Chapter 9. PHA Copolymers from Microbial Mixed Cultures: Synthesis, Extraction and Related Properties
The book presents current R&D activities to unravel the physico-chemical properties of diverse “biopolymers”, and their processing towards functionalized, high-performance bio-products with defined applications. The importance of this research becomes obvious by considering the annual plastic production of about 330 Mt, the lion´s share thereof based on the conversion of fossil feedstocks that is highly recalcitrant against biodegradation. Alternative environmentally degradable plastics cover not even 5% of today´s plastic market.