Innovation Trends in Plastic Recycling and Bioplastics

According to a report issued in early October by the European Patent Office, the United States and countries across Europe, particularly Germany, France, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium, are leading in terms of patent activity for innovations in the bioplastics and plastic recycling industries. They are particularly prevalent in cosmetics and detergents, and these trends are projected to continue in the coming years. The same report analyzed innovation trends in both plastic recycling and bioplastic technologies using data from 2010 to 2019. International patent families have been instrumental in submitting ideas to patent offices across the globe, and the European Patent Office considers these to be valid indicators of future trends. There has been a greater need for plastic recycling technologies and bioplastics over the last few years, especially because of the global environmental crisis. As such, there are more companies and developers pursuing inventions related to these industries. Many nations have also begun implementing projects to go greener in an attempt to curb pollution rates worldwide.

The Plastic Problem

Plastic pollution has been one of the most pressing environmental issues around the globe, with plastic waste severely impacting the health of oceans and wildlife in a negative manner. The global production of plastics has increased exponentially over the past decade, with first-world or high-income countries being the top generators of plastic. Plastic is cheap and accessible, which makes it a top choice for many companies. Individuals also utilize single-use plastics in their daily lives, and much of these go straight into natural landforms and bodies of water. This is a major threat to the environment. Over the past decade alone, millions of sea creatures have fallen prey to plastics in the ocean, and they are experiencing a significantly lower quality of life due to plastic pollution. António Campinos, the president of the European Patent Office, had this to say: "While plastics are essential to the economy, plastic pollution is threatening ecosystems all over the planet. The good news is that innovation can help us to address this challenge by enabling the transition to a fully circular model.” Today’s plastic production is a stark contrast to how things were in 1950, when there were only 2 million tons of plastic produced each year. Today, that number has grown by over 200-fold, with nearly 400 million tons of plastic being produced globally. By 2050, it is estimated that 12 billion tons of plastic waste will have been discarded. Many countries have begun taking steps towards solving the plastic problem, with key developers searching for ways to address plastic waste. This is what has prompted the United States and various European countries to invest more resources into inventions and patents dedicated towards plastic recycling and bioplastics.

A Renewed Focus on Bioplastics and Plastics Recycling Technologies

Bioplastics research has been in full swing since the 1980s, but innovations in this field only came about in the 2000s. Researchers have been looking into biomass-sourced polymers, chemically-modified natural biopolymers, and biodegradable plastics. Various materials can be used to create these bioplastics and make them more accessible for companies and the average consumer. While patent filings did experience a decline in 2003, demand for greener innovations has been rising as of late. There is currently a focus on biopolymer composition and structure, particularly on materials for orthopedic medicine and supplies for cleaning. These biopolymer projects are geared towards making plastic bags biodegradable, which will make them safer for the environment. There are also steps towards developing environmentally friendly wallpaper and sensors that can efficiently measure the humidity and temperature of soil. Alongside Europe and the United States, South Korean and Japanese developers are driving patent filings. Companies like BASF and LG Chemical are leading in bioplastics patent filing. For plastics recycling, on the other hand, Eastman, Bridgestone, Solvay, and Chevron are leading in patent filing. However, the United States and Europe account for over 60% of patenting activity worldwide related to such technologies. According to Campinos, "This report highlights Europe's contribution towards a circular economy for plastics, but shows more can be done to transfer fundamental research to industry." The report is geared to be a guide for policymakers and business leaders alike, and it can help them make key decisions when it comes to delegating resources and creating action points for their organizations. They can also help assess frontrunners with promising projects that can lead to long-term growth. With insights and data into patent filing behavior, consumers and developers alike can see the different technologies coming into the market over the next few years. Moreover, the report highlights how the United States and Europe have been innovating and making good on their promise to go green.

Analyzing Alternative Plastic Technologies

Alternative plastics serve as an umbrella for bioplastics and easily recyclable plastics. Innovations geared towards alternative plastics may eventually replace non-biodegradable, single-use plastics. There is a distinction to be made, however, in terms of biodegradability. Not all bioplastics are biodegradable. Polymers developed from bio-sourced monomers are also growing in popularity. Many of these are not biodegradable plastics, but they are a step towards greener, more efficient bioplastic technologies. Eventually, these innovations are projected to branch out to greener technologies, making bioplastics more reliable and eco-friendly. Many patents dedicated to these materials are focused on the utilization of renewable resources as well.

The Future of Plastic Technologies

The data on patent filing today shows that the bulk of filings is geared towards improving the state of bioplastics, making them more suitable for mass production. These developments are also geared towards improving the properties of such plastics to improve their durability and performance. There will be more focus on the enzymatic breakdown of polymers, and there is much innovation to be done in the pyrolysis techniques used on plastic. Overall, there is a surge in innovations and developments geared towards renewable and eco-friendly technologies. Plastic recycling and bioplastic technologies are at the forefront of such developments, particularly because these can best address the plastic problem. Investors can also utilize the report to find projects worth investing in, especially since many of these innovations are expected to have real-world applications over the next few years. As Campinos says, more is to be expected in the fields of bioplastics and plastic recycling. There will also be more focus on university research, as many university teams also have promising projects geared towards greener innovations. Because of the global effort to go green, there is a bigger chance for nations to curb the environmental crisis.