Biodegradable polymers are called biopolymers. Nowadays, either renewable or synthetic materials can be used to produce biodegradable polymers. The worldwide interest in renewable resources, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and a more efficient and effective waste management has spurred more studies and research on biopolymers. Together with their sustainable availability, biopolymers show several economic and environment benefits. Nonetheless, biopolymers development should take into account relevant environment impacts connected to the product life-cycle, raw materials availability, the agricultural use of fertilizers and pesticides, transportation, use, and waste disposal. Consequently, to provide options for several biopolymers applications, a coordinated industrial program for development with significant investments on strategic research is required to support new possible applications, on a large packing, and medical supplies to automotive and environment industries.
All over the world, year after year synthetic plastics are being increasingly consumed,
raising bigger concerns about the consequences of synthetic polymers´ impact on the
environment. Thus, a wide application of biopolymers has been suggested to replace the
synthetic ones. This book discusses state-of-the-art trends on biopolymers´ application
on food, medical, and automotive industry as well as some of their characteristics, and
biodegradation or enzymatic degradation processes. |