Abstract

The increase in the world’s economic growth and global population requires a more efficient management of the Earth’s natural resources. The combined plastic and food sector forms an important part of the EU economy, accounting for 15 million jobs. Unlocking the innovation potential in the field of packaging and cosmetics will significantly contribute to job creation and competitiveness. Sustainable synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanaotes from agro-food by-products as well as synthesis of lactic acid co-polymers constitute a pathway to achieving sustainable polymeric matrices. Natural fibers, as well as polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, chitin, chitosan), cutin, and protein rich by-products, are abundantly available from the agro-food industry. Natural fibers may be modified chemically with enzymes or by treating their surface with natural waxes, with a significant improvement in adhesion and impact resistance. An overview on the availability, collection, treatment, and approach of valorization of largely available agro-food waste biomass for both polymer and biocomposite production is hereby reported, with examples of case studies and product developed in our research units, such as sustainable pots, rigid containers, active films, and non-woven tissue.

Highlights

  • The increase in the world population and the expansion of emerging countries’ economies require a more sustainable and performant management of natural resources with consideration given to each step of the materials’ life, including sources, logistics, use, and disposal—a complete life cycle [1,2]

  • The combined plastic and food sector forms an important part of the EU economy, accounting for 15 million jobs (7.6% of total employment) [3]

  • The term bioplastics refers to polymers produced from biomass and those that are carbon dioxide neutral, but not biodegradable or biodegradable polymers whose biodegradability needs to be related to a precise environment and conditions as clearly stated by normative standards

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Summary

Introduction

The increase in the world population and the expansion of emerging countries’ economies require a more sustainable and performant management of natural resources with consideration given to each step of the materials’ life, including sources, logistics, use, and disposal—a complete life cycle [1,2]. The worldwide production of plastics increased significantly, reaching one million tonnes in 2015, with expectations of a continuous high rate of growth. Efforts were dedicated by academics and industries to investigate and formulate new bioplastics products, but their effective presence in the market, which is increasing, needs to be promoted in a wide spectrum of applications, and petro-based plastics should be increasingly replaced with their renewable counterparts, mainly bioplastics and natural polymers. The term bioplastics refers to polymers produced from biomass and those that are carbon dioxide neutral, but not biodegradable or biodegradable polymers whose biodegradability needs to be related to a precise environment and conditions as clearly stated by normative standards. Misleading labels may increase in number when the two definitions of biobased and biodegradable are confused or not related to a precise and official standard [4]

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