Light and shadow of a unique class of materials
Plastics meet the most complex requirements flexibly, efficiently, and durably. They guarantee our quality of life, protect nature and the environment, and help to effectively mitigate climate change and its consequences. Plastics are true all-rounders. It is no coincidence that nature itself has been using the design principle of plastics since the dawn of life: as biopolymers, they are found in countless forms and perform a wide variety of tasks in all living organisms. Biopolymers have never caused an environmental problem: nature knows perfectly well how to break down and recycle its biopolymers.
Like nature’s biopolymers, synthetic plastics combine outstanding property profiles with extremely low weight, maximum design freedom, and countless functionalities. In addition, they have long been available at low prices. This has enabled them to become an indispensable material base in almost all areas of human activity.
However, in our enthusiasm for plastics, we humans have perfected the formulas and processing techniques, but for a long time neglected the question of what happens to the material when its useful life is over. Today, it is the highly durable plastic waste that has been carelessly dumped into nature in enormous quantities over decades that is largely responsible for the critical view of plastics. “Simple” conclusions, such as calls for a complete ban on plastics, are extremely risky, however understandable they may seem at first glance.
