Biodegradable Polymers: From Synthesis to the Market

Dear Colleagues,

In the last decades, worldwide consumption and applications of biodegradable materials have undoubtedly increased. At present, several different kinds of biodegradable polymers have been developed and introduced into the market with an estimation of a rising share in the next years. In fact, waste management concerns, recent legislative choices, and widened health and ecological consciousness will further extend the market of biodegradable polymers. Of particular interest is reducing or eliminating plastic waste through controlled landfilling and in the marine environment. At the moment, innovative research on biodegradable polymers can provide relevant support in different fields towards a sustainable future.
This Special Issue will focus on challenges and innovations related to the synthesis, characterization, processing, and degradation of biodegradable polymers and their applications to food packaging and biomedical or agricultural fields. The scope of this Issue can be expanded from the design to the manufacture, properties, and applications of biodegradable polymers, which would benefit both academia and industry. The Special Issue could stimulate a broad range of market-driven studies, leading to a significant advancement in this cutting-edge field.
Different synthesis procedures, characterization techniques or strategies, degradation studies, and material performances related to specific applications will be covered, and novel insights highlighted.
Reviews, mini-reviews, original articles, and short communications underlining the present and future of biodegradable polymers, dealing with design, characterization, technology development, and degradation features for different market applications are welcome.

Dr. Paola Rizzarelli
Guest Editor

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