Sustainability assessments of bio-based polymers

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 98; no. 9; pp. 1898 - 1907
• Main Authors: Hottle, Troy A., Bilec, Melissa M., Landis, Amy E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biopolymer; environmental impact; Environmental impacts; Exact sciences and technology; fossils; General. Economics. Legislation. Standardization; global warming; industry; life cycle assessment; Life cycle assessment (LCA); petroleum; Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA); polyhydroxyalkanoates; polylactic acid; Polylactic acid (PLA); Polymer industry, paints, wood; raw materials; starch; Technology of polymers; Thermoplastic starch (TPS); thermoplastics; uncertainty; Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA); Thermoplastic starch (TPS); Environmental impacts; Life cycle assessment (LCA); Polylactic acid (PLA); Biopolymer; Data analysis; State of the art; Life cycle (environment); Starch; Ester polymer; Alkanoate(hydroxy) polymer; Lactic acid polymer; Aliphatic polymer; Database; Oside polymer; Peer review

Bio-based polymers have become feasible alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics. However, the factors that influence the sustainability of bio-based polymers are often unclear. This paper reviews published life cycle assessments (LCAs) and commonly used LCA databases that quantify the e...