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Abstract

It might be said that, in the beginning, bioplastics got off on the wrong foot and are still trying to make up for it. Back when bioplastics first started to make their appearance in the market, the emphasis was not on the merits and properties of these �new� materials, but on the end of life. The idea that bioplastics could serve as a panacea, solving problems ranging from the leaching of toxins into the environment to the plastic soup took hold in the minds of the public, an image that has proven exceedingly difficult to dispel. When talking about bioplastics, the first important thing is to make completely clear what they are, and � importantly � what they are not. Understanding this makes it possible to grasp the real reasons why bioplastics are now finally emerging as real players in the industry. We are only at the start of their development, but as new technologies and new materials emerge, it is clear that the potential is massive. To build a future where people, nature, and the economy can all thrive, it is vital to change the way we interact with our resources. Sourcing materials responsibly to protect the ecosystems that we rely on to survive is critical. Bioplastics can play a crucial role as one of the building blocks of a sustainable, circular economy. Bioplastics can also offer a solid business opportunity in unlocking Europe�s potential for a resource efficient economy - in which resource use is decoupled from growth. In this environment, bioplastics will be able to unfold their full economic and environmental potential, in Europe and elsewhere.

Biography

Email: karen@plasticsinnovations.com