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Bio-based VS Biodegradable

One of the most critical yet frequently misunderstood distinctions in sustainable materials science lies in the relationship between these two concepts.
They describe different stages and attributes of a material’s life cycle and are not inherently equivalent or directly linked.

  • Bio-based
    Refers to the origin of the material (“where it comes from”).
    A material is classified as bio-based if its carbon atoms originate from contemporary biomass (e.g., plants, agricultural waste).

  • Biodegradable
    Refers to the end-of-life fate of the material (“where it goes”).
    A material is deemed biodegradable if it can be fully broken down by microorganisms under specific environmental conditions into naturally occurring substances such as CO₂, H₂O, methane, and biomass.

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