Biobased performance bioplastic: Mirel.

Each year over 140 million tons of petroleum-based polymers are produced worldwide and used in the production of such plasticsaspolyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, and others. Mostly using oil, coal, and natural gas as raw materials for their manufacturing, these plastics are common in every facet of our lives from the pharmaceutical industry to household use. Approximately 10% of all the oil and gas that the United States produces and imports is used in the production of synthetic plastics, and the market is expected to grow at a rate of up to 15% per year. While these products hold up well to our fast-paced, throwaway society, disposed plastic materials can remain in the environment for up to 2,000 years and longer. In 2005, the U.S.