---
type: "WebPage"
title: "Laboratory analysis of bio-based polymers"
description: "You want to carry out an analysis of bio-based polymers Bio-based polymers A bio-based polymer is a polymeric material all or part of whose components come from renewable resources, such as plant, animal or microbial biomass. Unlike traditional petroleum-based polymers,..."
resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/analysis-bio-based-polymers/"
tags: ["EN", "pll_6748931b91673"]
timestamp: "2026-04-23T14:31:57Z"
published: "2024-11-29T08:57:55Z"
language: "en"
author: "Laure Durieux"
---

# Laboratory analysis of bio-based polymers

## You want to carry out an analysis of bio-based polymers

### Bio-based polymers

A **bio-based polymer** is a [polymeric material](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory.md) all or part of whose components come from renewable resources, such as plant, animal or microbial biomass. Unlike traditional petroleum-based polymers, bio-based polymers are more environmentally friendly by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

### Main characteristics of bio-based polymers

Bio-based polymers have many characteristics :

  **Renewable origin** : the raw materials used in their manufacture include sugars, starch (maize, wheat, potato), vegetable oils (rapeseed, soya), proteins and lignin from wood. **A wide range of applications** : bio-based polymers have a wide range of applications in sectors such as [packaging](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/analysis-packaging-polymer-packaging.md) (PLA films and trays), [automotive](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-automobile.md) (lightweight bio-polyamide parts), [cosmetics](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity/laboratory-analysis-cosmetics.md) and medical (bottles, biodegradable devices and hydrocolloid materials). **Performance close to or equivalent to that of conventional polymers**:although they are bio-based, their [mechanical](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test.md), [thermal](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-characterization/laboratory-analysis-thermal-thermogravimetric/) and[chemical](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory.md) properties can be adapted to specific industrial needs..
## The emergence of bio-based polymers

Faced with environmental challenges and the transition to more sustainable materials, bio-based polymers are emerging as an essential alternative to petroleum-based polymers. Used in a wide range of industrial sectors, these materials offer technical performance while reducing their carbon footprint.

 ![carbone 14](https://filab.fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/biosource-1024x576.png)
## The FILAB laboratory carries out analysis of bio-based polymers

### Why choose FILAB for the analysis of bio-based polymers ?

The FILAB laboratory has the experience and specific [analytical equipment](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources.md) to support [manufacturers in all sectors](https://filab.fr/en/sectors-of-activity.md) in the characterisation and analysis of bio-based polymers. FILAB can help you with the physico-chemical [characterization](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-testing/laboratory-polymer-characterization/) of biobased materials (biobased plastics, paper and cardboard, solvents, [lubricants](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-analysis-industrial-oils-grease-lubricants.md) and other industrial chemicals). ).

FILAB offers you a combination of [analytical techniques](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/our-polymer-testing-equipment/) for analysing bio-based polymers by studying their properties and chemical composition.

## our r&d services in bio-sourced polymers

Development of tailor-made bio-based polymer formulations

Compatibility and substitution studies

[Verifying and validating the bio-sourced origin of a product](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/rd/verifying-and-validating-the-biobased-origin-of-a-product.md)

Improving the properties of materials: strength, durability, biodegradability

Optimising manufacturing processes

### Our technical resources and analyses of bio-based polymers

Analysis of [chemical composition](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory.md) by [GC/MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-gcms.md), [HPLC](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-uplc.md), [FTIR](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-ftir-spectroscopy.md)

Analysis of mechanical properties [(tensile test](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test/tensile-test-materials-laboratory.md), [compression test](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test/compression-and-mechanical-laboratory-tests.md), [bending test](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test/laboratory-bending-tests.md)), [DMA](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/dma-analysis-laboratory.md) analysis

[Thermal analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-characterization/laboratory-analysis-thermal-thermogravimetric/) by [TGA](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/tga-tga-ftir-and-tga-ms-analysis-at-filab-laboratory.md), [DSC](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-dsc-calorimetric.md)

[Particle size analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-granulometric-analysis/laboratory-particle-size-measurement.md) by [Laser Granulometry](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-laser-granulometry.md), [sieving](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/sieve-analysis-laboratory.md)

Global migration test between the bio-based polymer and its content

Morphology study ([porosity](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/porosity-analysis-by-mercury-porosimetry-poro-hg.md))

Molecular structure analysis using [NMR](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-nmr.md) and [X-ray fluorescence](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/x-ray-fluorescence-analysis-laboratory-xrf.md)

Research and quantification of contaminants ([residual solvents](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/voc-analysis-laboratory.md), [heavy metals](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-analysis-heavy-metal.md), [phthalate](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/analysis-and-determination-of-phthalates-in-the-laboratory.md), [bisphenol A](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-determination-contents-bisphenol-a.md), etc.) by GC-MS and [ICP-MS](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-icp-icp-ms-icp-aes.md)

[Accelerated ageing tests](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-material-characterization/filab-accelerated-ageing-test-laboratory/)

Determining the state of the bio-based polymer (amorphous, semi-crystalline, crystalline)

Determining the [cross-linking](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/measurement-of-the-cross-linking-rate-of-a-polymer.md) rate of bio-based polymer

[Characterization of surface defects and adhesion problems](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization.md)

## Analytical & Consulting Solutions to Optimize Your Environmental Impact

FILAB supports industrial players in their Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) processes. By leveraging our expertise in chemistry and materials, we help you [identify and implement high-impact environmental optimizations](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/industrial-sustainability-transition.md).

- **Select the right materials** from the design phase
- **Reduce** your product's environmental footprint
- **Optimize production chains** to lower environmental impact
- **Transform waste** into valuable resources

 [Discover our solution](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/industrial-sustainability-transition.md)
## FAQ

 What are bio-based polymers ?
- **PLA (Polylactic Acid)** : derived from the fermentation of sugars, used in packaging and textiles.
- **PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates)**: produced by bacteria, used in medical devices and packaging.
  Bio-PE (Biosourced polyethylene): made from sugar cane, they are identical to conventional PE in terms of structure.
- **Bio-sourced polyamides** (PA 6.10 or PA 11): used in the automotive and aerospace industries.

 What are the advantages of bio-based polymers ?
Bio-based polymers help to significantly reduce our carbon footprint, as they are manufactured from renewable resources. They also help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, thereby contributing to a more sustainable energy transition. Finally, their development offers new economic opportunities for the agricultural sector, by adding value to raw materials such as sugars, starch and vegetable oils.

 The limits and challenges of bio-based polymers
Bio-based polymers still present a number of challenges. Their production costs are sometimes higher than those of petroleum-based polymers, which can slow down their widespread adoption. In addition, the availability of raw materials and the sustainable management of the resources used remain crucial issues in guaranteeing their viability. Finally, their technical performance may, in some cases, be inferior to that of conventional polymers, limiting their use in demanding applications.

 What is the difference between bioplastics and bio-based polymers ?
A bio-sourced material is not necessarily a [bioplastic](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/polymer-materials-analysis-laboratory/bioplastics-analysis-laboratory.md), and a bioplastic is not necessarily biosourced. The two concepts meet different environmental objectives: one aims to reduce dependence on fossil resources (bio-based polymers), while the other seeks to limit the impact of plastic waste (bioplastics).