

In times of climate crisis, plastic bans and growing environmental awareness, bioplastics are seen as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. But what is the truth of the promise? Are they really better for the environment - or just a green coating for a complex problem?

Bioplastics are not automatically biodegradable - and biodegradable plastics are not necessarily biobased. This is the first major misconception. There are bio-based plastics such as PLA or bio-PE, which are based on renewable raw materials such as corn or sugar cane, but do not decompose. And there are degradable plastics that still come from fossil raw materials. The term is therefore vague - which often confuses consumers.

Nevertheless, bioplastics have great potential: they reduce dependence on crude oil, can be produced in a CO₂-neutral way and open up new possibilities for compostable packaging, disposable medical products or agricultural films that disintegrate after use. New materials based on algae, cellulose or fungal mycelium are particularly exciting - they grow back quickly and can be cultivated regionally.

But bioplastics are not a panacea. Their production often competes with food production, and industrial composting only works under very specific conditions. In addition, the recycling infrastructure is usually not designed for them, which can lead to disposal problems.

The solution therefore lies not only in the material, but in the system: design for recycling, circular economy, clear labeling and education are crucial to using bioplastics sensibly. However, for many applications - particularly in the area of short-lived consumer goods or special packaging - they are a valuable building block.

Conclusion: Bioplastics are neither hype nor a savior - but an exciting part of the solution. If you use them wisely, you can combine innovation and sustainability.