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Journals / Yekarum / 2025 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2

The Material of a Sustainable Future in the Fashion Industry: Starch-Based Bioplastics

Moda Endüstrisinde Sürdürülebilir Geleceğin Malzemesi: Nişasta Bazlı Biyoplastikler

Hülya Arabacı
Kenan Saatçioğlu(ÇANAKKALE ONSEKİZ MART ÜNİVERSİTESİ)
Journal
Yekarum
Pages
161–181
Publication Date
2025-12-16
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This study demonstrates the potential of starch-based bioplastics as a sustainable material solution in fashion, aligning with circular economy principles.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Global plastic production has rapidly increased in recent years, reaching approximately 370–393 million tons annually, with fossil-based plastics contributing significantly to carbon emissions and microplastic pollution, posing serious sustainability challenges.
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Key Findings & Data:Life cycle assessments indicate that these materials can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50–80% and energy consumption by 20–60% compared to conventional plastics.
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Conclusion & Impact:This study demonstrates the potential of starch-based bioplastics as a sustainable material solution in fashion, aligning with circular economy principles.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Nişasta bazlı biyoplastikler · Sürdürülebilir moda · Döngüsel ekonomi

Abstract

Global plastic production has rapidly increased in recent years, reaching approximately 370–393 million tons annually, with fossil-based plastics contributing significantly to carbon emissions and microplastic pollution, posing serious sustainability challenges. In this context, starch-based bioplastics, derived from renewable sources and characterized by biodegradability, offer environmentally friendly alternatives for the fashion industry. Starch, obtained from corn, potato, and cassava, can be enhanced with suitable additives, nanofillers, and plasticizers to improve mechanical strength, flexibility, and water resistance. Life cycle assessments indicate that these materials can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50–80% and energy consumption by 20–60% compared to conventional plastics. In fashion applications, including vegan leather, accessories, packaging, and coatings, starch-based bioplastics provide environmental benefits through compostability within 2–6 weeks. However, limitations such as moisture sensitivity, long-term durability, and industrial scalability highlight the need for further research and development. This study demonstrates the potential of starch-based bioplastics as a sustainable material solution in fashion, aligning with circular economy principles.

Özet

Küresel plastik üretimi son yıllarda hızla artarak yılda yaklaşık 370–393 milyon tona ulaşmış ve fosil yakıt temelli plastiklerin yol açtığı karbon emisyonları ile mikroplastik kirliliği çevresel sürdürülebilirlik açısından ciddi bir tehdit oluşturmuştur. Bu bağlamda, yenilenebilir kaynaklardan elde edilen ve biyolojik olarak parçalanabilir özellikleriyle öne çıkan nişasta bazlı biyoplastikler, moda endüstrisi için çevre dostu alternatifler sunmaktadır. Nişasta, mısır, patates ve manyok gibi kaynaklardan temin edilebilmekte; uygun katkı maddeleri, nanodoldurucular ve plastifiyanlarla mekanik dayanım, esneklik ve su direnci artırılabilmektedir. Yaşam döngüsü analizleri, bu malzemelerin sera gazı emisyonlarını geleneksel plastiklere kıyasla %50–80, enerji kullanımını %20–60 oranında azaltabildiğini göstermektedir. Moda sektöründe vegan deri, aksesuar, ambalaj ve kaplama uygulamalarında kullanılabilen nişasta bazlı biyoplastikler, 2–6 hafta içinde kompostlanabilirlikleri sayesinde çevresel avantajlar sağlamaktadır. Öte yandan, nem duyarlılığı, uzun süreli dayanıklılık ve endüstriyel ölçeklenebilirlik gibi sınırlamalar, ileri araştırma ve geliştirme çalışmalarını gerekli kılmaktadır. Bu çalışma, nişasta bazlı biyoplastiklerin sürdürülebilir moda üretiminde döngüsel ekonomi ilkeleri çerçevesinde uygulanabilir bir malzeme çözümü olarak potansiyelini ortaya koymaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Arabacı, H., Saatçioğlu, K. (2025). The Material of a Sustainable Future in the Fashion Industry: Starch-Based Bioplastics. Yekarum, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2, 161–181. https://doi.org/10.71208/yekarum.1818406

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