From Agricultural Residue to Building Material: A Review of Bioplastic Applications in Construction

Abstract

Construction is the second-largest consumer of plastic in the world after packaging, and almost all of that plastic is petroleum-based, non-degradable, and produced for buildings that will outlast it. This review paper synthesises current research on the use of bioplastic within the construction industry, drawing on published studies of waste-derived polymers and their behaviour in building applications. The review compiles findings on bioplastics produced from organic waste streams — potato skin, fruit residues, rice straw, and jute fibre — and evaluates their reported performance against the requirements of seven construction application areas: erosion-control geotextiles, thermal insulation, composite panel boards, fibre reinforcement for cement and concrete, moisture barriers and films, drainage piping under no pressure load, and short-term site materials. For each category, the review draws together evidence from the recent literature comparing candidate bioplastics with the petroleum plastic they would substitute, using four selection criteria that drive real-world specification: mechanical behaviour, durability under exposure, cradle-to-gate carbon impact, and price. The collected evidence supports a nuanced rather than uniform verdict. Reviewed studies indicate that for applications involving short service life or contact with soil geotextiles being the clearest example, alongside temporary site barriers bioplastic already makes good engineering sense. Insulation panels and partition boards show strong potential pending further work, while structural roles and pressurised pipework sit outside what current bio-based materials can handle. The paper concludes by consolidating the research gaps identified across the reviewed literature, pointing to the questions that must be addressed before wider industrial adoption becomes feasible.