Compostable Polymer Materials, Second Edition, deals with the environmentally important family of polymers designed to be disposed of in industrial and municipal compost facilities after their useful life. These compostable plastics undergo degradation and leave no visible, distinguishable, or toxic residue. Environmental concerns and legislative measures taken in different regions of the world make composting an increasingly attractive route for the disposal of redundant polymers.This book covers the entire spectrum of preparation, degradation, and evironmental issues related to compostable polymers. It emphasizes recent studies concerning compostability and ecotoxilogical assessment of polymer materials. It descibes the thermal behavior, including flammability properties, of compostable polymers. It also explores possible routes of compostable polymers waste disposal through an ecological lens. Finally, the book examines the economic factors at work, including price evolution over the past decade, the current market, and future perspectives. Compostable Polymer Materials is an essential resource for graduate students and scientists working in chemistry, materials science, ecology, and environmental science. - Provides a comprehensive study of the composting process - Details methods of compostable polymers preparation, including properties, processing and applications - Presents the state-of-the-art knowledge on ecotoxicity testing and biodegradation under real composting conditions of compostable polymers, as well as biodegradation in various environments, such as marine environments and anaerobic conditions - Discusses the evolution of waste management in Europe and the United States, as well as the status of MSW disposal and treatment methods in countries such as China and Brazil - Overviews biodegradation studies under real composting conditions of products made of compostable polymers, e.g. bags, bottles, cutletry - Analyzes evolution of market development, including price of compostable polymers during the last decade

Compostable Polymer Materials deals with an environmentally important family of polymers designed to be disposed of in industrial and municipal compost facilities after their useful life. These compostable plastics undergo degradation and leave no visible, distinguishable or toxic residue. Environmental concerns and legislative measures taken in different regions of the world make composting an increasingly attractive route for the disposal of redundant polymers. This book provides up–to-date results and information about compostable polymer materials in a coherent and comprehensive manner. It covers the entire spectrum of preparation, properties, degradation, and environmental issues. The emphasis is on recent studies concerning compostability and ecotoxicological assessment of polymer materials-–important issues from the ecological point of view. Moreover, the thermal behavior of compostable polymers is described. Their price evolution over the past decade, an estimation of the market and future perspectives are presented. - Focus on the composting process, compostability standards, compost quality and composting studies - Coherent and uniformly presented information about methods of preparation; properties, processing and applications - Up-to-date information on ecotoxicity testing and studies of polymers - Overview of thermal stability and thermal degradation process of compostable polymer materials - Presents future perspectives of compostable polymers, including evolution of price during last decade - Information about waste management evolution in Europe, USA and Asia (China) with emphasis on composting during the last decade

Biopolymers and Biodegradable Plastics are a hot issue across the Plastics industry, and for many of the industry sectors that use plastic, from packaging to medical devices and from the construction indusry to the automotive sector. This book brings together a number of key biopolymer and biodegradable plastics topics in one place for a broad audience of engineers and scientists, especially those designing with biopolymers and biodegradable plastics, or evaluating the options for switching from traditional plastics to biopolymers. Topics covered include preparation, fabrication, applications and recycling (including biodegradability and compostability). Applications in key areas such as films, coatings controlled release and tissue engineering are discussed. Dr Ebnesajjad provides readers with an in-depth reference for the plastics industry – material suppliers and processors, bio-polymer producers, bio-polymer processors and fabricators – and for industry sectors utilizing biopolymers – automotive, packaging, construction, wind turbine manufacturers, film manufacturers, adhesive and coating industries, medical device manufacturers, biomedical engineers, and the recycling industry. Essential information and practical guidance for engineers and scientists working with bioplastics, or evaluating a migration to bioplastics. Includes key published material on biopolymers, updated specifically for this Handbook, and new material including coverage of PLA and Tissue Engineering Scaffolds. Coverage of materials and applications together in one handbook enables engineers and scientists to make informed design decisions.

Biodegradable Polymers, Blends and Composites provides a comprehensive review on recent developments in this very important research field. The book's chapters cover the various types of biodegradable polymers currently available and their composites, with discussions on preparation, properties and applications. Sections cover natural rubber-based polymer blends, soy-protein, cellulose, chitin, starch-based, PLA, PHBV, PCL, PVA, PBAT-based blends, Poly (ethylene succinate), PHB and Poly (propylene carbonates). The book will be a valuable reference resource for academic and industrial researchers, technologists and engineers working on recent developments in the area of biodegradable polymers, their blends and composites. - Discusses the various types of biodegradable polymers, blends and composites - Covers natural rubber, cellulose, chitin, starch, PLA, PCL and PBAT - Features modern processing technologies, properties, applications and biodegradability

Continuous research advances have been observed in the field of environmentally-friendly polymers and polymer composites due to the dependence of polymers on fossil fuels and the sustainability issues related to plastic wastes. This book compiles the most recent research works in biopolymers, their blends and composites, and the use of natural additives, such as vegetable oils and other renewable and waste-derived liquids, with their marked environmental efficiency devoted to developing novel sustainable materials. Therefore, Environmentally Friendly Polymers and Polymer Composites provides an overview to scientists of the potential of these environmentally friendly materials and helps engineers to apply these new materials for industrial purposes.

Appendix includes formulas and procedures for making plastics.

This handbook covers characteristics, processability and application areas of biodegradable polymers, with key polymer family groups discussed. It explores the role of biodegradable polymers in different waste management practices including anaerobic digestion, and considers topics such as the different types of biorefineries for renewable monomers used in producing the building blocks for biodegradable polymers.