Polylactic Acid: A Practical Guide for the Processing, Manufacturing, and Applications of PLA, Second Edition, provides a practical guide for engineers and scientists working in PLA and on the development of emerging new products. The current market situation for PLA and biodegradable polymers is described, along with applications across a range of market sectors. In addition, the mechanical, chemical, thermal, rheology and degradation properties are included. Updates include new chapters covering various processing methods, as well as recycling methods, and additives and processing aids. New applications cover a range of products (including 3D Printing), and an environmental assessment, including regulatory aspects. The book is not only a useful introduction to this topic, but also a practical, readily applicable reference book that will support decision-making in the plastics industry.

Plastics and Sustainability: Practical Approaches provides a broad overview of sustainability as applied to plastics, offering a range of opportunities and solutions to be applied in an academic or industrial setting. The book begins by introducing the challenges and opportunities relating to plastics and environmental sustainability. This is followed by detailed eco-profiles organized by polymer category. Subsequent chapters explore various approaches to plastics sustainability, with in-depth coverage of incineration technology for energy recovery, pyrolysis for chemical recovery, blending technology, design, packaging, circular economy, and biopolymers. Finally, international policies are summarized. The book aims to provide a broad source of information and a range of options to readers on how to evaluate and improve the sustainability of plastics, with analyses of the advantages and drawbacks of different technologies and materials. Authored by two professional engineers with substantial experience in industry and consultancy, this is a valuable resource for all those looking for a wide-ranging overview of sustainability as applied to plastics, including researchers and advanced students from a range of materials science and engineering disciplines, and engineers, manufacturers, scientists, and R&D professionals from a range of industries.