Biopolymers: The Future of Sustainable Materials

Traditional plastics, primarily derived from fossil fuels, persist in our environment for decades, significantly contributing to pollution and climate change. In stark contrast, biopolymers, nature’s ingeniously engineered materials, offer a viable, biodegradable alternative. Optimized over millions of years, these materials perform specialized functions. For instance, spider silk is noted for its extraordinary strength and biodegradability, and plant cellulose is lauded for its structural efficiency. Though current biopolymer technologies have not yet matched the performance of conventional synthetic plastics, it's crucial to recognize that synthetics took nearly a century to develop. This emerging field presents a substantial opportunity for rapid advancement, using nature's blueprint to develop sustainable materials that meet modern demands while reducing environmental impact.

This Research Topic aims to explore the transformative impact of biopolymers as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Focusing on naturally derived macromolecules, we invite contributions that delve into the complexities of biopolymer synthesis, characterization, and biodegradability. We seek to showcase advancements in sourcing renewable raw materials, along with innovative processing techniques that improve biopolymers' functionality and scalability. There is a special focus on practical applications in sectors critical for sustainability, such as packaging, medicine, and agriculture, emphasizing waste reduction and lifecycle management. By combining fundamental research with applied case studies, this topic endeavors to provide comprehensive insights into how innovations in biopolymers are enabling a shift towards a circular, bio-based economy.

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Sustainable synthesis, characterization, and processing of biopolymers
• Novel extraction methods and non-traditional sources of natural macromolecules
• Strategies for functionalization, modification, and blending to enhance biopolymer performance
• Development of biopolymer composites and hybrid materials
• Applications across diverse fields such as packaging, biomedical engineering, and agriculture
• Life-cycle assessments, biodegradability studies, and evaluations of environmental impact
• Strategies for scale-up and economic feasibility of biopolymer production
• Future trends, challenges, and policy perspectives on transitioning from synthetic to sustainable alternatives.


Topic Editor J. L. Shamshina is a former employee of 525 Solutions, Inc. & Mary Signum, Mid-Atlantic, LLC. She has a partial ownership of Chitalyst, LLC and Mirus Boletus." All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Biopolymers, Sustainable Materials, Biodegradability, Renewable Resources, Circular Economy

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.