About the editors
Nick Tucker has spent about half his working life in manufacturing industry, working on production improvement in technical ceramics and as a line manager in fire retardant comfort foam manufacture.

1 SYNTHESIS OF POLYMERS FROM SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE ORIGIN RAW MATERIALS
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Carbohydrates as Renewable Resources
1.2.1 Cellulose
1.2.2 Starch
1.2.3 Hemicelluloses
1.2.4 Polylactic acid
1.2.5 Polyhydroxy-alkanoates (PHA)
1.3 Oils and Fats as Chemical Feedstocks
1.3.1 Hydroxylation (Ring Opening) of Vegetable Oil
1.3.2 Vegetable Oils as Feedstocks for Polyurethane Polymers
1.4 Conclusions
References

>2 CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY OF POLYMER DEGRADATION
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Microbial Degradation of Natural and Synthetic Polyesters
2.2.1 Polyhydroxyalkanoates
2.2.2 Synthetic Polyesters
2.3 Biodegradable Blends and Composites: Preparation, Characterisation and Properties
2.3.1 Microbial Polyesters
2.3.2 PHB and PHBV Blend with other Polymer Blends
2.3.3 Polycaprolactone (PCL)
2.3.4 Starch/Polymer Blends
2.3.5 Polyesters/High Amylose Starch Composites by Reactive Blending
2.3.6 PCL/PVOH
2.3.7 Polylactide (PLA)
2.3.8 PLA/Bionolle
2.4 Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References

3 QUANTIFYING THE RANGE OF PROPERTIES IN NATURAL RAW MATERIAL ORIGIN POLYMERS AND FIBRES
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Properties
3.3 Variability in Natural Origin Materials
3.4 The Influence of the Chemistry and Structure of Natural Origin Fibres Upon Their Properties
3.4.1 The Chemistry and Ultrastructure of Natural Fibres
3.4.2 The Influence of Fibre Ultrastructure Upon its Mechanical Properties
3.5 The Influence of Fibre Extraction, Isolation and Processing upon the Properties of Bast Fibres
3.5.1 Dew Retting
3.5.2 Water Retting
3.5.3 Enzyme Retting
3.5.4 Chemical Retting
3.6 The Influence of Fibre Damage upon the Mechanical Properties of Natural Fibres
3.6.1 Micro-Compressive Damage or Kink Bands in Lignocellulosic Fibres
3.7 Mechanical Properties of Natural Fibres
3.7.1 Regenerated Cellulose Fibres
3.8 Fibre Testing
3.9 Biopolymers
3.9.1 Introduction
3.9.2 Biopolymer Types
3.9.3 Properties
References

4 NATURAL FIBRES AS FILLERS/REINFORCEMENTS IN THERMOPLASTICS
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 Agro-Fibres and Their Use in Thermoplastics
4.2 Processing Considerations and Techniques
4.3 Properties
4.3.1 Mechanical Properties: Effects of Coupling and Fibre Content and Type
4.3.2 Effect of Fibre and Polymer
4.3.3 High Fibre-Filled Composites
4.3.4 Dynamic Mechanical Properties, Temperature and Creep Behaviour
4.3.5 Water Absorption
4.3.6 Recycling and Reprocessing
4.3.7 Accelerated Environmental Tests
References

5 MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES FOR BIOPOLYMERS
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Manufacturing Methods
5.2.1 Spinning and Fibre Production
5.2.2 Extrusion and Compounding
5.2.3 Injection Moulding
5.2.4 Thermoset Injection Moulding
5.2.5 Film Blowing
5.2.6 Calendering and Coating
5.2.7 Blow Moulding
5.2.8 Thermoforming
5.2.9 Compression Moulding
5.2.10 Pultrusion
5.2.11 RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) and RIM (Reaction Injection Moulding)
5.3 Processing Conditions
5.4 Additives or Admixtures
5.4.1 Plasticisers
5.4.2 Fillers
5.4.3 Flame Retardants
5.4.4 Lubricants
5.4.5 Colorants
5.4.6 Blowing (Foaming) Agents
5.4.7 Crosslinkers
5.4.8 Biocides and Antimicrobials
References

6 THE ECONOMICS AND MARKET POTENTIAL FOR LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT POLYMERS
6.1 Introduction
6.2 A Brief History of Biopolymers
6.3 Market Size
6.4 Classifications and Costs of Biopolymers
6.5 Current Uses of Biopolymers
6.6 Driving Forces
6.7 Political
6.7.1 Legislation
6.7.2 Government Initiatives
6.8 Economic
6.8.1 Increased Disposal Costs
6.8.2 Increased Competition
6.8.3 Polluter Pays
6.8.4 The Rising Costs of Finite Resources
6.9 Social