Biopolymers and Biocomposites: Chemistry and Technology

Abstract

Nowadays, most advanced technologies utilize materials from finite non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels, minerals, and metal ores. With the recent attention on exploring substitutes to non-renewable resources and highlighting the reduced environmental impacts, researches are progressively being focused at the development of biodegradable materials from biocomposite and biopolymer-based materials. This review paper aims at reporting on very recent development in biopolymer and biocomposite. Biocomposites cater to a substantial non-food market for agro residuederived resins and fibres. Recently, biopolymer and biocomposite with controllable lifespans have become a main subject for various applications and fields. This paper is a timely review since there has been recent renewed attention in research studies, for both industry and academia concerning the development of new generation of biocomposite and biopolymerbased materials having potential uses in other areas.