Bioplastics from Plant-Derived Sources — Novomer (and related biotechnology firms)

Biological model: Plant leaves, citrus peel, rubisco enzyme

Company: Novomer (and related biotechnology firms)

Development of biodegradable bioplastics using plant-based materials and enzymatic processes inspired by natural photosynthesis and plant metabolism.

The challenge

Petroleum-based plastics persist in the environment for centuries, accumulating in ecosystems. Conventional plastic production is energy-intensive and unsustainable.

Nature's strategy

Plant leaves, citrus peel structure, rubisco enzyme and photosynthetic metabolism

What was emulated

Enzymatic catalysis, efficient carbon processing, biodegradable polymer synthesis found in plant metabolism

The innovation

Development of enzymatic and plant-based pathways for polymer synthesis that mimic natural photosynthetic and metabolic processes.

Full case study

Novomer and related companies developed bioplastics using plant-derived feedstocks and biomimetic chemical processes. The approach mimics how plants use photosynthesis and enzymatic catalysis to create complex polymers from simple carbon sources. By using rubisco enzyme (the most abundant protein on Earth, responsible for CO2 fixation in photosynthesis) and plant leaf structures as inspiration, these bioplastics achieve biodegradability and reduced environmental impact compared to petroleum-based plastics.