Introduction

This book aims to summarize progress in the development of sustainable routes for the production of biopolymers and biocomposites for advanced biomedical engineering and pharmaceutical applications. The book will concentrate on the latest developments in the emerging field of lignin valorization which is essentially a waste material from the paper and pulp industry.

Part 1: Overview of Biopolymers

The first part of the book will provide the reader with a general overview of the current trends in biopolymers for bioengineering and why there is such a large requirement for sustainable practices in the biomedical field. We will set this within the context of the UN sustainable development goals and the urgent need to move away from fossil-based materials to alleviate climate change.

Part 2: Applications in Medicine

The second part of the book will focus on areas with the greatest potential for the deployment of sustainable polymers in medicine. Examples include sensors, tissue engineering, drug encapsulation, hydrogels, etc.

Final Section: Life Cycle and Economic Assessment

The final section of the book will include a life cycle analysis (LCA) and a technoeconomic assessment of the transition from fossil to sustainable sources of raw materials.