As an area of high topical interest, Biopolymers – New materials for Sustainable Films and Coatings covers the development and utilization of polymers derived from bioresources, with a particular focus on film and coating applications. With growing concern for the environment and the rising price of crude oil, there is increasing demand for non-petroleum-based polymers from renewable resources. Leading research groups worldwide in industry and academe are working on such technology with the objective of applying the latest advances in the field. Written by well-respected experts, this text systematically covers the extraction and production of selected biopolymers as well as their properties and application as films or coatings in a variety of uses. The areas addressed include food packaging, edible coatings, paper coatings and agricultural films. Intended for researchers and students, this book will also be of interest to industry, especially in terms of the practical applications.

Table of Contents:
Preface. About the Editor. List of Contributors. PART I. 1 Introductory Overview (David Plackett). 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Worldwide Markets for Films and Coatings. 1.3 Sustainability. 1.4 Bio-Derived Polymers. 1.5 Other Topics. References. 2 Production, Chemistry and Degradation of Starch-Based Polymers (Analía Vázquez, María Laura Foresti and Viviana Cyras). 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Gelatinization. 2.3 Effect of Gelatinization Process and Plasticizer on Starch Properties. 2.4 Retrogradation. 2.5 Production of Starch–Polymer Blends. 2.6 Biodegradation of Starch-Based Polymers. 2.7 Concluding Remarks. 2.8 Acknowledgement. References. 3 Production, Chemistry and Properties of Polylactides (Anders Södergård and Saara Inkinen). 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Production of Polylactides. 3.3 Polylactide Chemistry. 3.4 Properties of Polylactides. 3.5 Concluding Remarks. References. 4 Production, Chemistry and Properties of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (Eric Pollet and Luc Avérous). 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Polyhydroxyalkanoate Synthesis. 4.3 Properties of Polyhydroxyalkanoates. 4.4 Polyhydroxyalkanoate Degradation. 4.5 PHA-Based Multiphase Materials. 4.6 Production and Commercial Products. References. 5 Chitosan for Film and Coating Applications (Patricia Fernandez-Saiz and José M. Lagaron). 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Physical and Chemical Characterization of Chitosan. 5.3 Properties and Applications of Chitosan. 5.4 Processing of Chitosan. 5.5 Concluding Remarks. References. 6 Production, Chemistry and Properties of Proteins (Mikael Gällstedt, Mikael S. Hedenqvist and Hasan Ture). 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Plant-Based Proteins. 6.3 Animal-Based Proteins. 6.4 Solution Casting of Proteins – an Overview. 6.5 Dry Forming of Protein Films. 6.6 Concluding Remarks. References. 7 Synthesis, Chemistry and Properties of Hemicelluloses (Ann-Christine Albertsson, Ulrica Edlund and Indra K. Varma). 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Structure. 7.3 Sources. 7.4 Extraction Methodology. 7.5 Modifications. 7.6 Applications. 7.7 Concluding Remarks. References. 8 Production, Chemistry and Properties of Cellulose-Based Materials (Mohamed Naceur Belgacem and Alessandro Gandini). 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Pristine Cellulose as a Source of New Materials. 8.3 Novel Cellulose Solvents. 8.4 Cellulose-Based Composites and Superficial Fiber Modification. 8.5 Cellulose Coupled with Nanoparticles. 8.6 Electronic Applications. 8.7 Biomedical Applications. 8.8 Cellulose Derivatives. 8.9 Concluding Remarks. References. 9 Furan Monomers and their Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Applications (Alessandro Gandini). 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Precursors and Monomers. 9.3 Polymers. 9.4 Biodegradability of Furan Polymers. 9.5 Concluding Remarks. References. PART II. 10 Food Packaging Applications of Biopolymer-Based Films (N. Gontard, H. Angellier-Coussy, P. Chalier, E. Gastaldi, V. Guillard, C. Guillaume and S. Peyron). 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Food Packaging Material Specifications. 10.3 Examples of Biopolymer Applications for Food Packaging Materials. 10.4 Research Directions and Perspectives. 10.5 Concluding Remarks. References. 11 Biopolymers for Edible Films and Coatings in Food Applications (Idoya Ferández-Pan and Juan Ignacio Maté Caballero). 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 Materials for Edible Films and Coatings. 11.3 Edible Films and Coatings for Food Applications. 11.4 Concluding Remarks. References. 12 Biopolymer Coatings for Paper and Paperboard (Christian Aulin and Tom Lindström). 12.1 Introduction. 12.2 Biopolymer Films and Coatings. 12.3 Bio-Nanocomposite Films and Coatings. 12.4 Concluding Remarks. 12.5 Acknowledgement. References. 13 Agronomic Potential of Biopolymer Films (Lluís Martín-Closas and Ana M. Pelacho). 13.1 Introduction. 13.2 The Potential Role of Biodegradable Materials in Agricultural Films. 13.3 Presently Available Biopolymers and Biocomposites. 13.4 Past and Current International Projects on Biodegradable Agricultural Films. 13.5 Present Applications of Biopolymer Films in Agriculture. 13.6 Potential Uses: Current Limitations and Future Applications. 13.7 Concluding Remarks. 13.8 Acknowledgements. References. 14 Functionalized Biopolymer Films and Coatings for Advanced Applications (David Plackett and Vimal Katiyar). 14.1 Introduction. 14.2 Optoelectronics. 14.3 Sensors. 14.4 Miscellaneous Applications. 14.5 Concluding Remarks. References. 15 Summary and Future Perspectives (David Plackett). 15.1 Introduction. 15.2 Bioplastics. 15.3 Bio-Thermoset Resins. 15.4 Nanocomposites Based on Inorganic Nanofillers. 15.5 Nanocomposites Based on Cellulose Nanofillers. 15.6 Concluding Remarks. References. Index.