Biomaterials: Past is the Future

Biomaterials have long been part of our lives. We lived in wooden houses, wore clothes made of natural fibres (cotton and wool), and lived a natural life. With advances in technology, we started living in concrete houses, powering our heating, cooling, and transportation with fossil fuels. Our everyday products were made from synthetic materials. Climate change and ecological sustainability concerns are now turning the clock back. We are reviving the traditional ways of living, which has led to the growth of biomaterials.

So, what are biomaterials? Biomaterials are of two types:

• A material derived from, or produced by, biological organisms like plants, animals, bacteria, fungi and other life forms. These are also called biologically derived materials.
• A material used for a biological purpose such as a biomedical application like treating an injury or growing biological cells. These may be synthetic.

According to McKinsey, over the next ten to 20 years, advances in the use of biology in the production of materials, chemicals, and energy could amount to $200 billion to $300 billion in global market growth.

Biomaterials development started when people started using biological materials like plants, wood, paper, leather, textiles and other such materials to replace unsustainable materials. Soon, biotechnology took over and helped create modern enzymes that led to the development of products ranging from detergents to animal feeds. Significant investments were made in biofuels and biomaterials. Recent advances in gene editing, artificial intelligence and other technologies are furthering the development of biomaterials.

Biomaterials have applications across a range of industries – apparel, electronics, automotives, FMCG, packaging etc.

Take the case of buildings. Buildings account for 40 per cent of global energy demand and a third of all greenhouse gas emissions. Several biomaterials can be used in buildings — self-healing concrete, chipboard made of food waste, and mycelium insulation.

Biomaterials can significantly improve the sustainability of supply chains and products. They have the potential to reduce carbon footprints and improve biodegradability or recyclability of materials. They have the potential to help in reaching net zero targets.