Future perspectives of biopolymeric industry

Abstract Because of some specific properties such as hydrophilicity, poor mechanical strength, barrier properties, and other characteristics, biopolymers and biocomposite materials are not suitable for various important industrial applications. In the last few decades, the demand for biopolymers and their composites has increased continuously due to the extensive use of fossil resources or stock resources. Hence, eco-friendly biomaterials are highly essential for maintaining the sustainability of the environment. Now, biomaterials are considered highly promising materials that can be used as proper substitutes for fossil-based synthetic polymers and their composites through proper modification of the biopolymers. Recently, a novel non-biodegradable biomaterial (polythioesters) has been developed through microbial fermentation. Researchers throughout the globe are now developing improved biocomposite materials by incorporating different fillers in the nanoscale range that exhibit adequate mechanical properties and can be designed as future biomaterials that can replace traditional plastics. Now biopolymers and bionanocomposites are used noticeably in many countries throughout the world for food packaging, cosmetics, automobile industries, water purification, tissue engineering, textile industries, electronic industries, etc. For the industrialization of biobased polymeric materials and bionanocomposite materials, they should be synthesized in a sophisticated way by using green technology with improved geometry, good control in internal architecture, mechanical properties, and porosity. Chitin, alginate, pectin, zein, chitosan, poly-glutamic acid (-PGA), and other natural biopolymers are now found to be the future materials for various bioplastic industries. However, the future prospects of the biopolymer industry still pose challenges for industrialization and commercialization and should not be overlooked lightly.