Polymeric products made from petrochemical polymers are extremely stable in environmental conditions. Following their use, this feature becomes serious problem for the environment. Most of the products made of plastic are stockpiled in landfills, and the decomposition time of such products is often several hundred years. The solution to this problem may be the use of biodegradable polymers derived from renewable materials and which undergo biodegradation. Biodegradable polymers are distinctly from regular polymers in their material characteristics. Biodegradable polymers, like any other polymer, can be processed using conventional techniques such as injection molding, extrusion, and compression molding. Furthermore, the use of appropriate methods of modification can result in new or improved properties being obtained for the resulting materials. However, the distinct narrow modification and processing window makes them challenging to modify or process. Continuing technological progress in the modification and processing of biodegradable polymers leads not only to the enhancement of the product quality but also to the reduction of their prices. As a result, biodegradable polymers may be used to produce both common-use articles or packaging materials, as well as for more complex engineering applications. In this Special Issue, we aim to publish original research and review articles detailing the current trends and technologies for the modification and processing of biodegradable polymers and their composites that are aimed at improving their properties and expanding the possibilities for application.
Keywords: biodegradable polymers and composites; physical and chemical modification of biodegradable polymers; physical and chemical processing of biodegradable polymers; recycling of biodegradable polymers; characteristics of biodegradable polymers and composites.