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Polymers
Special Issues
Recyclable and Sustainable Polymers: Toward a Circular Economy
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Recyclable and Sustainable Polymers: Toward a Circular Economy

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: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 3281

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Shakila Parveen Asrafali

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Fiber System Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
Interests: polybenzoxazine; energy storage; bio polymers; surface modification; functional polymer; membranes; ring-opening polymers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The transition toward recyclable and sustainable polymers is a pivotal component in advancing the circular economy, aiming to address the environmental challenges posed by conventional plastics. Recent research has focused on innovative methods such as enzymatic depolymerization, chemical recycling, and advanced mechanical upcycling to enable closed-loop systems, where polymers are reused without significant degradation of properties. Studies have highlighted polylactic acid (PLA) and other bioplastics for their potential in creating biodegradable alternatives to traditional plastics, while others investigate the integration of renewable bioresources, such as natural fibers and waste-derived composites, for high-value applications. Key technological advancements also include the use of dynamic covalent chemistry, microbial degradation of engineering plastics, and enzymatic processes for breaking down complex polymers such as polycarbonates. Furthermore, life cycle assessment (LCA) and policy-driven frameworks are becoming crucial to ensuring that these solutions are truly sustainable and scalable. Collectively, these efforts illustrate a broad and multidisciplinary approach that merges material science, biotechnology, and industrial ecology to drive sustainable polymer production and recycling within the context of a circular economy.

Dr. Shakila Parveen Asrafali
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • sustainable polymers
  • bioplastics
  • renewable bioresources
  • natural fibers
  • waste-derived composites
  • microbial degradation of plastics 
  • life cycle assessment

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 2133 KB  
Article
Influence of Multiple Recycling Cycles on the Mechanical, Rheological and Thermal Behaviour of a Commercial Cellulose Acetate Blend
by Iman Taha and Lara Trussina-Miltz
Polymers 2026, 18(7), 858; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18070858 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 281
Abstract
In this study, the commercial biobased cellulose–acetate-based blend ARBOBLEND® 4655V was analysed with regard to its property changes after multiple mechanical recycling at three different processing temperatures (170 °C, 190 °C, and 210 °C). The results demonstrate that the material properties evolve [...] Read more.
In this study, the commercial biobased cellulose–acetate-based blend ARBOBLEND® 4655V was analysed with regard to its property changes after multiple mechanical recycling at three different processing temperatures (170 °C, 190 °C, and 210 °C). The results demonstrate that the material properties evolve in a distinct manner across the recycling cycles, depending on the processing temperature. While no relevant changes in the zero-shear viscosity, rheologically indicated average molecular weight, or thermal and mechanical properties were observed at 170 °C, moderate changes were observed at 190 °C, in particular an increase in the zero-shear viscosity and rheological indications of an increased average molecular weight, a broadening of the molecular weight distribution, and a change in crystallisation behaviour over the recycling passes. At 210 °C, a marked reduction in the zero-shear, rheological indications of a decreased average molecular weight, and a narrowing of the molecular weight distribution were observed. These rheology-based structural changes had an effect on the mechanical properties, such as the impact strength, the elongation at break, and the elongation at ultimate tensile stress, which were found to decrease with an increasing number of recycling passes. The study suggests that the processing temperature exerts a significant influence on the recycling behaviour of the cellulose–acetate-based blend ARBOBLEND® 4655V. It is evident that even minor fluctuations in temperature can result in substantial changes to the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of biopolymers. The findings underline the necessity of conducting recycling-related investigations with the processing temperature as a critical factor, particularly for temperature-sensitive materials such as cellulose–acetate-based compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recyclable and Sustainable Polymers: Toward a Circular Economy)
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44 pages, 9806 KB  
Article
Agro-Industrial Biowaste Valorisation by Engineering Controlled-Release Polyphenol Products for Applications in Sustainable Agriculture
by Fabrizio De Cesare, Simone Serrecchia, Gabriella Di Carlo, Cristina Riccucci, Gianmarco Alfieri, Andrea Bellincontro, Sarai Agustin-Salazar, Gabriella Santagata, Paolo Papa and Antonella Macagnano
Polymers 2026, 18(6), 715; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18060715 - 16 Mar 2026
Viewed by 883
Abstract
Electrospinning and electrospraying nanotechnologies were used to valorise agro-industrial residues into biohybrid controlled-release polyphenol (CRP) scaffolds. Four polyhydroxybutyrate ± polycaprolactone (PHB±PCL) architectures were fabricated that differed in polymer phase, Klason lignin from hazelnut shell (HS-KL) presence vs. absence, and co-location with grape-pomace polyphenols [...] Read more.
Electrospinning and electrospraying nanotechnologies were used to valorise agro-industrial residues into biohybrid controlled-release polyphenol (CRP) scaffolds. Four polyhydroxybutyrate ± polycaprolactone (PHB±PCL) architectures were fabricated that differed in polymer phase, Klason lignin from hazelnut shell (HS-KL) presence vs. absence, and co-location with grape-pomace polyphenols (GP-PPs), as well as in distribution between fibres and bead-like depots. Scaffolds were characterised using optical microscopy/stereomicroscopy/SEM, FTIR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and dynamic water contact angle (absorption). GP-PP release was monitored for 14 days at ~25 °C and 37 °C, the latter representing shallow-soil hot-spell conditions in Mediterranean zones. All matrices exhibited multimodal release, with modest initial bursts and three phases (burst, mid, and late tail), analogous to controlled-release fertiliser profiles. At ~25 °C, the PHB/PCL matrix with HS-KL confined to PHB fibres and GP-PP in large PCL beads showed the highest total GP-PP release, whereas the architecture with HS-KL and GP-PP co-located in both PHB and PCL fibres and in PCL depots combined high total release with a smoother, well-metered late phase. At 37 °C, this HS-KL-GP-PP co-located scaffold was the most robust, retaining the highest total and late tail release. These results identify HS-KL-GP-PP co-located PHB/PCL architectures as promising carriers for temperature-resilient delivery of bioactive polyphenols in Mediterranean agrosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recyclable and Sustainable Polymers: Toward a Circular Economy)
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Review

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31 pages, 3898 KB  
Review
Composite Polymeric Sucker Rod Guides: State-of-Practice, Causes of Failure, and Circular Economy Opportunities
by Chundu Gyem Tamang, Allan Manalo, Paulomi (Polly) Burey, Wahid Ferdous, Tristan Shelley, Mayur Patel and Tony Chapman
Polymers 2025, 17(21), 2932; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17212932 - 31 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1677
Abstract
The oil and gas industry generates substantial amounts of polymeric waste each year, including sucker rod guides manufactured from premium thermoplastics such as Polyphenylene Sulphide (PPS), Polyacrylamide (PAA), Polyamide (PA), and Polyether ether ketone (PEEK). It is estimated that, annually, approximately 18,600 metric [...] Read more.
The oil and gas industry generates substantial amounts of polymeric waste each year, including sucker rod guides manufactured from premium thermoplastics such as Polyphenylene Sulphide (PPS), Polyacrylamide (PAA), Polyamide (PA), and Polyether ether ketone (PEEK). It is estimated that, annually, approximately 18,600 metric tonnes of polymeric sucker rod guides are discarded worldwide, contributing significantly to landfill accumulation. This paper critically reviews the behaviour of polymeric rod guides when exposed to downhole environments where high temperature, pressure, contamination, and severe mechanical stresses act simultaneously. These components are essential in maintaining system reliability, yet research and development on polymeric rod guides remain limited, and investigations into their degradation and failure mechanisms are non-existent. In addition, there are currently no established approaches for recycling or reusing worn polymeric guides, which restricts progress toward sustainability and contributes to the increased accumulation of polymer waste in landfills. This review highlights these gaps and discusses future research directions that could improve the performance and service life of glass-fibre-reinforced polymeric components, while also creating opportunities for recycling and circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recyclable and Sustainable Polymers: Toward a Circular Economy)
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