Experts urge more R&D in bioplastics from seaweed to help reduce plastic pollution

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The National Academy of Science and Technology-Philippines (NAST PHL) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), called for prioritizing national efforts and initiatives on research and development (R&D) of seaweed-derived bioplastics during the 48th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), July 9.

Having identified a thousand local seaweed species, Filipino scientists eyed algal polymer-based biodegradable plastics, or bioplastics, to minimize the ballooning plastic pollution crisis. However, they emphasized the need to bridge gaps in their R&D.

“There should be more investments in the fundamental research to identify niche areas [of the Philippines bioplastic industry] as an opportunity for inclusive run and sustainable development,” Academician Marco Nemesio E. Montaño said during his plenary talk.

The experts defined bioplastic as a plastic derived from biological sources, such as seaweeds, and a plastic that can be broken down into harmless materials through the natural processes.

Meanwhile, echoing this sentiment, Academician Ernesto J. del Rosario mentioned the Philippines should leverage the country’s open seas and inter-island marine territories to nest seaweed farming for a sustainable supply of seaweeds and their products, such as the mentioned bioplastics.

Presently, the Philippines ranks fourth among the world’s top seaweed producers, accounting for 4.2 percent of the global market, with Kappaphycus alvarezii contributing most of the country’s current production.

“We are only utilizing a very small fraction of our available ocean and sea resources for growing seaweeds. We have a [large] economic zone where we can grow seaweeds as a source of [biopolymers]. So, that makes us a very potential producer of bioplastics,” Acd. del Rosario shared.

The experts reported that seaweeds are a rich source of various biopolymers that can be converted into bioplastics, including carrageenan from Kappaphycus and Eucheuma, alginates from Sargassum, agar-agar, and fucoidan.

However, Acd. Montaño emphasized the need to master the chemistry of these polymers, such as mixing them with bioadditives, like glycerol or sorbitol, to achieve the effective toughness and pliability of a bioplastic.

“We have the biopolymer plus additives that would result in bioplastics. This is important to develop a strong bioplastics industry; we must study the chemistry of biopolymers and additives,” he added.

Aside from this, Acd. del Rosario urged universities and research agencies to focus on isolating long-chain biopolymers, evaluate its properties, and optimize its preparation up to the production of bioplastics.

He also added that further R&D must be carried out to discover and cultivate new persistent seaweed varieties that can resist climate change while lowering production costs.

“You've probably heard of the effect of global warming on the corals. [...] Many of their sea corals are disappearing. We do not want that to happen in the [seaweeds], here in the Philippines,” the academician said.

Once the Philippines pushed bioplastics as an industry, the two academicians believed it would provide a sustainable economy for coastal communities, particularly Sulu, Southern Mindanao, and other provinces that venture into seaweeds.

This, according to Acd. del Rosario, would springboard the Philippines to catch up on being the top producer of both seaweeds and various seaweed-based products, including bioplastics, alongside Indonesia, China, and South Korea.

When asked where it will be positioned as a priority research area for the country in the next decades, the academicians replied: “It should be in the Top 5.”

“If we have the [seaweed] bioplastics, at least we'll reduce the pollution. And we produce more products from seaweeds,” they said.

The Annual Scientific Meeting of NAST PHL is one of the many initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.nast.dost.gov.ph. (By Karl Jerome M. del Mundo, DOST-STII)