Bio-based material

Material made from substances derived from living organisms

A bio-based material is a material intentionally made from substances derived from living (or once-living) organisms.^[1] These materials are sometimes referred to as biomaterials, but this word also has another meaning. Strictly the definition could include many common materials such as wood and leather, but it typically refers to modern materials that have undergone more extensive processing. Unprocessed materials may be called biotic material. Bio-based materials or biomaterials fall under the broader category of bioproducts or bio-based products which includes materials, chemicals and energy derived from renewable biological resources.

Bio-based materials are often biodegradable, but this is not always the case.

Examples include:

- Wood: A bio-based material that can be used in packaging, clothing, and furniture
- Leather: A bio-based material that can be derived from living organisms
- Silk: A bio-based material that can be derived from living organisms
- Wool: A bio-based material that can be derived from living organisms
- Polylactic acid (PLA): A common bioplastic that is made from corn starch or sugar cane
- Cellulose: A polysaccharide that is used as a biopolymer for natural packaging material
- Chitosan: A bioplastic that has antimicrobial properties and can reduce food waste and food packaging waste
- Renewable biomass: Common bio-based materials that include cereals, legumes, straw, bamboo, and wood flour^[2]

References

^ Development, Office of Research &. "BIOBASED MATERIALS". cfpub.epa.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
^ "Bio-Based Material - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2023-08-21.

Materials

Materials by origin

From nature	Natural materials, Biotic materials, Alternative natural materials, Parent material
From space	Extraterrestrial materials

Materials by structure

Combined materials	Composite material, Hybrid material
Material by orientation or size	Layered materials, Orthotropic material, Nanophase material, Nanomaterials

Materials by property

Designed materials	Smart material, Phase-change material, Self-healing material, Hyperelastic material, Strongly correlated material, Electroshapable material
Density or hardness	Ultralight material, Superhard material, Mesoporous material
Nuclear material	Special nuclear material, Fertile material
Energy content	Combustible material, Energetic material
Thermal properties	Thermoelectric materials
Legal status	Certified reference materials

Materials by use

Raw material	Basic material that is used to produce goods, energy, or intermediate materials
Building materials	List of building materials, Building insulation material, Structural material
Use in human body	Biomaterial: List of biomaterials, Dental material

Materials science