WHY ARE BIOPOLYMERS BETTER THAN GLASS PACKAGING?

What exactly are biopolymers?  

Biopolymers  are natural macromolecular substances produced by living organisms , such as plants, animals or microorganisms. These include, for example, proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) or polysaccharides such as cellulose or starch.  

These materials are renewable , biodegradable and non-toxic . Thanks to these properties, they are widely used in medicine, the food industry and as an ecological alternative to classic plastics.  

Biopolymers are used in more places than you might think. In healthcare, for example, they are used to make absorbable suture materials, bone implants, drug carriers  or in tissue engineering. In the food industry they are used, for example, as edible packaging . In ecology, they are used mainly for the production of biodegradable packaging, which helps reduce plastic waste and carbon footprint.  

There are several types of biopolymers, which differ in the way they are produced. Some are produced fermentation of plant sugars ( for example from corn) and are popular in the packaging industry and in 3D printing. Others are produced by bacteria as storage substances and are fully biodegradable even in the natural environment . There are also biopolymers obtained from crustacean shells, which are used in medicine due to their antibacterial properties  during wound healing.  

In our case, we use biopolymers produced through a natural fermentation process , similar to the production of yogurt, fermented vegetables or wine. This natural process allows us to create a material that is environmentally friendly and at the same time of sufficient quality to protect cosmetic products.  

What makes them better than glass?  

One of the main reasons is energy intensity production. Glass production requires extremely high temperatures, often exceeding 1500 °C, which means high energy consumption. In contrast, biopolymers are processed at significantly lower temperatures, which significantly reduces emission CO₂ already during the production process.  

Another advantage is their low weight. Biopolymers are significantly lighter than glass, which plays a key role in transportation. The lower weight means lower fuel consumption  during the transport of products from the manufacturer to the final customer.  

A big advantage is also their Shatter resistance . Unlike glass, biopolymer packaging is unbreakable, which reduces handling losses and eliminates the need for excess protective packaging , such as bubble wrap or polystyrene.  

In addition, modern biopolymers can be modified to provide a very good barrier against oxygen and moisture. This makes them able to protect the active ingredients in cosmetic products as effectively as glass. At the same time, UV filters can be more easily incorporated into their structure to protect the contents from degradation caused by light.  

Although glass is theoretically infinitely recyclable, in practice A large number of glass cosmetic bottles end up in municipal waste.  This is usually due to product residues or small packaging dimensions that make sorting difficult. On the other hand, biodegradable biopolymers can be composted in industrial composting plants. decompose into biomass, water and CO₂ without leaving any residue microplastics .  

Sustainable cosmetics in practice  

IN Bohemians Cosmetics  We believe that skin care should go hand in hand with caring for the planet .  That's why we decided to use modern biopolymer packaging for our creams that combine functionality, product protection and environmental friendliness.  

Our creams are not only high-quality skin care, but also a step towards more responsible cosmetics. Thanks to the lightweight, durable and biodegradable packaging we help reduce the ecological footprint  cosmetic products without compromising on quality or protection of active ingredients.  

By choosing cosmetics in biopolymer packaging, you are making a small decision that can have a big impact – not only for your skin, but also for the future of our planet.  

Written with love and respect

Julie M.