From Plants to Plastic Products

Bio-based Plastics for Circular Product Development

Doctoral Thesis (2025)
Author(s)

P. Bos (TU Delft - Design for Sustainability)

Contributor(s)

C.A. Bakker – Promotor (TU Delft - Design for Sustainability)

R. Balkenende – Promotor (TU Delft - Design for Sustainability)

S.S. van Dam – Copromotor (TU Delft - Design for Sustainability)

Research Group
Design for Sustainability
More Info
expand_more
Publication Year
2025
Language
English
Research Group
Design for Sustainability
ISBN (print)
978-94-6384-865-7
Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Abstract

Achieving sustainability is an important challenge that requires new approaches to the design and production of materials and products. Bio-based plastics offer a promising opportunity in the search for sustainable materials. Derived from renewable feedstocks such as plants and agricultural waste, they offer an alternative to traditional fossil-based plastics. Yet, despite their potential, bio-based plastics are mainly used in packaging and other short-lived products, and the opportunities of using bio-based plastics in durable products remain largely underexplored.

This dissertation explores how bio-based plastics can be incorporated into the development of durable products for a circular economy. It examines the opportunities, challenges, and decision points faced by product developers when working with bio-based plastics, moving beyond simple material substitution to rethinking product design and development. The dissertation provides practical guidance to support product developers in making informed, sustainable choices when developing durable, circular products with bio-based plastics.