Utilisation of Marine Green Algae for Development of Bioplastics: Challenges and Future Prospects

Plastics are a tricky material affecting the environment, economy, and social well-being. Recently, plastic has been distributed in every corner of the world and it has become a danger to human life and other living beings in various ways. Hence, bioplastics is identified as a possible solution to combat with strongly established conventional petroleum-based plastic sector. Out of various types of bioplastics, marine green algae-based bioplastic production and supply chain were identified as green technology to support the circular economy in a sustainable way. On the other hand, marine algae cultivation, production and use as raw materials for plastic production contribute to blue bioeconomy. This chapter provides insightful overview about types of marine green algae, their abundance & distribution, technological aspects of biopolymer extraction from marine algae, algae-derived bioplastic production & applications, advantages & disadvantages, challenges, and future forecasts. The marine algae-based bioplastics are biodegradable and compostable, hence environment-friendly. Therefore, the bioplastic-based industries will be supportable in the future. As a raw material, marine green algae cultivation will be more profitable to the rural communities while helping to carbon sequestration and reducing global warming.