Green Polymer Chemistry and Bio-based Plastics: Dreams and Reality

Dwindling fossil resources, surging energy demand and global warming stimulate growing demand for renewable polymer products with low carbon footprint. Going well beyond the limited scope of natural polymers, biomass conversion in biorefineries and chemical carbon dioxide fixation are teamed up with highly effective tailoring, processing and recycling of polymers. Green monomers from biorefineries, and renewable oil, gained from plastics' and bio wastes, render synthetic polymers renewable without impairing their property profiles and recycling. In context of biofuel production, limitations of the green economy concepts are clearly visible. Dreams and reality of green polymers are highlighted. Regardless of their new greenish touch, highly versatile and cost-effective polymers play an essential role in sustainable development.