Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
9.7
4.9
Journals
Polymers
Special Issues
High-Value Polymer Materials from Waste Recovery and Recycling
polymers-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Polymers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

High-Value Polymer Materials from Waste Recovery and Recycling

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: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 3647

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Valentina Beghetto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre, Italy
Interests: waste recovery and recycling; waste upcycling; polymer and biopolymer production and processing; production of biocomposites; leather chemistry; high-value chemical production; green chemistry; circular economy; technology transfer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this Special Issue from the journal Polymers is to publish original research or review articles tackling the problem of waste during the production of high-value products, especially polymeric materials. According to the SDGs of Agenda 2030, it is of crucial importance to promote the development of new technologies for the upcycling of waste in order to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Papers discussing the latest research in this area or summarizing selected areas of this field are welcome. The scope of the Special Issue encompasses all innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions for the valorization of waste, such as the following:

  • The recovery, recycling, and reuse of waste as new starting material.
  • Alternative processes, including chemical recycling, for the valorization of petrochemical-derived waste materials.
  • Life cycle assessments and life cycle cost evaluation.
  • Innovation in the production chain and waste management.
  • Environmentally sustainable products and processes for upcycling polymeric waste.

Dr. Valentina Beghetto
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

  • waste upcycling
  • high-value products
  • circular economy
  • green chemistry
  • polymer recovery and recycling
  • life cycle assessment
  • value chains

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

19 pages, 4804 KiB  
Article
From Waste to Technological Products: Bioplastics Production from Proteins Extracted from the Black Soldier Fly
by Alessia Di Pasquale, Marina Zoccola, Ashish Mohod, Giulia Dalla Fontana, Anastasia Anceschi and Sara Dalle Vacche
Polymers 2025, 17(11), 1582; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17111582 - 5 Jun 2025
Viewed by 424
Abstract
The need to find sustainable solutions to conventional plastics has driven research into alternative materials, including bioplastics, which represent a promising option for reducing pollution and enhancing the value of renewable resources. In this study, bioplastics made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and proteins [...] Read more.
The need to find sustainable solutions to conventional plastics has driven research into alternative materials, including bioplastics, which represent a promising option for reducing pollution and enhancing the value of renewable resources. In this study, bioplastics made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and proteins extracted from the larvae of Black Soldier Fly (BSF), an insect capable of converting organic waste into high-value biomass, were produced and characterized. The proteins were obtained by hydrolysis of defatted BSF larvae with superheated water, avoiding harsh chemical reagents. Next, polymer films were fabricated by mixing PVA and hydrolyzed BSF proteins in different proportions and analyzed for morphological, physical-chemical, mechanical and biodegradability characteristics. The results obtained show that as the BSF protein content increases, the films show a reduction in thermal stability and mechanical properties, and also, they exhibit higher biodegradability, correlated with higher wettability, solubility and ability to absorb moisture. This research highlights the value of using organic waste-fed insects as a resource for bioplastic production, offering an alternative to traditional polymers and contributing to the transition to sustainable materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Value Polymer Materials from Waste Recovery and Recycling)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

19 pages, 1279 KiB  
Review
Waste Cooking Oils into High-Value Products: Where Is the Industry Going?
by Valentina Beghetto
Polymers 2025, 17(7), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17070887 - 26 Mar 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2945
Abstract
Waste cooking oils (WCOs) are generated globally in significant amounts by various sectors including hospitality, households, and industrial operations. Many nations currently lack dedicated legislation for managing WCOs, creating a pressing environmental challenge. At present, WCOs are primarily utilized in industries as raw [...] Read more.
Waste cooking oils (WCOs) are generated globally in significant amounts by various sectors including hospitality, households, and industrial operations. Many nations currently lack dedicated legislation for managing WCOs, creating a pressing environmental challenge. At present, WCOs are primarily utilized in industries as raw materials for biodiesel production and energy generation. However, their role in second-generation biodiesel production is contingent on availability, often necessitating imports of either biodiesel or WCOs from other countries. The European Union has emphasized the importance of prioritizing biowaste for high-value alternative products beyond biodiesel to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Many reviews have been published in the literature reporting potential WCO applications to produce biolubricants, biosolvents, animal feed, asphalt additives, among others, however, no detailed analysis of industrial trends has ever been presented. Within this panorama, unlike existing reviews that focus on specific polymer classes derived from WCOs, this work sought to present a comprehensive industrial overview of the use of WCOs in creating high-value polymeric materials beyond fuel and energy, providing a general overview of patents published (or alive) in the last 10 years, together with the analysis of which innovative products are being introduced and sold on the market today. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Value Polymer Materials from Waste Recovery and Recycling)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop