What are bioplastics and what are their main types?

Bioplastics are plastics derived from renewable biomass sources or designed to be biodegradable (or both). Main categories: 1) Bio-based, non-biodegradable - made from renewable sources but chemically identical to fossil-based plastics (bio-PE, bio-PET from sugarcane ethanol); recyclable but don't biodegrade. 2) Bio-based and biodegradable - made from biomass and can biodegrade (PLA from corn starch, PHA from bacterial fermentation, starch blends); compostable under appropriate conditions. 3) Fossil-based biodegradable - petroleum-derived but engineered to biodegrade (PBAT, PCL); used in compostable packaging. Key materials include PLA (packaging, 3D printing), PHA (medical applications, packaging), starch blends (bags, packaging), and cellulose-based materials. Considerations include end-of-life management (industrial composting required for many), cost competitiveness, performance properties, and avoiding contamination of recycling streams.