Biomass, Biofuels, Biochemicals

Biodegradable Polymers and Composites - Process Engineering to Commercialization is designed in such a way that it not only gives basic knowledge but also contains information regarding conventional and advanced technologies, socio-economic aspects, techno-economic feasibility, modelling tools and detailed Life Cycle Analysis in biopolymer production. The book discusses the advantages and importance of biopolymers over the conventionally produced plastics. Biodegradable Polymers and Composites highlights: the conventional and advanced strategies for biopolymer production; information regarding process engineering and commercialization of biopolymers; models and available modelling techniques in the sector of biopolymer production; and global case studies, opportunities and challenges (technical constraints, institutional constraints and social constraints) associated with biopolymer production.

PART 1 - GENERAL 1. Biopolymers - An Introduction 2. Microplastics in aquatic and terrestrial environment 3. Thermoplastic starches PART 2 - PLANT - BASED BIOPOLYMERS 4. Cellulose 5. Starch 6. Pectin 7. Xylan PART 3 - MICROBIAL- BASED BIOPOLYMERS 8. Pullulan 9. Poly-hydroxy alkaonates 10. Poly-Glutamic Acid 11. Polyphosphate 12. Poly Lactic Acid 13. Bacterial cellulose PART 4 - BIOPOLYMER COMPOSITES 14. Biodegradable polymer composites 15. Thermal/rheological behaviour and functional properties of biopolymers and biocomposite 16. Functional biopolymers: synthesis, characterization and applications of chitosan and its blend composites 17. Nanocellulose-reinforced biocomposites 18. Biomedical applications of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates PART 5 - PROCESS ENGINEERING AND COMMERCIALIZATION 19. Process development, challenges and commercialization of polyhydroxy-alkanoates (PHAs) 20. Lignin production in plants and pilot and commercial processes