Sustainable Polymers from Waste and Renewable Sources
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 58
Special Issue Editor
Interests: polymer composites; polymer recycling; biodegradable polymers; bio-based polymers; lignocellulosic fibers; nanocellulose reinforcement; circular economy; ceramic materials; sustainable materials
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The global challenges associated with climate change, plastic pollution, and the depletion of non-renewable resources have intensified the demand for sustainable solutions in the field of materials science. Polymers and polymer composites, traditionally derived from fossil-based feedstocks, play a central role in modern society due to their versatility, processability, and wide range of applications. However, the environmental concerns related to these materials have encouraged researchers and industries to seek greener alternatives that combine high performance with reduced ecological impact. Sustainable polymers and polymer composites derived from waste valorization and renewable sources are emerging as key contributors to this transition, offering pathways to circular economy practices, energy efficiency, and responsible consumption. Such materials not only address the urgent need to mitigate environmental problems but also open up new opportunities for technological innovation and industrial competitiveness in packaging, construction, transportation, biomedical applications, and beyond.
In this context, this Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in the design, processing, characterization, and application of sustainable polymers that contribute to circular economy strategies. Contributions are expected to cover topics such as polymer recycling, biodegradable and bio-based polymers, composites reinforced with lignocellulosic fibers and nanocellulose, and novel biopolymer blends tailored for enhanced performance. Studies addressing innovative processing techniques, lifecycle considerations, and scalable technologies that enable the transition toward sustainable polymer manufacturing are also welcome to be submitted to this Special Issue. By gathering interdisciplinary research, this Special Issue seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of current challenges and opportunities, promoting scientific and technological solutions for the development of eco-efficient materials
Dr. R. F. Mendes
Guest Editor
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. Polymers 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 2700 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
- polymer recycling
- biodegradable polymers
- bio-based polymers
- lignocellulosic fibers
- nanocellulose reinforcement
- polymer composites
- biopolymer blends
- sustainable polymer processing
- renewable feedstocks
- circular economy
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