bio-based
From living sources
Bio-based describes materials or products derived from biological sources—plants, animals, or microorganisms—rather than petroleum or synthetic chemicals.
The term appears most often in discussions of sustainable alternatives: bio-based plastics, bio-based fuels, bio-based packaging.
A product can be bio-based without being biodegradable, and vice versa.
Plant-derived synthetic material
- biomaterialSubstance for biological integration
- feedstockUnprocessed manufacturing input
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
- resinViscous plant secretion
cellulose · starch · lignin · chitin · fiber · composite · packaging · biodegradable
Fuel from organic sources
- ethanolDrinkable volatile spirit
- biodieselPlant-based motor fuel
- biogasFuel from anaerobic decomposition
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
distillation · cellulosic · biorefinery · renewable · carbon-neutral · corn · switchgrass · sugarcane
Forming a closed curve
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
- renewableCapable of restoration
- lifecycleStages from beginning to end
- certificationAttestation of qualification
USDA · labeling · sourcing · supply-chain · agriculture · forestry · green · eco-friendly
Relating to life's chemistry
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
- biocatalystOrganic reaction accelerator
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
bioprocessing · precursor · monomer · biopolymer · biorefinery · renewable · sustainable · microbial
bioplastic
Plant-derived synthetic material
- biomaterialSubstance for biological integration
- feedstockUnprocessed manufacturing input
- polymerLarge repeated-unit molecule
resin · cellulose · starch · lignin · chitin · fiber · composite · packaging · biodegradable · compostable
biofuel
Fuel from organic sources
- ethanolDrinkable volatile spirit
- biodieselPlant-based motor fuel
- biogasFuel from anaerobic decomposition
fermentation · distillation · cellulosic · biorefinery · renewable · carbon-neutral · corn · switchgrass · sugarcane · algae
circular
Forming a closed curve
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
- renewableCapable of restoration
- lifecycleStages from beginning to end
certification · USDA · labeling · sourcing · supply-chain · agriculture · forestry · green · eco-friendly · manufacturing
biochemical
Relating to life's chemistry
- biosynthesisLiving production of molecules
- biocatalystOrganic reaction accelerator
- enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
fermentation · bioprocessing · precursor · monomer · biopolymer · biorefinery · renewable · sustainable · microbial
bio-basedpetrochemical
Product from crude processing
oil-based · synthetic · abiotic · non-biological · inorganic
bio-basednon-renewable
Not naturally restored
fossil · extractive · unsustainable · finite · depletable
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