Biodegradable and Bio-Based Polymers

Dear Colleagues,

Biodegradable polymers could be manufactured from renewable or fossil sources. On the other hand, the bio-based polymers could be either biodegradable or non-biodegradable. The use of non-biodegradable polymeric materials in daily life has increased dramatically in recent decades. Hence, there is a need of balancing the social, economic, and environmental aspects aimed at their further development in terms of the world economy. After disposal, a high level of plastic debris persists in the environment and generates several cumulative effects. Biodegradable polymer technologies are becoming particularly significant as a potential solution for waste management. Sugar-based macromolecules and aliphatic polyesters with biodegradable properties are some of the more important materials, which are synthesized using enzymatic and chemical methods. New opportunities for specific applications are related with the introduction of stimuli-responsive or bioactive properties to the biodegradable polymers. Evaluation of the relationships between structure, properties, and behavior, before, during, and after practical applications are needed in order to define and minimize the potential failure of novel biodegradable polymer products. Due to the wide range of their potential uses (e.g., in the field of medicine, compostable polymer packages, especially for long-shelf life products, such as cosmetics or household chemicals, as well as in agrochemical formulations) testing in simulated environments is needed before they are rolled out. Such an approach will help to design novel functional plastic materials and to avoid the failure of the commercial products manufactured from them.

In this Special Issue, we aim to present a contemporary overview of recent developments in the field of biodegradable and bio-based polymers. Reviews, full papers, and short communications, covering the aspects of the current trends in expansion of such polymeric materials are all welcome.

Prof. Dr. Marek M. Kowalczuk
Dr. Guozhan Jiang
Guest Editors

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