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Materials
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Recent Developments in Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastics
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Recent Developments in Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastics

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2026 | Viewed by 1063

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Chaoying Wan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
International Institute for Nanocomposites Manufacturing (IINM), WMG, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
Interests: polymer; nanocomposites; reactive processing; degradation; functionality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Paresh Kumar Samantaray

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville, 301 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35899, USA
Interests: compostable blends; polymer nanocomposites; plastics packaging materials; polymeric and hybrid separation membranes; composites for space applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Due to the ever-growing need for sustainable materials and eco-friendly solutions, this Special Issue will highlight the latest advancements, innovative research, and emerging trends in the field of bio-based and biodegradable plastics.

We invite researchers, scientists, and industry experts to contribute original research articles, reviews, and case studies that explore the development, application, and potential of these materials. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, novel bio-based polymers, biodegradable plastics, environmental impact assessments of biodegradable polymers, recycling and waste management strategies associated with bioplastics, and commercial applications.

By bringing together cutting-edge research and insights from leading experts, this Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of bio-based and biodegradable plastics. Your valuable contributions will fuel the development of sustainable materials and promote a greener future.

We appreciate your participation and encourage you to submit your manuscripts by the above deadline. 

Prof. Dr. Chaoying Wan
Dr. Paresh Kumar Samantaray
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bio-based polymers
  • biodegradable plastics
  • compostable polymers
  • bioplastics
  • biopolyesters
  • polylactides
  • polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)
  • cellulosic materials

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

46 pages, 3900 KB  
Review
Beyond Packaging: A Perspective on the Emerging Applications of Biodegradable Polymers in Electronics, Sensors, Actuators, and Healthcare
by Reshma Kailas Kumar, Chaoying Wan and Paresh Kumar Samantaray
Materials 2025, 18(19), 4485; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18194485 - 26 Sep 2025
Viewed by 781
Abstract
Biopolymers have emerged as a transformative class of materials that reconcile high-performance functionality with environmental stewardship. Their inherent capacity for controlled degradation and biocompatibility has driven rapid advancements across electronics, sensing, actuation, and healthcare. In flexible electronics, these polymers serve as substrates, dielectrics, [...] Read more.
Biopolymers have emerged as a transformative class of materials that reconcile high-performance functionality with environmental stewardship. Their inherent capacity for controlled degradation and biocompatibility has driven rapid advancements across electronics, sensing, actuation, and healthcare. In flexible electronics, these polymers serve as substrates, dielectrics, and conductive composites that enable transient devices, reducing electronic waste without compromising electrical performance. Within sensing and actuation, biodegradable polymer matrices facilitate the development of fully resorbable biosensors and soft actuators. These systems harness tailored degradation kinetics to achieve temporal control over signal transduction and mechanical response, unlocking applications in in vivo monitoring and on-demand drug delivery. In healthcare, biodegradable polymers underpin novel approaches in tissue engineering, wound healing, and bioresorbable implants. Their tunable chemical architectures and processing versatility allow for precise regulation of mechanical properties, degradation rates, and therapeutic payloads, fostering seamless integration with biological environments. The convergence of these emerging applications underscores the pivotal role of biodegradable polymers in advancing sustainable technology and personalized medicine. Continued interdisciplinary research into polymer design, processing strategies, and integration techniques will accelerate commercialization and broaden the impact of these lower eCO2 value materials across diverse sectors. This perspective article comments on the innovation in these sectors that go beyond the applications of biodegradable materials in packaging applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastics)
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