Are bio-based plastics really sustainable? 26th Asia Plastics Forum September 15, 2016 Are bio-based plastics really sustainable?

Bio-based Plastics are Here Soybeans Sugar cane Corn Potatoes Mushrooms View with animation Slide 1: A lot of innovation. Bioplastic feedstocks now include sugar cane, corn, nuts, mushrooms, potatoes, algea and even air. Slide 2: Some of the world’s largest resin makers are making or researching bio-based plastics (Braskem, ExxonMobil, BASF, Dupont, Dow, Covestro, … )   Some of the world’s largest brands are using and marketing bio-based materials (Coke “Plant Bottle” uses up to 30% plant based PET; Ford Focus uses plant based PET, PE and PU). Cashew Nuts

Bio-based Plastics are Here Soybeans Some of the largest resin makers are researching or making bio-based plastics Sugar cane Corn Potatoes Mushrooms View with animation Slide 1: A lot of innovation. Bioplastic feedstocks now include sugar cane, corn, nuts, mushrooms, potatoes, algea and even air. Slide 2: Some of the world’s largest resin makers are making or researching bio-based plastics (Braskem, ExxonMobil, BASF, Dupont, Dow, Covestro, … )   Some of the world’s largest brands are using and marketing bio-based materials (Coke “Plant Bottle” uses up to 30% plant based PET; Ford Focus uses plant based PET, PE and PU). Some of the largest brands are using & marketing bio-based materials Cashew Nuts

Traditionally most plastic made naptha, oil or natural gas. Here’s a typical ethylene supply chain. Fossil fuel > ethylene > polyethylene > packaging, car parts, consumer goods

But ethylene can be made from ETHANE sourced from fossil fuels, or from bio-based sources.

There is NO difference in polyethylene made from plant v There is NO difference in polyethylene made from plant v. fossil fuel feedstock The key is: there is no chemical difference in polyethylene made from plant of fossil feedstocks.

Bio-pastics and Sustainability Plastics are already among the most sustainable materials on the planet Environmental impacts of alternative materials in consumer goods & packaging ~4x greater In some cases, bio-based plastics may have even more favorable enviornmental profiles

What is ‘Sustainable’? Made from an infinitely renewable feedstock A strong GHG profile (e.g., bio-based feedstock can “sequester” carbon) Most people think of 3 things when they judge sustainability: Made from something renewable Impacts on GHG emissions, and Is it recyclable. Recyclability (e.g., bio-based PE and PET can be recycled along with fossil-fuel based plastic)

Water Land Use Social Impacts Fertilizer & Pesticide Use Energy (particularly in drier climates) Land Use Social Impacts (Labor) Made from infinitely renewable feedstock is good Fertilizer & Pesticide Use Energy (used to harvest, transport & process bio matter) However for bioplastics there are at least 5 other considerations: How much water is used to grow the bio-based feedstock (particularly in dry climates)? How much land is required (does feedstock compete with food or energy), causing food prices to rise? Does feedstock require large amounts of fertilizer and pesticides (and can the be used safely)? Do we account for energy used to harvest, process and transport the feedstock? Social impacts (eg., labor)

Can it be economically produced? Bio-based Fossil-based And many consider economic sustainability … can bio-based plastics COMPETE with traditional feedstock.

Can it be economically produced? 2015 PRODUCTION COSTS Estimated * ($/lb.) GLOBAL SUPPLY (billion lbs.) HIGH LOW MIDDLE EAST UNITED STATES IN 2015 CHINA WESTERN EUROPE OTHER NORTHEAST ASIA RELATIVE POSITION OF UNITED STATES IN 2005 A: It depends. In the US it is getting harder. EX: in 10 years US plastic producers went from among the highest priced feedstock producers to among the lowest (due to abundance of shale gas). As a result many bio-based plastics are having a harder time competing.

Bio-based ≠ Biodegradable

Communication / Marketing Claims Consumers who confuse “bio-based” with biodegradable more likely to litter Growth in “Green marketing” and other consumer protection laws spreading (e.g., specify bio-based content, recyclability, etc.) Some brands specify mix of traditional and bio-based resin Seventh Generation HDPE & bio-HDPE detergent Coke PET “plant bottle”

Marketplace Challenges Bio-based plastic often proposed to solve marine debris A major retailer suggested making all food packaging out of PLA to hedge against high oil prices Lawmakers often confuse bio-based with compostable and biodegradable plastics Some marketers imply bio-based plastics will biodegrade

Resources to Address Misconceptions Ocean Conservancy’s Stemming the Tide analysis concludes not a solution for Marine Debris Environmental NGOs and large brands working to identify and mitigate potential adverse impacts UNEP report addresses misconceptions about biodegradation in the marine environment ASTM D6868 and Biodegradable Products Institute Society of the Plastics Industry’s Bioplastics Council

Closing Thoughts LCAs are critical to inform material choices; all facets of sustainability should be taken into account. Our industry is innovative: what’s true today may not be true tomorrow, so don’t lock in particular materials oxo-degradable additives should NOT be recycled with other plastics, PLA can be recycled, but only with a separate specific PLA stream, and bio-based PE/PET fit with existing recycling infrastructure