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Polymers
Special Issues
Biodegradable Polymers: Innovations in Processing, Diverse Applications, and Sustainable Solutions
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Biodegradable Polymers: Innovations in Processing, Diverse Applications, and Sustainable Solutions

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 May 2025 | Viewed by 5038

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Vesna Ocelić Bulatović

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: biodegradable polymers; thermoplastic starch; packaging; nano/micro polymer composites
Dr. Dajana Kučić Grgić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: biodegradation; composting; antibacterial testing; ecotoxicology; waste; biomass; environmental protection; life cycle assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biodegradable polymers represent an important facet of sustainable materials science and offer solutions to the growing environmental problems associated with conventional plastics. This Special Issue explores the various aspects of processing biodegradable polymers, including synthesis methods, manufacturing techniques, characterization methods, and industrial-scale production processes. It also aims to highlight the wide range of applications in various fields such as packaging, biomedicine, agriculture, automotive, and more. By promoting interdisciplinary dialog and collaboration, this Special Issue aims to accelerate the development and use of biodegradable polymers as a viable alternative to conventional, non-degradable plastics, thus contributing to the advancement of sustainable materials technology.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  • Novel synthesis routes and strategies for the production of biodegradable polymers;
  • Processing techniques and methods for the production of biodegradable polymer materials, including extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, and 3D printing;
  • Characterization methods to evaluate the structural, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of biodegradable polymer products;
  • Additive manufacturing approaches and advances in composites and blends based on biodegradable polymers;
  • Biodegradable polymer nanocomposites and their processing, characterization and applications;
  • Sustainable processing and recycling strategies for biodegradable polymers;
  • Applications of biodegradable polymers in packaging, including food packaging, agricultural films, and industrial packaging;
  • Biomedical applications of biodegradable polymers, g., drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, and medical devices;
  • Agricultural applications of biodegradable polymers, including mulch films, seed coatings, and soil erosion control materials;
  • Automotive and construction applications of biodegradable polymers, including interior components, structural materials and insulation products;
  • Environmental impact assessments and life cycle analyses of biodegradable polymer-based products and their end-of-life disposal options.

This Special Issue welcomes original research articles, reviews, and short communications that advance the understanding, development, and use of biodegradable polymers in various applications and industries.

Dr. Vesna Ocelić Bulatović 
Dr. Dajana Kučić Grgić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biodegradable polymer materials
  • polymer composites
  • 3D printing
  • biomedical applications
  • mulch films
  • product life cycle

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 10551 KiB  
Article
Zero Waste Concept in Production of PLA Biocomposites Reinforced with Fibers Derived from Wild Plant (Spartium junceum L.) and Energy Crop (Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby)
by Zorana Kovačević, Ana Pilipović, Mario Meheš and Sandra Bischof
Polymers 2025, 17(2), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17020235 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 512
Abstract
This research follows the principles of circular economy through the zero waste concept and cascade approach performed in two steps. Our paper focuses on the first step and explores the characteristics of developed biocomposite materials made from a biodegradable poly(lactic acid) polymer (PLA) [...] Read more.
This research follows the principles of circular economy through the zero waste concept and cascade approach performed in two steps. Our paper focuses on the first step and explores the characteristics of developed biocomposite materials made from a biodegradable poly(lactic acid) polymer (PLA) reinforced with natural fibers isolated from the second generation of biomass (agricultural biomass and weeds). Two plants, Spartium junceum L. (SJL) and Sida hermaphrodita (SH), were applied. To enhance their mechanical, thermal, and antimicrobial properties, their modification was performed with environmentally friendly additives—linseed oil (LO), organo-modified montmorillonite nanoclay (MMT), milled cork (MC), and zinc oxide (ZnO). The results revealed that SH fibers exhibited 38.92% higher tensile strength than SJL fibers. Composites reinforced with SH fibers modified only with LO displayed a 27.33% increase in tensile strength compared to neat PLA. The addition of LO improved the thermal stability of both biocomposites by approximately 5–7 °C. Furthermore, the inclusion of MMT filler significantly reduced the flammability, lowering the heat release rate to 30.25%, and enabling the categorization of developed biocomposite in a group of flame retardants. In the second step, all waste streams generated during the fibers extraction process are repurposed into the production of solid biofuels (pellets, briquettes) or biogas (bio)methane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers: Innovations in Processing, Diverse Applications, and Sustainable Solutions)
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12 pages, 3689 KiB  
Article
Modification of Processability and Shear-Induced Crystallization of Poly(lactic acid)
by Ruiqi Feng, Daisuke Kugimoto and Masayuki Yamaguchi
Polymers 2024, 16(24), 3487; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16243487 - 14 Dec 2024
Viewed by 3158
Abstract
We studied the rheological properties under both shear and elongational flow and crystallization behaviors after shear history for binary blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) with a slightly lower shear viscosity. EVA was immiscible with PLA and dispersed in [...] Read more.
We studied the rheological properties under both shear and elongational flow and crystallization behaviors after shear history for binary blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) with a slightly lower shear viscosity. EVA was immiscible with PLA and dispersed in droplets in the blend. The addition of EVA significantly reduced the shear viscosity, which is attributed to the interfacial slippage between PLA and EVA. In contrast, under elongational flow, the addition of EVA provided strain hardening in the transient elongational viscosity. Consequently, the degree of neck-in behavior in T-die extrusion, i.e., a decrease in the film width, was reduced with the high orientation of the PLA chains. Furthermore, it was found that the addition of EVA accelerated the shear-induced crystallization of PLA, although EVA showed no nucleating ability without a flow field. Because the EVA addition can improve the mechanical toughness, this modification technique is attractive for various industrial applications of PLA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers: Innovations in Processing, Diverse Applications, and Sustainable Solutions)
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26 pages, 3171 KiB  
Article
Producing and Characterizing Polyhydroxyalkanoates from Starch and Chickpea Waste Using Mixed Microbial Cultures in Solid-State Fermentation
by Karlo Grgurević, Dora Bramberger, Martina Miloloža, Krešimir Stublić, Vesna Ocelić Bulatović, Jasmina Ranilović, Šime Ukić, Tomislav Bolanča, Matija Cvetnić, Marinko Markić and Dajana Kučić Grgić
Polymers 2024, 16(23), 3407; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16233407 - 3 Dec 2024
Viewed by 811
Abstract
The environmental impact of plastic waste is a growing global challenge, primarily due to non-biodegradable plastics from fossil resources that accumulate in ecosystems. Biodegradable polymers like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) offer a sustainable alternative. PHAs are microbial biopolymers produced by microorganisms using renewable substrates, including [...] Read more.
The environmental impact of plastic waste is a growing global challenge, primarily due to non-biodegradable plastics from fossil resources that accumulate in ecosystems. Biodegradable polymers like polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) offer a sustainable alternative. PHAs are microbial biopolymers produced by microorganisms using renewable substrates, including agro-industrial byproducts, making them eco-friendly and cost-effective. This study focused on the isolation and characterization of PHA-producing microorganisms from agro-industrial waste, including chickpeas, chickpeas with bean residues, and starch. Screening via Sudan Black staining identified PHA-accumulating strains such as Brevibacillus sp., Micrococcus spp., and Candida krusei, among others. To assess the potential for PHA biosynthesis, solid-state fermentation (SSF) was conducted using agro-industrial waste as substrates, along with a mixed culture of the isolated microorganisms. The highest observed yield was a PHA accumulation of 13.81%, achieved with chickpeas containing bean residues. Structural and thermal characterization of the PHAs was performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR-ATR spectra indicated polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), suggesting it as the synthesized PHA type. This study highlights the potential of agro-industrial waste for sustainable PHA production and eco-friendly bioplastics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodegradable Polymers: Innovations in Processing, Diverse Applications, and Sustainable Solutions)
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