Premium
Green Polymer Chemistry and Bio‐based Plastics: Dreams and Reality
Author(s) -
Mülhaupt Rolf
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201200439
Subject(s) - renewable energy , renewable resource , carbon footprint , context (archaeology) , biomass (ecology) , polymer , fossil fuel , green chemistry , environmental science , biochemical engineering , nanotechnology , chemistry , pulp and paper industry , greenhouse gas , materials science , engineering , organic chemistry , ecology , paleontology , ionic liquid , electrical engineering , biology , catalysis
Dwindling fossil resources, surging energy demand and global warming stimulate growing demand for renewable polymer products with low carbon footprint. Going well beyond the limited scope of natural polymers, biomass conversion in biorefineries and chemical carbon dioxide fixation are teamed up with highly effective tailoring, processing and recycling of polymers. “Green monomers” from biorefineries, and “renewable oil”, gained from plastics' and bio wastes, render synthetic polymers renewable without impairing their property profiles and recycling. In context of biofuel production, limitations of the green economy concepts are clearly visible. Dreams and reality of “green polymers” are highlighted. Regardless of their new greenish touch, highly versatile and cost‐effective polymers play an essential role in sustainable development.