Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers, 2nd Edition

Biodegradable polymers are niche but ever-expanding market materials finding focused applications in sectors where biodegradability, together with the performances they attain during use, offers systemic environmental benefits: agricultural applications, packaging, catering, hygiene and slow release items. They represent a highly promising solution, since they have the potential to overcome environmental concerns such as the decreasing availability of landfill space and the depletion of petrochemical resources, and also offer a sustainable alternative option to mechanical and chemical recycling. Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers, 2nd Edition is a complete guide to the subject of biodegradable polymers and is ideal for those new to the subject or those wanting to supplement their existing knowledge. This handbook covers the mechanisms of degradation in various environments, by both biological and nonbiological means, and the methods for measuring biodegradation. It also provides a discussion of international and national standards and certification procedures developed to ensure accurate communication of a material's biodegradability between producers, authorities and consumers. This updated edition of the handbook goes on to consider the characteristics, processability and application areas of biodegradable polymers, with key polymer family groups discussed (polyhydroxyalkanoates, starch, lactic acid-based polymers, aliphatic-aromatic polyesters and protein-based materials), to explore the role of biodegradable polymers in different waste management practices including anaerobic digestion, and to consider topics such as the different types of biorefineries for renewable monomers used in producing the building blocks for biodegradable polymers.