Polyesters and polyamides remain the most used group of synthetic fibres. This authoritative book reviews methods of their production, ways of improving their functionality and their wide range of applications.The first part of the book describes raw materials and manufacturing processes, including environmental issues. Part two considers ways of improving the functionality of polyester and polyamide fibres, including blending, weaving, coloration and other finishing techniques as well as new techniques such as nanotechnology. The final part of the book reviews the range of uses of these important fibres, from apparel and sportswear to automotive, medical and civil engineering applications.With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Polyesters and polyamides is a standard reference for all those using this important group of fibres. - Reviews the chemical and physical properties of each fibre and their manufacture - Analyses how the functionality of polyester and polyamides can be improved - Provides examples of how the fibres are used in applications

Living systems synthesize seven different classes of polymers. They provide structure and form for cells and organisms, function as catalysts and energy storage and carry the genetic information. All these polymers possess technically interesting properties. Some of these biopolymers are already used commercially. This special volume of Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology comprises 10 chapters. It gives an overview of the water insoluble biopolyesters, in particular of the microbially synthesized poly-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) family. It reports the state of the art of metabolism, regulation and genetic background, the latest advances made in genetic optimization of bacteria, "construction" of transgenic plants and in vitro synthesis by means of purified enzymes. Furthermore, it describes relevant technologies and evaluates perspectives concerning increasing the economic viability and competitiveness of PHA and discusses applications in medicine, packaging, food and other fields.

Bio-Based Packaging Bio-Based Packaging An authoritative and up-to-date review of sustainable packaging development and applications Bio-Based Packaging explores using renewable and biodegradable materials as sustainable alternatives to non-renewable, petroleum-based packaging. This comprehensive volume surveys the properties of biopolymers, the environmental and economic impact of bio-based packaging, and new and emerging technologies that are increasing the number of potential applications of green materials in the packaging industry. Contributions address the advantages and challenges of bio-based packaging, discuss new materials to be used for food packaging, and highlight cutting-edge research on polymers such as starch, protein, polylactic acid (PLA), pectin, nanocellulose, and their nanocomposites. In-depth yet accessible chapters provide balanced coverage of a broad range of practical topics, including life cycle assessment (LCA) of bio-based packaging products, consumer perceptions and preferences, supply chains, business strategies and markets in biodegradable food packaging, manufacturing of bio-based packaging materials, and regulations for food packaging materials. Detailed discussions provide valuable insight into the opportunities for biopolymers in end-use sectors, the barriers to biopolymer-based concepts in the packaging market, recent advances made in the field of biopolymeric composite materials, the future of bio-plastics in commercial food packaging, and more. This book: Provides deep coverage of the bio-based packaging development, characterization, regulations and environmental and socio-economic impact Contains real-world case studies of bio-based packaging applications Includes an overview of recent advances and emerging aspects of nanotechnology for development of sustainable composites for packaging Discusses renewable sources for packaging material and the reuse and recycling of bio-based packaging products Bio-Based Packaging is essential reading for academics, researchers, and industry professionals working in packaging materials, renewable resources, sustainability, polymerization technology, food technology, material engineering, and related fields. For more information on the Wiley Series in Renewable Resources, visit www.wiley.com/go/rrs

A comprehensive overview of different antimicrobial polymeric materials, their antimicrobial action modes and applications.

Enzymatic Polymerizations, Volume 627 in the Methods in Enzymology series, continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field. Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors Presents the latest release in the Methods in Enzymology series Includes the latest information on Enzymatic Polymerizations

The book presents current R&D activities to unravel the physico-chemical properties of diverse biopolymers, and their processing towards functionalised, high-performance bio-products with defined applications. The importance of this research becomes obvious by considering the annual plastic production of about 330 Mt, the lion's share thereof based on the conversion of fossil feedstocks that is highly recalcitrant against biodegradation. Alternative environmentally degradable plastics cover not even 5% of today's plastic market. Such biopolymers encompass various macromolecules of biological origin with diverse monomeric composition, and manifold physico-chemical properties. This structural diversity makes them potential candidates to produce bulk materials, e.g., for packaging purposes, smart functionalised materials in special niches like the biomedical field. Consequently, we witness an increasing trend towards new natural polymers to replace well-established products like plastics. After decades of global R&D developments in this field, and numerous body blows on the way to the anticipated market breakthrough of biopolymers, it is generally recognised that the success of such new materials needs progress in both material performance and production prices. The book Current Advances in Biopolymer Processing & Characterisation is dedicated to the current state-of-the-art of production, modification, characterisation, and processing of two major biopolymer groups: Firstly, polysaccharides, nature's most abundant raw materials, are represented by specialised contributions on biomedical applications of starch and its follow-up products. Polysaccharides were also studied for the examples of functionalised thermoplastic starch, molecular and hydrocolloidal characteristics of xanthan in aqueous environments, and by the design of functionalised xylan-based bio-materials. Secondly, the second series of contributions encompasses diverse biopolyesters. Advanced methods to improve the properties of PLA, fine-tune PLA properties by triggering PLA's crystallisation rate during melt processing, and the strongly emerging field of 3D-printing of PLA, PCL, and microbial PHA are described. Finally, the authors familiarise the reader with the application of mixed microbial cultures to produce PHA heteropolyesters with different thermo-mechanical properties in dependence on cultivation strategy and the microbial species composition. This compilation of new biomaterials with surprising functions and performance, based on these natural polymers will address scientists active in biopolymers production, functionalisation, characterisation, and processing towards bio-technomers. The book is also dedicated to undergraduate students of polymer chemistry and polymer processing, and to representatives of the polymer industry who are interested in developing innovative, sustainable and smart polymeric products. Activities motivated by reading this book shall boost the impatiently desired market penetration of biopolymers and their follow-up products. Such materials definitely display a socioeconomic impact by addressing prevailing ecological concerns such as depleting fossil resources, growing piles of plastic waste, and increasing global warming. The contributions to this book illustrate that bio-inspired remedies for prevalent ecological problems are already available, developed by experts in polymer sciences and engineering, or that these solutions are at least in the status of development.