Bioplastics, also called biopolymers, can be divided into two categories: degradable and non-degradable bioplastics. The raw material base for the degradable type is either bio-based, i.e. from renewable resources, or petro-based, i.e. from petroleum. In contrast, the non-degradable ones are durable plastics, which must be fully or partially bio-based in order to be classified as bioplastics. Currently, the bio-based content of the material is mostly determined by the bio-based carbon. There is, however, no minimum value for the bio-based material components for bioplastics. The term "bioplastics" is not legally protected, which is why it is not used uniformly.

Examples of bio-based plastics include BioPE, BioPET, cellulose acetate and PLA.
The starting materials for bio-based plastics include, for example, starch from corn, sugar from sugar cane and sugar beet, vegetable oils such as castor oil, cellulose from cotton or wood.