With ever-increasing concerns surrounding the environmental impacts of plastics, researchers continue to develop more sustainable alternative polymers to replace them. Conventional plastic polymers are constructed from non-renewable materials and, once formed, are not easily degraded. While recycling plastic polymers has gained popularity over the past decade, this process is not possible for all applications and relies on large-scale recycling infrastructure. To avoid these problems, researchers have leaned into the idea of plastic alternatives and developing these new materials.
Biopolymers, polymers created from plant sources such as starch and cellulose, are a popular alternative to conventional plastic. The key advantages of biopolymers are that they can be developed from renewable plant resources and designed to be easily biodegradable; however, creating a sustainable biomaterial that has the properties of plastic can be a challenge. Researchers who use CAS solutions have access to comprehensive information to aid in literature review and polymer development, securing IP protection for their innovations and a tailored digital transformation infrastructure to accelerate their processes.
Streamlining your literature review
Researchers across the industry are creating new approaches and designing novel polymers all the time, so keeping abreast of evolving developments is key to remaining competitive within the market. In the initial phase of biopolymer design, scientists must navigate the literature surrounding the different biopolymer material choices to find the one most suitable for their application.
You can identify publication trends in these biopolymer materials over time using the CAS SciFinder Discovery PlatformTM. In the last 20 years, the number of journal articles and patents published shows that interest in these materials is growing exponentially. While starch still dominates both published articles and patent publications, chitosan, in particular, has begun to experience increased popularity within the sector.
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Streamline the literature review process and accelerate the search for biopolymer materials using CAS SciFinder. The solution boasts advanced filtering techniques, including Concept and Substance Role filters, which simplify navigation to your ideal material, leaving more time for innovation.
Learn more about searching with CAS SciFinder
Refining monomers and polymers
Polymers and plastics can be developed to have many different properties depending on the application. This ranges from soft and flexible to rigid and strong, while also exhibiting other functionalities, including transparency, permeability, and hydrophobicity. These properties are determined by the structure of the polymer or its monomers, so during the development of new biopolymers, this structure must be carefully refined.
CAS SciFinder can help you explore the structural properties of monomers and polymers. Use filters to narrow your searches by Concept and Substance Role, further refining your search results and allowing you to identify the structure you need for your next innovation. With easy access to related references, reactions, and suppliers, it puts all the important information you need to assist in polymer research in one place.
Learn more about CAS REGISTRY(R) and CAS SciFinder
Protecting your biopolymer innovations
In the fast-paced market of biopolymer development, researchers need to protect their discoveries and take full advantage of IP protection related to their novel materials. With the global biopolymers and bioplastics market expected to be worth $28.94 billion by 2028, there is huge potential for new innovations in the sector. Industry giants have already been scaling up their business with Braskem, the world’s leading biopolymer producer, expanding its biopolymer production by 30% after an $87 million investment.
With the STN IP Protection SuiteTM, you have access to critical IP insights to examine the biopolymer landscape and protect your new innovations. From exploring comprehensive patent information to creating tailored alerts to stay up-to-date on new filings and innovations in the biopolymer industry, working with CAS supports you on your IP protection journey and helps you ensure the security of your biopolymer breakthroughs.
Learn more about STN IP Protection Suite
Introducing digital transformation technologies
As the research landscape continues to be altered by AI (artificial intelligence) technologies, introducing a comprehensive digital transformation plan is essential to keep pace. When designing biopolymers, AI pipelines can be created to accelerate innovations and reduce research and development costs.
One 2022 study reported a new method for applying multitask deep neural networks to bioplastic design. The researchers used neural networks to predict the material properties of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a bioplastic with a chemical complexity that limits traditional R&D methods. With the power of their algorithm, the team was able to narrow almost 1.4 million candidates down to 14 PHA-based bioplastics, which could potentially replace the seven petroleum-based plastics that account for 75% of global plastic production.
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By applying their extensive knowledge management expertise, experts in the CAS Custom ServicesSM team can support you in building digital transformation technologies tailored to your specific needs. Our team can assist with integrating your own data into both the CAS Content CollectionTM and external third-party datasets and developing digital solutions of all kinds, including AI and machine learning.
Learn more about CAS Custom Services
Creating the biopolymers of tomorrow
While there are many challenges in developing the next generation of biopolymers, the market currently presents huge opportunities for researchers within the sector. CAS can streamline your R&D process and clear your path to your next innovative biopolymer, help you secure and protect your intellectual property, and support your next digital transformation initiative. Partner with CAS today and accelerate your journey to create the biopolymers of tomorrow.