Authors :
Om Deepak Vaidya T. Y.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 1 - January
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/32d8meu2
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/54j2khfn
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jan173
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
The current global environmental trajectory is defined by a critical imbalance in the production, consumption,
and disposal of synthetic polymers. With annual plastic production exceeding more than 460 million metric tons and a
projected increase in greenhouse gas emissions from the plastic lifecycle to in gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2040, the
need for sustainable material alternatives has reached a definitive peak [1], [2]. Conventional petroleum-based plastics
contribute to systemic ecological degradation, characterized by the persistence of microplastics in human biological systems
and the failure of existing waste management infrastructures. This research report evaluates the valorization of
biopolymers—naturally occurring macromolecules such as polysaccharides, proteins, and microbially synthesized
polyesters—as a transformative solution to this crisis. The study investigates the chemical and physical pathways required
to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of these materials, including graft copolymerization,
nanocomposite reinforcement, and advanced blending strategies. By analyzing the deployment of valorized biopolymers in
high-impact sectors such as active food packaging, carbon-negative construction, and biomedical engineering, this analysis
demonstrates how bio-based materials can satisfy the requirements of a circular economy. The report concludes that while
economic scalability and processing limitations remain significant hurdles, the integration of advanced biopolymer
technologies, supported by global policy harmonization, offers a viable framework for mitigating the long-term impacts of
material pollution and climate change
Keywords :
Biopolymers, Sustainable Materials, Polyhydroxyalkanoates (Pha), Nanocomposites, Active Packaging, Global Plastics Treaty, Green Chemistry.
References :
- Pew Charitable Trusts, "Breaking the Plastic Wave 2025," 2025.
- Polynext, "Plastic Pollution 2025: Latest Data," 2025.
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, "Plastic Pollution and Planetary Boundaries," 2024.
- Seabin Foundation, "Global Plastic Treaty Key Outcomes," 2025.
- EA Earth Action, "Plastic Overshoot Day 2025 Report," 2025.
- IUCN, "Issues Brief: Plastic Pollution," 2025.
- Smith, J., "Biopolymers Produced by Lactic Acid Bacteria," PMC, 2023.
- Biotechnology Journal, vol. 2, 2023.
- SkyQuest, "Biopolymers Market Size Analysis [2033]," 2024.
- Wang, L., "Nanofillers Reinforcing Biopolymer Composites," ResearchGate, 2025.
- RSC Sustainability, vol. 5, 2025.
- RSC Advances, 2025.
- JETIR, vol. 9, no. 1, 2022.
- ResearchGate, "General overview of biopolymers," 2023.
- University of Illinois, "Starch-based materials data," 2024.
- JSTR, vol. 4, 2024.
- PMC, "Chitosan structure and properties," 2017.
- Frontiers, "Marine and agricultural products for food packaging," 2022.
- MDPI Polymers, vol. 17, 2025.
- NFS Journal, "Applications of biopolymers," 2025.
- PMC, vol. 9, 2023.
- PMC, vol. 7, 2020.
- Frontiers, "Bioengineering and Biotechnology," 2022.
- MDPI Polymers, vol. 11, 2019.
- MDPI IJMS, vol. 24, 2023.
- PMC, vol. 6, 2019.
- MDPI Foods, vol. 12, 2023.
- JAME, 2024.
- Sustainability, vol. 16, 2024.
- Frontiers, "Food Science and Technology," 2025.
- Accoya, "Sustainable building materials," 2025.
- Revalu, "Sustainable construction materials," 2025.
- AZoBuild, 2025.
- Building Green Show, 2025.
- PMC, vol. 8, 2022.
- MDPI Polymers, vol. 17, 2025.
- MDPI Polymers, vol. 16, 2024.
- ResearchGate, "Biopolymers in Seed Coating," 2024.
- ResearchGate, "Roles of biopolymers in seed science," 2024.
- InvadeAgro, 2025.
- PHA Sourcing, 2024.
- MDPI, vol. 4, 2024.
- NREL, 2024.
- World Economic Forum, 2025.
- IDTechEx, 2025.
- Future Markets Inc., 2025.
- Maximize Market Research, 2025.
- CIEL, "INC-5.2 Final Stretch," 2025.
- Business for Plastic Treaty, 2025.
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2025.
- Plastics for Change, 2025.
- ACS Biomacromolecules, vol. 5, 2016.
- Forestry Research, 2024.
The current global environmental trajectory is defined by a critical imbalance in the production, consumption,
and disposal of synthetic polymers. With annual plastic production exceeding more than 460 million metric tons and a
projected increase in greenhouse gas emissions from the plastic lifecycle to in gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2040, the
need for sustainable material alternatives has reached a definitive peak [1], [2]. Conventional petroleum-based plastics
contribute to systemic ecological degradation, characterized by the persistence of microplastics in human biological systems
and the failure of existing waste management infrastructures. This research report evaluates the valorization of
biopolymers—naturally occurring macromolecules such as polysaccharides, proteins, and microbially synthesized
polyesters—as a transformative solution to this crisis. The study investigates the chemical and physical pathways required
to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of these materials, including graft copolymerization,
nanocomposite reinforcement, and advanced blending strategies. By analyzing the deployment of valorized biopolymers in
high-impact sectors such as active food packaging, carbon-negative construction, and biomedical engineering, this analysis
demonstrates how bio-based materials can satisfy the requirements of a circular economy. The report concludes that while
economic scalability and processing limitations remain significant hurdles, the integration of advanced biopolymer
technologies, supported by global policy harmonization, offers a viable framework for mitigating the long-term impacts of
material pollution and climate change
Keywords :
Biopolymers, Sustainable Materials, Polyhydroxyalkanoates (Pha), Nanocomposites, Active Packaging, Global Plastics Treaty, Green Chemistry.
