Due to their main characteristics of being renewable and to their ability to store carbon over their growth, recent years assisted to their upsurge as a valid alternative compared to more traditional materials in view of climate mitigation.[4]
In European context, more specifically, European Union, which has set 2050 as a target date to reach climate neutrality,[5] is trying to implement, among other measures, the production and utilization of bio-based materials in many diverse sectors. Indeed, several European regulations, such as the European Industrial Strategy,[6] the EU Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative [7] and the Circular Action Plan,[8] emphasize bio-materials. These regulations aim to support innovation, investment, and market adoption of bio-materials while enhancing the transition towards a circular economy where resources are used more efficiently.[9] In this regard, the application of bio-based materials has been already tested on several market segments, ranging from the production of chemicals, to packaging and textiles, till the fabrication of full construction components.[9]
Bio-based materials can differ depending on the origin of the biomass they're mostly constituted.[10] Moreover, they can be differently manufactured,[4] resulting in either simple or more complex engineered bio-products, which can be used for many applications.[11] Among processed materials, it is possible to distinguish between bio-based polymers, bio-based plastics, bio-based chemical fibres, bio-based leather,[12] bio-based rubber, bio-based coatings, bio-based material additives, bio-based composites.[11] Unprocessed materials, instead, may be called biotic material.
^Development, Office of Research &. "BIOBASED MATERIALS". cfpub.epa.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-21.