Right now, the body is no place for bio-based polymers. But that doesn't mean the industry should ignore starch-based polymer systems. That is the conclusion I reached after attending a lecture during MD&M West. There are myriad opportunities to incorporate polymers with a smaller ecological footprint. Shriram Bagrodia of Cereplast gave the lecture. He spoke about using starch-based polymers in single-use devices and in devices that are used outside the body. Particularly he discussed the development of hybrid plastics, such as his company's proprietary biopropylene. Much like hybrid cars, these plastics have the desired characteristics of regular plastics, but they also have aspects that make them more efficient. For example, the biopropylene is a blend of polypropylene, starch, what Bagrodia terms a compatibilizer for the starch and PP, and a blend of plasticizers. More than 50% of the product is derived from natural and renewable sources. This means that the plastic has a more stable price than polypropylene, and it also has higher durability than starch-only materials. It is a step in the right direction. The next hurdle: Getting companies to switch out their existing polymers for these biopolymers where appropriate. I think the best way to start is to encourage companies to design new products with these materials in mind. It will be a less-burdensome route (at this point) than trying to replace the materials in existing products. One interesting factoid: replacing traditional plastics with starch based polymers means reducing the carbon cycle from 10 million years to only 90--180 days. No contest.