Biopolymers and their Application-Oriented Composites into a Circular Economy Context
- Rubén Teijido
- Leire Ruiz Rubio
- Qi Zhang
- Senentxu Lanceros
- José Luis Vilas Vilela
Publisher: Materials Research Forum
ISSN: 2471-8904
ISBN: 9781644902639
Year of publication: 2023
Pages: 105-141
Type: Book chapter
Abstract
Society is increasingly concerned about environmental problems derived from the inappropriate use of polymeric materials and their inefficient recycle. Furthermore, considering that petroleum is not an endless raw material, the search for new sustainable materials has been gaining great interest in recent years. These materials should not only be sustainable but also fulfil the requirements requested by the industry. In this context, biopolymers stand out for their natural origin and their potential to substitute some of the synthetic polymers. On the other hand, the design of new composites capable of adapting and responding to the increasingly sophisticated applications presented by this new era of additive manufacturing or the internet of things is crucial. Moreover, the new business horizons related to the implementation of industry 4.0 require the development of complex sustainable materials for their development but considering a Circular Economy and sustainability perspectives.