Advances and Applications in Biodegradable and Bio-Based Materials and Composites

Dear Colleagues,

Advances and applications in biodegradable and bio-based materials and composites represent a pivotal shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly solutions across various industries. Biodegradable materials derived from renewable resources, such as plants or microorganisms, offer a promising alternative to traditional plastics, reducing reliance on finite fossil fuels and minimizing environmental pollution. These materials encompass a wide range of polymers and composites engineered through green chemistry principles to enhance biodegradability while maintaining the desired mechanical properties. Applications span various industries, including packaging, agriculture, automotive, and biomedical sectors, where biodegradable and bio-based materials offer solutions for reducing waste and the reliance on finite resources. Considerations such as biocompatibility and mechanical properties drive the development of these materials, paving the way for a more sustainable future and contributing to the transition towards a circular economy. Additionally, researchers are currently investigating the degradation pathways of these materials to ensure minimal environmental impacts throughout their lifecycle. In this Special Issue, we aim to gather high-quality research on the advances and applications in biodegradable and bio-based materials and composites. Specifically, this Special Issue will cover, but is not limited to, the following topics:

• Innovative and novel biodegradable and/or bio-based materials and composites production processes, technologies and systems;
• New and emerging applications of biodegradable and/or bio-based materials and composites;
• Biodegradable and/or bio-based materials and composite production design and process modelling;
• Life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis of biodegradable and/or bio-based materials and composite production and applications.

Dr. Yoong Kit Leong
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• bio-based materials
• biodegradable materials
• biopolymers
• natural fibers
• hybrid composites
• novel applications
• material sustainability
• sustainable packaging
• waste reduction
• circular economy
• life cycle assessment
• techno-economic analysis