Abstract
Bioplastics are plastics that are manufactured from biomass. These polymers
have become increasingly popular as a means of conserving fossil fuels, lowering CO2
emissions and minimising plastic waste. The biodegradability of bioplastics has been
highly promoted, and the demand for packaging among merchants and the food
industry is fast rising. It also has a lot of potential applications in the biological and
automobile industries. The plastic on the market is extremely dangerous because it is
non-biodegradable and harmful to the environment. As a result, the production and
usage of biodegradable polymers are becoming increasingly popular. Some of the more
recent formulations, partially as a result of third-party certifications, are more
compliant than the initial generation of degradable plastics, which failed to achieve
marketing claims. Many “degradable” plastics, on the other hand, do not degrade
quickly, and it is unclear whether their use will lead to significant reductions in a litter.
Biodegradable polymers, such as poly(lactic acid), are seen as viable replacements for
commodity plastics. In seawater, however, poly(lactic acid) is practically non-degradable. Other biodegradable polymers' degradation rates are further influenced by
the habitats they wind up in, such as soil or marine water, or when utilised in healthcare
equipment. All of these aspects are discussed in detail in this chapter, including
bioplastic types, applications, production, degradation, problems in landfills and sea
water, fermentation, synthesis, and sustainability. This chapter, taken as a whole, is
intended to help evaluate the possibilities of biodegradable polymers as alternative
materials to commercial plastics.