Total Corbion Request a sample About Bioplastics Taking a closer look at bioplastics Home About PLA What are bioplastics What are bioplastics Share this page The European Bioplastics Association defines bioplastics as being biobased, biodegradable or both. And PLA bioplastics are the only commercially available bioplastics that are both biobased and biodegradable! What are biobased plastics? These plastics are made from biobased, renewable materials like corn, sugarcane and cassava. These feedstocks are often referred to as biomass. Biobased plastics can be used for almost any application, from molded parts and fibers, to foam & film. Plastics in this category include PLA, Bio PET, Bio PA and Bio PE. They enable products that have a reduced carbon footprint and a high biobased content. What are biodegradable/compostable plastics? Biodegradable plastics are those which biodegrade in natural environments leaving behind biomass, CO2 and water. They are sometimes made from traditional fossil fuels (such as PBAT) though can also be made from biomass (such as PLA). PLA meets the widely recognized European compostability standard EN13432. NOTE: Oxo degradable plastics are made from traditional fossil fuels and include an additive that makes the plastic degrade under UV sunlight. They fragment into micro-plastic pieces and conclusive evidence has yet to be presented that these fragments fully biodegrade. Not surprisingly, many believe these oxo plastics are worse for the environment than traditional plastics. So oxo degradable plastics should not be confused with bioplastics. Recently, three manufacturers of oxo degradable plastics took exception to a proposed multi-client study by OWS to investigate whether or not oxo degradable plastics are indeed biodegradable. (See http://www.plasticstoday.com/articles/three-manufacturers-of-oxo-degradable-plastics-take-exception-to-projected-OWS-study-140922) Products Markets Lifecycle Downloads Total Corbion Learn more About Us Downloads Events News Headquarters: Arkelsedijk 46 4206 AC Gorinchem The Netherlands Post address: PO Box 21 4200 AA Gorinchem, The Netherlands Contact us pla@total-corbion.com T +31 183 695 695 Follow us Twitter LinkedIn Privacy | Disclaimer | Cookiepolicy ✖ Total Corbion PLA uses cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue we assume that you consent to receive all cookies on all Total Corbion PLA websites. Learn more