A
bio-based material is a material intentionally made from substances derived from living (or once-living) organisms. These materials are sometimes referred to as
biomaterials, but this word also has another meaning. Strictly the definition could include many common materials such as
wood and
leather, but it typically refers to modern materials that have undergone more extensive processing. Unprocessed materials may be called
biotic material. Bio-based materials or biomaterials fall under the broader category of
bioproducts or bio-based products which includes materials, chemicals and energy derived from renewable biological resources.