Natural and Synthetic Polymers-Hopes and Fears in an Era of Ecological Modernization

Dear Colleagues,

The almost unlimited use of plastics in recent decades caused environmental pollution, which in turn significantly affects people's lives. Despite systematic changes aimed at reducing the emission of plastic materials to the environment, their amount in the natural environment remains almost constant. Therefore, innovative methods contributing to the development of new polymers, as well as the degradation of plastic materials are desired.

Meeting the dynamic changes in the field of ecology, new polymer materials that are characterized by a low negative impact on the natural environment are sought after. Sustainable natural-based polymers are in the spotlight of scientists around the world; polymers extracted from biomass, polymers synthesized by microorganisms, as well as new polymers synthesized using bio-based compounds, show great potential as ‘environmentally friendly’ materials that can be used in the food industry, papermaking, textiles, packaging materials, and others.

This Special Issue of Polymers will focus on the production, characteristics, and use of natural-based and synthetic polymeric materials, which may be less harmful to the natural environment. This Special Issue is also devoted to novel strategies for the (bio)degradation of polymeric materials. We would like to invite researchers to submit both research and review articles to this Special Issue of Polymers.

Dr. Hubert Antolak
Dr. Anna Koziróg
Dr. Katarzyna Dybka-Stępień
Guest Editors