Bioplastics for Sustainability: Manufacture, Technologies, and Environment offers an innovative approach to bioplastics, integrating state-of-the-art materials and technologies with detailed analysis of lifecycle, recycling, circularity, and environmental impact of bioplastics, and enabling circular utilization and successful scale-up of bioplastics. The book begins by introducing the fundamentals of bioplastics – including biodegradable, compostable, and oxodegradable materials – and discusses the various factors involved in encouraging commercial uptake of these materials. The second part of the book highlights cutting-edge approaches to the production of bioplastics, covering novel sources such as microalgae and organic waste, and solutions for industrial scale manufacturing. Other sections cover the environmental impact of bioplastics and routes to environmentally-friendly usage, and more. This is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students across polymer science, sustainable materials, plastics engineering, materials science, chemistry, environmental science, and engineering. In an industrial setting, this book supports engineers, scientists, and R&D professionals with an interest in sustainable manufacture and application of bioplastics, across a range of products, parts, and industries. - Presents the latest advances in novel materials and manufacture techniques for bioplastics - Focuses on sustainable use of bioplastics, assessing biodegradability, life cycle, recycling, waste, and environmental impact - Addresses other key considerations, such as industrial scale-up, commercialization, policies, and regulation

This book provides the latest information on bioplastics and biodegradable plastics. The initial chapters introduce readers to the various sources and substrates for the synthesis of bioplastics and biodegradable plastics, and explain their general structure, physio-chemical properties and classification. In turn, the book discusses innovative methods for the production of bioplastics at the industrial level and for the microbial production of bioplastics. It highlights the processes that are involved in the conversion of agro-industrial waste into bioplastics, while also summarizing the mechanisms of biodegradation in bioplastics. The book addresses a range of biotechnological applications of bioplastics such as in agriculture, food packaging and pharmaceutical industry, as well as biomedical applications.

This book will provide a comprehensive overview on the green approach to the research and industrialization of plastic materials. An effort will be made to offer to the reader a critical perspective concerning both oil-based plastics and novel bio-based and waste-derived polymer formulations. A special focus on bio-innovation in the area of organic materials will also be delivered.

Recycling of Polymers This timely reference on the topic is the only book you need for a complete overview of recyclable polymers. Following an introduction to various polymer structures and their resulting properties, the main part of the book deals with different methods of recycling. It discusses in detail the recycling of such common polymers as polyethylene, polypropylene and PET, as well as rubbers, fibers, engineering polymers, polymer blends and composites. The whole is rounded off with a look at future technologies and the toxicological impact of recycled polymers. An indispensable reference source for those working in the field, whether in academia or industry, and whether newcomers or advanced readers.

Self-Congruity provides a comprehensive understanding of the self-concept, integrating the many references to it in the psychological literature. Using his previous findings, the author considers cognitive-versus-affective phenomena, and intrapersonal, interpersonal, situational, and analytic modes. He then applies his integrated theory to the problem of change in self-concept and behavior.

This book shows how the use of biodegradable plastics in agriculture can have a profound positive impact on plasticulture. Starting with an organic chemistry approach to biodegradable and compostable plastics, both natural and synthetic, it then analyzes the technological and agronomic aspects of existing bioplastics for protected cultivation (mulching, direct cover, low tunnels). It describes the new sprayable biodegradable mulching method, which is based on the use of waterborne polysaccharides and cellulosic fibers. A further chapter describes the research and technology of biodegradable plastics for different agricultural practices. It also includes chapters on life cycle assessment (LCA) of biodegradable plastics for agriculture, and existing and developing standards in the field. It is a valuable resource for agronomists, chemical and materials engineers, polymer technologists and scientists, as well as for a more general readership interested in the application of green chemistry principles to the vast world of crop production. Mario Malinconico is Research Director at the Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, Italy. /p

Discover biomolecular engineering technologies for the production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals, organic and amino acids, vitamins, biopolymers, surfactants, detergents, and enzymes In Biomolecular Engineering Solutions for Renewable Specialty Chemicals, distinguished researchers and editors Drs. R. Navanietha Krishnaraj and Rajesh K. Sani deliver a collection of insightful resources on advanced technologies in the synthesis and purification of value-added compounds. Readers will discover new technologies that assist in the commercialization of the production of value-added products. The editors also include resources that offer strategies for overcoming current limitations in biochemical synthesis, including purification. The articles within cover topics like the rewiring of anaerobic microbial processes for methane and hythane production, the extremophilic bioprocessing of wastes to biofuels, reverse methanogenesis of methane to biopolymers and value-added products, and more. The book presents advanced concepts and biomolecular engineering technologies for the production of high-value, low-volume products, like therapeutic molecules, and describes methods for improving microbes and enzymes using protein engineering, metabolic engineering, and systems biology approaches for converting wastes. Readers will also discover: A thorough introduction to engineered microorganisms for the production of biocommodities and microbial production of vanillin from ferulic acid Explorations of antibiotic trends in microbial therapy, including current approaches and future prospects, as well as fermentation strategies in the food and beverage industry Practical discussions of bioactive oligosaccharides, including their production, characterization, and applications In-depth treatments of biopolymers, including a retrospective analysis in the facets of biomedical engineering Perfect for researchers and practicing professionals in the areas of environmental and industrial biotechnology, biomedicine, and the biological sciences, Biomolecular Engineering Solutions for Renewable Specialty Chemicals is also an invaluable resource for students taking courses involving biorefineries, biovalorization, industrial biotechnology, and environmental biotechnology.