Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications

The Handbook of Bioplastics and Biocomposites Engineering Applications includes 19 chapters, bringing together 40 scientists from academia and industry to report on current research results and applications in the field of bioplastics and biocomposites. The book covers the following five main categories of applications: packaging, civil engineering, biomedical, automotive, and general engineering.

The majority of the chapters describes the properties, processing, characterisation, synthesis, and applications of the bio-based and biodegradable polymers and composites, such as polylactic acid (PLA); polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB); vegetable oil, guar gum or starch-based plastics; biopolyethylene, chitosan, etc. In addition, the ways how to improve the properties of bioplastics, polymer blends, and biocomposites by combining them with both synthetic and natural fillers and reinforcements, such as nanoclay, carbon nanotubes, and natural fibres (wood and plant fibres) are discussed.