Environmental issues biodegradability

Rayon is unique among the mass produced man-made fibers because it is the only one to use a natural polymer (cellulose) directly. Polyesters, nylons, polyolefins, and acryflcs all come indirectly from vegetation they come from the polymerization of monomers obtained from reserves of fossil fuels, which in turn were formed by the incomplete biodegradation of vegetation that grew millions of years ago. The extraction of these nonrenewable reserves and the resulting return to the atmosphere of the carbon dioxide from which they were made is one of the most important environmental issues of current times. CeUulosic fibers therefore have much to recommend them provided that the processes used to make them have minimal environmental impact. 

These environmental issues, created a dire need for the development of green polymeric materials, which would not involve the use of toxic and noxious component in their manufacture and could be degradable in nature. For these reasons, through the world today, the development of biodegradable materials with controlled properties has been a subject of great research challenge for the community of material scientists and engineers. 

Changing consumer behavior based on higher sensitivity for environmental issues and an increased interest in environmentally friendly products Increased interest of retailers to differentiate in the market Support by municipal authorities (providing a composting infrastructure) Legislative frameworks to enhance the use of biodegradable products (e.g., in Erance, Spain, Italy)... 

The main characteristics that determine the level of production of particular surfactants, aside from physico-chemical properties, are cost, availability of raw materials and environmental safety. The latter is characterized primarily by biodegradability, which is defined as the time required to reduce the surfactant concentration in the ambient medium by a given factor [26], The synthesis of surfactants with good biodegradability is an important task, as the environmental issues has become of a major concern. For example, the accumulation of surfactants within the adsorption layers formed in natural water reservoirs affects the life of various living organisms... 

Attention to these lignocellulosic materials can also be extended to the elaborative study on the biodegradability aspect based on various composting as well as accelerated degradation conditions, in order to cater to existing environmental issues pertaining to the ultimate disposability of plastics based products. 

The concern over environmental issues and sustainability has opened up another vibrant research field, namely, biobased and biodegradable polymer blends. An overview of major developments and recent trends in biodegradable blends with an emphasis on PLA blends are also discussed. This chapter closes with an outlook for the future of this important subject. 

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