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Bio-based material

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A bio-based material is a material intentionally made, either wholly or partially, from substances derived from living (or once-living) organisms,[1] such as plants, animals, enzymes, and microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and yeast.[2][3]

Due to their main characteristics of being renewable and to their ability to store carbon over their growth, recent years assisted to their upsurge as a valid alternative compared to more traditional materials in view of climate mitigation.[4]

In European context, more specifically, European Union, which has set 2050 as a target date to reach climate neutrality,[5] is trying to implement, among other measures, the production and utilization of bio-based materials in many diverse sectors. Indeed, several European regulations, such as the European Industrial Strategy,[6] the EU Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative [7] and the Circular Action Plan,[8] emphasize bio-materials. These regulations aim to support innovation, investment, and market adoption of bio-materials while enhancing the transition towards a circular economy where resources are used more efficiently.[9] In this regard, the application of bio-based materials has been already tested on several market segments, ranging from the production of chemicals, to packaging and textiles, till the fabrication of full construction components.[9]

Bio-based materials can differ depending on the origin of the biomass they're mostly constituted.[10] Moreover, they can be differently manufactured,[4] resulting in either simple or more complex engineered bio-products, which can be used for many applications.[11] Among processed materials, it is possible to distinguish between bio-based polymers, bio-based plastics, bio-based chemical fibres, bio-based leather,[12] bio-based rubber, bio-based coatings, bio-based material additives, bio-based composites.[11] Unprocessed materials, instead, may be called biotic material.

Bio-based, organic, and bio-degradable materials

Bio-based materials vs. biodegradable materials

Bio-based materials are often biodegradable, but this is not always the case.

By definition, biodegradable materials are formed or organic compounds which can thus be broken down by living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, or water molds, and reabsorbed by the natural environment.[13]

Whether a material is biodegradable is determined by its chemical structure, not the origin of the material from which it is made.[14] Indeed, the sustainability benefits of drop-in biobased plastics occur at the beginning of the material life cycle, but still, when manufactured, their structure is identical to their fossil-based counterparts. Therefore, these plastics, known as ‘drop-ins’, are not biodegradable, and should be recycled in existing recycling systems.[14]

In this regard, biodegradability does not support circularity unless biodegradable materials are recovered and processed by a system that can either recapture or upgrade their value. Ensuring a proper infrastructure for these materials to remain in the material management system, for instance through industrial composting or anaerobic digestion, is thus considered to be essential.[14]

Bio-based materials vs. organic materials

Similarly, bio-based materials are not necessarily organic, as the term "bio-based" simply indicates the material origin.[15] The term "organic" instead refers to the cultivation of plants or the keeping of the animals in compliance with the requirements of the European organic farming standard. Consequently, a bio-product can be both "bio-based" and "organic," but it is not necessarily so.[15]

Bio-based materials vs. fossil-based materials

It is not given that bio-based materials always perform better than fossil-based materials.[15][16]

Their environmental performance depends on a series of factors, related to the sourced material and to the amount and typology of manufacturing processes the raw natural material need to undergo to become a bio-product.[16]

One of the main factors influencing the sustainability of bio-materials is land consumption, land competition for food production and soil depletion.[16] In this regard, in the European context many studies have been conducted to analyze the actual availability of land for the production of bio-materials,[17][18] while bio-residues and wastes coming from either the agro-industrial and forestry sectors are gaining interest.[19][20][21]

Moreover, manufacturing processes needed for the production of competitive bio-alternatives to fossil-based products might lead to higher energy consumptions or to "linear", non-circular, products. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain a critical mindset based on Life Cycle Assessment analysis,[22] as some bio-products could require either extra material or processing to ensure the same quality, resulting necessarily in more energy consumption.[16]

Bio-based, organic, and bio-degradable leather alternatives

Bio-based materials are increasingly used as sustainable alternatives to synthetic polymers and animal-derived products. Among them, bio-based leather alternatives have gained attention for their ability to replace traditional leather while reducing environmental impact. These materials utilize renewable plant-based resources, making them an emerging part of the circular economy.[23]

Hemp-Based Leather

Hemp-derived bio-based leather is made from fibers of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa), which are processed into durable, flexible sheets. One patented example is LOVR™, developed by the German biomaterials company revoltech GmbH. Unlike synthetic leather, which relies on PU or PVC coatings, LOVR™ is plastic-free, biodegradable, and recyclable, using agricultural hemp residues as its primary raw material.[24][25] Hemp-based leathers offer high durability and environmental benefits, as hemp cultivation requires low water use, no pesticides, and regenerates soil. Industries such as automotive, fashion, and interior design are already integrating hemp-based materials, with Volkswagen developing hemp leather interiors using LOVR™.[26]

Algae-Based Leather

Algae-based leather is a next-generation biomaterial that utilizes marine and freshwater algae to create biopolymer sheets. Unlike fibrous plant leathers (such as hemp or pineapple), algae leather forms a gel-like matrix that solidifies into a flexible, durable material. MATTR™, developed by revoltech, is one of the first algae-based leathers designed for fashion, accessories, and upholstery applications. MATTR™ is produced using a patented process that maintains flexibility and softness without synthetic coatings, making it fully biodegradable. Algae-based leathers require minimal land and water while absorbing CO₂, making them a potential carbon-negative material. [27]

See also

References

  1. ^ Development, Office of Research &. "BIOBASED MATERIALS". cfpub.epa.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  2. ^ Bourbia, S.; Kazeoui, H.; Belarbi, R. (August 2023). "A review on recent research on bio-based building materials and their applications". Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy. 12 (2): 117–139. doi:10.1007/s40243-023-00234-7. ISSN 2194-1459.
  3. ^ Sherwood, James; Clark, James; Farmer, Thomas; Herrero-Davila, Lorenzo; Moity, Laurianne (2016-12-29). "Recirculation: A New Concept to Drive Innovation in Sustainable Product Design for Bio-Based Products". Molecules. 22 (1): 48. doi:10.3390/molecules22010048. ISSN 1420-3049. PMC 6155919. PMID 28036077.
  4. ^ a b "The Circular Economy of Carbon: The Role of Bio-Based Materials". Human Spaces. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  5. ^ "Climate change mitigation: reducing emissions". www.eea.europa.eu. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  6. ^ "European industrial strategy - European Commission". commission.europa.eu. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  7. ^ "Press corner". European Commission - European Commission. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  8. ^ "Circular economy action plan - European Commission". environment.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  9. ^ a b "Commission takes action to boost biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the EU". ec.europa.eu. 2024-03-20.
  10. ^ Castellano, Giorgio; Paoletti, Ingrid Maria; Malighetti, Laura Elisabetta; Carcassi, Olga Beatrice; Pradella, Federica; Pittau, Francesco (2023), Amziane, Sofiane; Merta, Ildiko; Page, Jonathan (eds.), "Bio-based Solutions for the Retrofit of the Existing Building Stock: A Systematic Review", Bio-Based Building Materials, vol. 45, Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, pp. 399–419, doi:10.1007/978-3-031-33465-8_31, ISBN 978-3-031-33464-1, retrieved 2024-07-12
  11. ^ a b "What Are The Categories Of Bio-Based Materials? What Is The Relevance To Carbon Emissions?". 2022-03-11.
  12. ^ Kefale, Girmaw Yeshanbel; Kebede, Zerihun Teshome; Birlie, Alehegn Atalay (2023). "A Systematic Review on Potential Bio Leather Substitute for Natural Leather". Journal of Engineering. 2023: 1–11. doi:10.1155/2023/1629174.
  13. ^ "Biodegradability | Definition, Process, Examples, Plastics, Composting, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  14. ^ a b c "Biobased vs. Biodegradable | Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance". bioplasticfeedstockalliance.org. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  15. ^ a b c "Fact-or-Myth: Bio-based, organic, biodegradable. What are these terms all about?". cordis.europa.eu.
  16. ^ a b c d "Does 'biobased' always mean 'more sustainable'?". Ecochain. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  17. ^ Göswein, Verena; Reichmann, Jana; Habert, Guillaume; Pittau, Francesco (2021-07-01). "Land availability in Europe for a radical shift toward bio-based construction". Sustainable Cities and Society. 70: 102929. Bibcode:2021SusCS..7002929G. doi:10.1016/j.scs.2021.102929. hdl:11311/1170056. ISSN 2210-6707.
  18. ^ Churkina, Galina; Organschi, Alan; Reyer, Christopher P. O.; Ruff, Andrew; Vinke, Kira; Liu, Zhu; Reck, Barbara K.; Graedel, T. E.; Schellnhuber, Hans Joachim (2020-01-27). "Buildings as a global carbon sink". Nature Sustainability. 3 (4): 269–276. Bibcode:2020NatSu...3..269C. doi:10.1038/s41893-019-0462-4. ISSN 2398-9629.
  19. ^ Choi, Ji Yong; Nam, Jihee; Yun, Beom Yeol; Kim, Young Uk; Kim, Sumin (September 2022). "Utilization of corn cob, an essential agricultural residue difficult to disposal: Composite board manufactured improved thermal performance using microencapsulated PCM". Industrial Crops and Products. 183: 114931. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114931.
  20. ^ Andrade, Maria Carolina; Gorgulho Silva, Caio de Oliveira; de Souza Moreira, Leonora Rios; Ferreira Filho, Edivaldo Ximenes (2022-04-01). "Crop residues: applications of lignocellulosic biomass in the context of a biorefinery". Frontiers in Energy. 16 (2): 224–245. doi:10.1007/s11708-021-0730-7. ISSN 2095-1698.
  21. ^ Mbabali, Herman; Lubwama, Michael; Yiga, Vianney Andrew; Were, Evans; Kasedde, Hillary (2024-04-01). "Development of Rice Husk and Sawdust Mycelium-Based Bio-composites: Optimization of Mechanical, Physical and Thermal Properties". Journal of the Institution of Engineers (India): Series D. 105 (1): 97–117. doi:10.1007/s40033-023-00458-x. ISSN 2250-2130.
  22. ^ Sevigné-Itoiz, Eva; Mwabonje, Onesmus; Panoutsou, Calliope; Woods, Jeremy (2021-09-20). "Life cycle assessment (LCA): informing the development of a sustainable circular bioeconomy?". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. 379 (2206). Bibcode:2021RSPTA.37900352S. doi:10.1098/rsta.2020.0352. ISSN 1364-503X. PMC 8326828. PMID 34334023.
  23. ^ "The Ecosystem: leather is so over, but what comes next? | Science|Business". sciencebusiness.net. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  24. ^ "Imitation leather from industrial hemp: innovative and sustainable material for future car interiors". Volkswagen Newsroom. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  25. ^ "LOVR™". MaterialDistrict. 2022-07-25. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  26. ^ "Handelsblatt". www.handelsblatt.com. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
  27. ^ fil (2024-11-18). "Revoltech stellt neues nachhaltiges Material MATTR vor" (in German). Retrieved 2025-01-21.
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