63. Introduction to Biothermoplastics from Renewable Resources

Biothermoplastics are considered to be those developed using polymers that are derived from renewable resources. Figure 63.1 lists some of the biopolymers obtained from bioresources, their structure and routes used to synthesize the biopolymers. In some cases such as poly(lactic acid), the entire polymer is derived from renewable resource whereas in the case of poly(trimethylene terephthalate), only one of the monomer is from an renewable resource [12Che]. As seen in Fig. 63.1, traditional synthetic polymers such as polypropylene (PP) have also been derived using biopolymers but have not been commercialized due to high cost and limitations in processing and properties. Properties of a few selected biopolymers are listed in Tables 63.1 and 63.2.