Hello! I'm Kimura from the ApparelX Sustainability Team.
The term "bio ◯◯" is often seen these days, such as "bio nylon," "bio polyester," and "bio urea."
Although it may seem environmentally friendly, many people may wonder, "What exactly is the raw material for bio?" This time, as the first step to understanding sustainable materials, we will explain what "bio" really is in an easy-to-understand way.
What is "bio"?
"Bio" as used in the materials industry refers to the use of biologically derived raw materials, or "biomass." While many materials have previously relied on petroleum-derived raw materials, biomaterials replace some or all of these with renewable biological raw materials.
What is biomass?
It refers to the amount (mass) of biological resources (bio), and is generally a general term for "organic matter derived from plants and animals that can be used as an energy source."
Main raw materials for biomaterials
The main raw materials used in materials called "bio ◯◯" are as follows:
・Corn
·sugar cane
・Wood (cellulose)
・Casava and other tubers
・Vegetable oil
・Ingredients obtained through microbial fermentation
These are renewable resources that are difficult to exhaust and form the basis for sustainable material development.
Why are bio-based materials attracting attention?
The background to this is growing awareness of environmental issues.
・Moving away from oil dependency
Petroleum is a limited resource, so using bio-based materials can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
・Carbon neutral concept
Plants absorb CO₂ during their growth process, and it is believed that using plant-derived materials can reduce CO₂ emissions over the entire life cycle of the material.
"Bio" does not mean "returning to nature"
This is a point that is often misunderstood. Biomaterials simply mean " made from biologically derived materials," but they are not necessarily biodegradable.
There are some materials that do not decompose even when biodegradable.
・In many cases, only a small proportion of products are bio-based
Many designs prioritize performance and durability
For this reason, specific descriptions such as "bio-derived" and "biomass ◯%" have recently become important.
Examples of "bio XXX" used in apparel
The following materials are used in the fields of fashion and auxiliary materials:
・polyester: polyester made partially from plant-derived materials
・Bio-nylon: Made from plant-derived materials such as castor oil
・Bio-Urea: Urea resin made from bio-derived raw materials
Both of these aim to "reducing the environmental impact while maintaining the functionality of conventional materials."
Key points to consider when choosing sustainable materials
Rather than judging solely by the word "bio," we recommend checking the following points:
What is the origin of the raw material?
What is the bio ratio?
- Whether it is biodegradable or not, and whether it is suitable for the intended use and durability.
With the right understanding, you can make choices that communicate your sustainable efforts.
Here are some of the bio ◯◯ products featured on ApparelX!
BNP-002 polyester 4-hole buttons
This product is a button made from rapeseed oil residue, bagasse, and wheat straw.
CAS-1 Bio Nylon 4-Hole Buttons
These buttons are made from oil extracted from castor beans (a non-edible ingredient).
PRV-48 Bio Yuria 4-Hole Buttons
These buttons are made from sugarcane pomace.
summary
What did you think? The "bio" in "bio ◯◯" refers to using ingredients derived from living organisms. This is a realistic approach to reducing our dependence on petroleum and lowering our environmental impact.
By understanding the background and meaning of materials, sustainability may become more familiar and convincing.
In addition to the products introduced here, we also offer other biomass products, so if you are interested, please take a look here .
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