Novel Insights into Plastic Biodegradation and Biopolymer Manufacturing

Dear Colleagues,

Plastic pollution has become a challenge with far-reaching effects, impacting both the ecosystem and human health. In response, scientists have actively explored solutions to tackle this issue. Their focus lies in two interconnected fields: plastic biodegradation and the sustainable production of bioplastics. This Special Issue aims to showcase the advancements in these areas shedding light on cutting-edge research that contributes to an environmentally friendly and sustainable future.

1. Plastic Biodegradation: Unveiling Nature’s Strategies

Understanding how plastic biodegrades is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate pollution. Researchers have been studying communities for breaking down various types of plastics including polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene. The articles featured in this Special Issue will highlight studies that delve into the processes and genetic foundations of plastic degradation. These findings provide insights into how these microorganisms can be used in bioremediation efforts.

2. Bioplastics Production: From Idea to Application

Bioplastics have gained attention as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. This Special Issue will present groundbreaking research on the production of bioplastics.

The upcoming edition will delve into cutting-edge methods of manufacturing, such as fermentation and the synthesis of biobased polymers. It will also examine the thermal and biodegradable characteristics of the resulting bioplastics. Additionally, we will thoroughly assess the environmental viability of producing bioplastics on a large scale.

Dr. Nadia A. Samak
Prof. Dr. Chunzhao Liu
Guest Editors

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.