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01 Biomass
Annual agricultural production, and what it leaves behind
Product to market
Processing waste
* Dairy figures are reported on a wet / live-weight basis while most plant feedstocks are reported as dry matter, so dairy tonnages are not directly comparable with the rest of this chart. Feedstocks with no published production figure are omitted here. All tonnages are US short tons (2,000 lb).
From biomass to biopolymer families
Σ Family figures are the arithmetic sum of independent maxima drawn from separate studies, each measuring a different fraction under its own extraction route. Those routes compete for the same biomass, so no feedstock yields all of its molecules at once and the figures are not simultaneously obtainable. Read them as an indication of relative scale, not as a recoverable quantity. See methodology §4.1. All tonnages are US short tons (2,000 lb).
Waste per feedstock, split by biopolymer
* Dairy is reported on a wet / live-weight basis, unlike the dry-matter plant feedstocks — treat its share of the total with care. Two entries carry no quantified yield (dairy casein, tomato cutin) and are excluded from the bands. The mapped fraction is deliberately narrow: molecules with a demonstrated route into a biomaterial, not the full biochemical composition of the stream. Σ Each band is an independent maximum from its own study, and the extraction routes compete for the same biomass, so the bands are not simultaneously obtainable and the mapped share is an upper bound rather than a recoverable fraction — see methodology §4.1. All tonnages are US short tons (2,000 lb).
Treemap of total potentially available biopolymers in local biomass waste
Σ Tile sizes are sums of independent maxima from separate studies, each measuring a different fraction under its own extraction route. Those routes compete for the same biomass, so the figures are not simultaneously obtainable and no total for the chart is given. Read the tiles as relative scale only — see methodology §4.1. * Includes dairy, reported on a wet / live-weight basis. Molecules whose tile would be smaller than a few pixels are listed below the treemap rather than drawn. Two entries — dairy casein and tomato cutin — are present but unquantified, so they carry no tonnage here. All tonnages are US short tons (2,000 lb).
Molecular composition & concentration by biomass waste
02 Applications & Properties of biopolymers from Great Michigan
Relevant biopolymer properties for material applications
Biomass source
Application
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19 of 19
Click a molecule for details
Biobased materials developed for the Seeding Biomaterials project
RECIPE 1
PEC2%
Pectin Film
Single Layer Film
30 minutes
| Tools needed | Hotplate with magnetic stirrer, beaker, pH meter, casting tray / silicone molds, dehydrator |
|---|---|
| Packaging properties | Semi-transparent to translucent with low surface gloss; high tensile flexibility with moderate tear resistance; excellent oxygen barrier, moisture sensitive. Best for dry food wraps, inner confectionery liners, heat-sealable bio-pouches. |
| Ingredients | Pectin — 20.0 gFiltered water — 400 mLGlycerol (plasticizer) — 3.2 gPotassium sorbate (antifungal) — 0.5 g |
| Processing | 1 · Heating & hydration. Heat 400 mL water to 70–80°C. Slowly add 20.0 g Pectin under continuous stirring (1000 rpm) to avoid clumping until fully dissolved (15–20 min).2 · Plasticizer incorporation. Add 3.2 g Glycerol directly to the clear pectin solution and stir for 10–15 min at temperature.3 · Antifungal addition. Add 0.5 g Potassium Sorbate to the warm solution (70–80°C) and stir for 5 min. Verify pH is below 6.0.4 · Degassing & casting. Allow solution to rest at 40°C to release air bubbles. Cast into Teflon or silicone molds. |
| Drying | Dehydrator at 35°C for 8 h, followed by ambient drying at 25°C. |
RECIPE 2
MC2%:CMC2%
Thick Clear MC-CMC Film
Co-Polymer Film
3 hours
| Tools needed | Hotplate, magnetic stirrer, refrigerator (4°C), level casting mold |
|---|---|
| Packaging properties | High optical transparency, glossy finish; high tensile modulus, durable playing-card flexibility. Superior barrier against oxygen, oils, and non-polar solvents. Best for clear display windows in cartons, sachets, oil-resistant wraps. |
| Ingredients | Methylcellulose (MC) — 8.0 gCarboxymethylcellulose (CMC) — 8.0 gDistilled water — 400 mL (150 mL hot at 80°C / 250 mL ice-cold)Glycerol (plasticizer) — 6.0 gPotassium sorbate (antifungal) — 1.0 g |
| Processing | 1 · Hot MC dispersion. Heat 150 mL water to 80°C and dissolve 1.0 g Potassium Sorbate. Scatter 8.0 g MC powder under stirring (600 rpm).2 · Cold hydration. Dissolve 8.0 g CMC and 6.0 g Glycerol into 250 mL ice-cold water.3 · Matrix blending & cold rest. Combine both solutions, reduce speed to 300 rpm, and refrigerate at 4°C for 2–4 h until a clear gel forms.4 · Casting. Pour the room-temperature gel into molds to a wet depth of 5–6 mm. |
| Drying | Oven-dry at 50–60°C for 24 h to thermally lock the MC gel structure. |
RECIPE 3
GelatinCEL
Gelatin + Cellulose Composite
Flexible Cardboard Composite
55 minutes
| Tools needed | Beaker, hotplate, overhead dough mixer, rolling pin, curing oven |
|---|---|
| Packaging properties | Dense matte white, smooth finish, leatherboard feel; exceptional puncture strength, high fold endurance, flexible structural card profile. Moderate grease resistance. Best for rigid bio-cardboard cartons, bookbinding covers, heavy protective sleeves. |
| Ingredients | Gelatin (Pork 240 Bloom or Beef 220 Bloom) — 40.0 gJelucel HM 200 pure cellulose (filler) — 40.0 gFiltered water — 400 mLGlycerol (plasticizer) — 16.0 gPotassium sorbate (antifungal) — 0.5 g |
| Processing | 1 · Blooming & cook. Bloom 40.0 g Gelatin and 0.5 g Potassium Sorbate in 400 mL water for 30 min. Heat to 60°C to fully dissolve.2 · Plasticization. Add 16.0 g Glycerol and stir for 3 min.3 · Cellulose kneading. Turn off heat. Add 40.0 g Jelucel HM 200 powder and knead with an overhead mixer for 4 min until a paste forms.4 · Mold compacting. Pack into molds, cover with parchment paper, and roll flat to 5–6 mm wet thickness. |
| Drying | Oven-dry at 45–50°C for 36 h under a flat weight during final 8 h. |
RECIPE 4
Whey
Whey Protein Isolate Film
Single Layer Protein Film
40 minutes
| Tools needed | Cold water beaker, magnetic hotplate, temperature probe, casting molds |
|---|---|
| Packaging properties | Semi-transparent to clear, smooth surface; good tensile strength, moderate flexibility, heat-sealable potential. Superior oxygen barrier, low lipid permeability. Best for single-serve food sachets, edible coatings, dry food pouches. |
| Ingredients | Whey protein isolate (WPI >90%) — 40.0 gDistilled water — 400 mLGlycerol (plasticizer) — 12.0 gPotassium sorbate (antifungal) — 0.5 g |
| Processing | 1 · Cold solubilization. Dissolve 0.5 g Potassium Sorbate in 400 mL cold water. Create a deep vortex (400 rpm) and slowly sprinkle 40.0 g WPI. Stir cold for 15 min to dissolve without threads.2 · Thermal denaturation. Heat to 75–80°C and maintain for 20 min while stirring to uncoil proteins.3 · Plasticization. Stir in 12.0 g Glycerol and mix for 5 min.4 · Degassing. Rest at 45°C for 15 min. |
| Drying | Cast deep into molds (5–6 mm) and oven-dry at 35–40°C for 24 h. |
RECIPE 5
WheyGEL
Whey Protein Isolate + Gelatin Blend Film
Co-Polymer Blend Film
50 minutes
| Tools needed | Beaker, magnetic stirrer hotplate, temperature probe, silicone casting molds, drying oven/dehydrator |
|---|---|
| Packaging properties | High optical clarity with a slight amber sheen, improved tensile toughness and puncture resistance compared to pure gelatin; superior oxygen barrier, low lipid permeability, heat-sealable potential. Best for clear edible wrappers, primary dry food sachets, and clear box window films. |
| Ingredients | Whey protein isolate (WPI >90%) — 20.0 gGelatin (Pork 240 Bloom or Beef 220 Bloom) — 20.0 gDistilled water — 400 mLGlycerol (plasticizer) — 12.0 gPotassium sorbate (antifungal) — 0.5 g |
| Processing | 1 · Cold hydration & blooming. Dissolve 0.5 g Potassium Sorbate and 20.0 g WPI into 400 mL cold water under active stirring (400 rpm) until completely dissolved. Evenly sprinkle 20.0 g Gelatin over the liquid surface and leave undisturbed for 30 min to bloom.2 · Thermal dissolution. Place beaker on hotplate and heat to 60–65°C while stirring continuously at 400 rpm for 15–20 min until the gelatin granules dissolve completely.3 · Plasticization & denaturation. Gently raise heat to 75°C for 10 min to unfold WPI chains. Stir in 12.0 g Glycerol and mix for 5 min until homogeneous.4 · Degassing. Rest the hot liquid quietly at 45°C for 15 min to allow trapped micro-bubbles to dissipate. |
| Drying | Cast into molds to a wet depth of 5–6 mm. Oven-dry at 35°C for 24 h or ambient dry at room temperature (23°C) until non-tacky. |
RECIPE 6
CMC
Single-Polymer Carboxymethylcellulose Film
Single Layer Hydrocolloid Film
30 minutes
| Tools needed | Beaker, magnetic stirrer, casting tray, dehydrator |
|---|---|
| Packaging properties | High transparency, soft tactile flexibility, excellent film uniformity; highly elastic, easy peeling. Superior oxygen barrier, highly water-soluble. Best for water-soluble packaging sachets, detergent pods, edible food wraps. |
| Ingredients | Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) — 4.0 gFiltered water — 400 mLGlycerol (plasticizer) — 4.0 gPotassium sorbate (antifungal) — 0.5 g |
| Processing | 1 · Hydration. Dissolve 0.5 g Potassium Sorbate in 400 mL water. Sprinkle 4.0 g CMC powder under active stirring (500 rpm) for 20 min.2 · Plasticization. Stir in 4.0 g Glycerol and blend for 5 min.3 · Degassing. Rest for 15 min to allow air bubbles to dissipate. |
| Drying | Pour into molds. Dry in a dehydrator at 35°C for 8 h or air dry. |
03 Educational Resources
Materials from Materiom Commons library
Apple-Pectin Leather
Alicia Valdés
Ingredients
Apple pectin, glycerol, water
View recipe →
Gelatin-Methylcellulose Bioplastic
Charlene Smith & Pilar Bolumburu
Ingredients
Gelatin, methylcellulose, glycerol, water
View recipe →
Starch-Methylcellulose Bioplastic
Charlene Smith & Pilar Bolumburu
Ingredients
Potato starch, methylcellulose, glycerol, vinegar, water
View recipe →
Eggshell Paste
Fiona Bell
Ingredients
Ground eggshells, methylcellulose, xanthan gum, water
View recipe →
Leaf Bio-Paste
Fiona Bell
Ingredients
Fallen tree leaves, eggshells, methylcellulose, xanthan gum, vegetable oil, water
View recipe →
Cherry Pit & Agar Composite
FabLab U. de Chile
Ingredients
Cherry pit, agar agar, glycerol, calcium propionate, water
View recipe →
Foamy Bioplastic
Sanskriti
Ingredients
Gelatin, onion skin, glycerol, vinegar, sodium bicarbonate, water
View recipe →
Caseine-based bioresin
Petra Anthea
Ingredients
Skimmed milk, apple vinegar, pure baking soda, glycerol, tannic solution, calcium carbonate
View recipe →
Gelatin bioplastic
FabTextiles & Clara Davis
Ingredients
Gelatin, water, glycerol
View recipe →
Masterclasses and other educational resources
Course
CiD Innovation Alliance — Flipped Classroom: Biobased Innovation
Session by IAAC and Materiom. Chapter 1 introduces bio-based innovation and the challenges and opportunities in the field. Chapter 2 elaborates on feedstock sourcing and material development. Chapter 3 focuses on fabrication and novel methodologies. Chapter 4 provides a summary of the case study Urban Cascade.
Masterclass
REFLOW EU — Masterclass #1: Biomaterials, a key ingredient for a circular and regenerative economy
Delivered by Materiom as part of the REFLOW Academy.
Report
Regenerative Materials (Wege) — ‘Biomaterials and Regenerative Agriculture: A Methodological Framework to Enable Circular Transitions’
Academic paper
“Environmental safety of second and third generation bioplastics in the context of the circular economy”
04 Seeding Biomaterials Project Partners

Materiom
A non-profit using open data and AI to accelerate bio-based, plastic-alternative materials, drawing on a global commons of ~40,000 formulations.
materiom.org →

Wege Foundation
A West Michigan philanthropic foundation advancing economicology — the balance of economy and ecology — and funding the Seeding Biomaterials initiative.
wegefoundation.com →

Michigan Sustainable Business Forum
A member network connecting Michigan businesses around the circular economy, linking the toolkit to regional producers, brands, and value chains.
misbf.org →



