Bioplastics, an emerging technology that uses plant resins to make biodegradable and compostable plastic from renewable resources, is a field that is constantly evolving with new materials and technology.

This technology actually creates plastic resins by fermenting the starches and sugars in corn, sugarcane and other plants into lactic acid. The lactic acid is converted into a plastic substance, which is heated and shaped before being used in product manufacture.

The production of bioplastics results in the emission of far less carbon dioxide than traditional plastics, and is being used for everything from gift cards, deli containers and picnic ware to mobile phone cases and auto parts. Auto parts?

In 2003, Toyota Motor Corporation became the first automaker in the world to use bioplastics in the manufacture of auto parts, employing them in covers for the spare tire and for plastic trays inside the passenger compartment. These days Toyota is in development with an ultra light, super efficient plug-in hybrid with a bioplastic body made of seaweed that could be in the showroom in the 10 to 15 years. …read more of Toyota Kelp Car: Wave of the Future here