Recent advances in bio-based functional additives for polymers

In recent decades, the strong global concern on depletion of fossil fuel and the environmental impact of oil-based compounds has pushed towards more sustainable approaches in the development of polymer-based materials. This interest is driven by the need of a more sustainable economy and a lower dependency on fossil fuels. In this frame, the replacement of synthetic additives with natural compounds in polymer commodities is progressively taking place. Additionally, according to forecasts, the production of bio-plastics will grow exponentially in the near future. However, these materials may exhibit poor physical and mechanical properties regarding processability and end-use, which can limit their potential for applications. Therefore, academic and industrial communities are pushing their interest in fully bio-based formulations with improved performance, and tailored for specific applications, ranging from packaging to biomedicine.

This review presents the most recent advances in research and development of bio-based functional additives for polymeric materials. For each type of additive, both the scientific fundamentals and the technological aspects are encompassed, with an emphasis on the current commercially available bio-based additives and their role in market uptake of environmentally friendly products. Finally, considerations about environmental, health, regulatory, and economic issues related to the use of bio-additives in plastic materials are also addressed.