SECTION 1
The Biopolymer Materials Landscape

1. Introduction
   1. Terminology
   2. Standards for Biopolymers
      1. Biobased Content
      2. Biodegradability
      3. Packaging Biopolymers
   3. Definitions
   4. Growth of Biopolymers Supply
2. Current Drivers for Biopolymers
   1. Supply & Demand
   2. Environmental & Quality of Life
   3. Sustainability
      1. Life Cycle Assessment
   4. Legislative Activity
      1. Europe
      2. Japan
      3. United States
      4. NGOs
3. The Biochemical Sources of Biopolymers and Suppliers
   1. The Basic Building Blocks (Monomer)
      1. The Sugar Platform
      2. The Vegetable Oil Platform
   2. Manufacturing Biopolymers

   2.1 Polymers Produced Directly By Living Organisms

   1. Cellulose and Starch
   2. Soy Protein
   3. PHBV and PHAs
      1. Manufacturers of PHAs
      2. Intellectual Property Issues
      3. Range of PHA-Based Biopolymers

   2.2 Polymers and Intermediates Produced Completely by Polymerization of Monomers Which Either Exist in Nature or are Derived from Materials Which Exist in Nature

   1. Polylactic Acid (PLA)
      1. Pricing
   2. Nylon 11
   3. “Green Polyethylene”

   2.3 Polymers Which Combine Monomers Which Either Exist in Nature or Are Extracted From Materials Which Exist in Nature, With Petrochemical-Derived Monomers

   1. Soy-Based Polyols
   2. PTT and Polytrimethylene Glycol Products
   3. Nylon II Based Thermoplastic Elastomers
   4. Polyamide 6, 10

   2.4 Blends of Renewable Resource Polymers and Petroleum-Based Materials

   1. Plantic
   2. Novamont
   3. Biotec
   4. DaniMer Scientific
   5. Cereplast
   6. Cerestech, Inc.
   7. BASF
   8. Other

SECTION 2
Packaging Applications of Biopolymers
The Packaging Biopolymers
Introduction

1. Current Activities Divided Geographically by Key Packaging Biopolymers
   1. PLA
      1. Technical Developments
         1. Japan
         2. Europe
         3. United States
      2. Current Packaging End Use Applications for PLA
         1. Japan
         2. United States/Europe
   2. Starched-Based Blends
      1. Technical Developments
         1. Japan
         2. Europe
         3. United States
      2. Current Packaging End Use Applications for Starched-Based Blends
         1. Japan
         2. United States/Europe
   3. PHAs
      1. Technical Developments
         1. Japan
         2. Europe
         3. United States
      2. Current Packaging End Use Applications for PHAs
         1. Japan
         2. United States
2. Drivers for the Packaging Polymers
   1. Economic
   2. Non-Economic
3. Advantages and Disadvantages of the Primary Packaging Biopolymers
   1. NatureWorks LLC Polylactic Acid (PLA)
      1. Thermoforming
      2. Injection Stretch Blow Molding
      3. Foamed Parts
      4. Biaxially Oriented Film
      5. Injection Molding
      6. Blown Film
   2. Starch-Based Products
      1. Novamont Mater-Bi
      2. Biotec
      3. Cereplast
         1. Compostables
         2. Hybrid Resins
      4. Plantic
   3. PHAs
      1. Metabolix
   4. Summary Table Advantages and Disadvantages
4. Additive Technology Development
   1. Improving Heat Resistance
      1. Improving the Speed of Crystallization by the Use of Nucleating Agents
      2. Using the Optical Nature of the Two Isomers of PLA (D and L Forms) To Generate a Higher Melting Point PLA Product
      3. Manufacture Of Blends Using Other Renewable Resource Derived Monomers
      4. Use Of Fillers and Natural Fibers
   2. Improving Impact Resistance
   3. Improving Barrier Properties
   4. Improving Extensional Flow Characteristics
5. Packaging Biopolymer Recycling Issues and Problems
   1. Introduction
   2. Pressures On PLA
   3. Ripple Effects; the Law of Unintended Consequences

SECTION 3
The Economics Of Biopolymer Packaging

1. Biopolymer vs Conventional Plastic Packaging
   1. Food Packaging Applications
   2. End-Cycle Behavior
2. Elements Impacting Manufacturing Economics
   1. Biopolymer and Petroleum-Based Resin Properties
   2. Biopolymer and Petroleum-Based Resin Cost
   3. The Impact of Petroleum Economics on Biopolymer Cost
3. Cost Models Procedues And Assumptions
   1. The Package Types Selected for Cost Analysis
   2. The Cost Modeling Methodology
   3. Cost Modeling Assumptions
   4. The Manufacturing Platforms
4. Manufacturing Cost Model
   1. Blow Molded Containers
      1. Injection Stretch Blow Molded Containers Package and Material Types Evaluated
         • 500 ml Water Bottle: PLA, PET
         • 16-Ounce Wide Mouth Jar: PlA, PET
         • Injection Stretch Blow Molding Conclusions
      2. Extrusion Blow Molded Containers
         • Package and Material Types Evaluated
         • Half-Gallon Dairy Bottle: HDPE, PLA
         • Extrusion Blow Molding Conclusions
   2. Injection Molded Containers
      • Package and Material Types Evaluated
      • 370 ml Deli Tub: Polypropylene, Cereplast,
        Mater-Bi, Mirel
      • Injection Molding Conclusions
   3. Thermoformed Containers
      • Package and Material Types Evaluated
      • Clamshell: PET, PLA, Cereplast
      • Candy Tray: Polystyrene, Plantic
      • Thermoforming Conclusions
   4. Blown Film Bags
      • Package and Material Types Evaluated
      • Thin Wall Grocery Bag: HDPE, PLA, Cereplast, Mater-Bi
      • Blown Film Bag Conclusions

SECTION 4
Conclusions Of The Study

APPENDIX:

Injection Stretch Blow Molded Cases

Water Bottles
Wide Mouth Jars

Extrusion Blow Molded Cases

Half Gallon Dairy Bottles
Wide Mouth Jars

Injection Molded Cases

Thin-wall Deli Tub

Thermoformed Cases

Clamshell Container
Candy Tray

Blown Film Bags

Thin-Wall Grocery Bag

PLUS: This report is illustrated with more than 80 originally researched and developed comparative cost differential and cost-per-thousand manufacturing models