Biopolymers towards Sustainable Development

Sustainability in its economic, environmental, and social dimensions is among the most widely discussed topics by the scientific community, government and regulatory bodies, and civil society organizations at both international and national platforms. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations (UN) Member States, identifies 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets that address critical social, environmental, and economic challenges at the global level while emphasizing their implementation at national and local scales. The sustainability of agri-food sectors, including agriculture, livestock, and the agri-food industry, is closely linked to several SDGs.

In this context, considering sustainable development and the SDGs as fundamental pillars for societal progress (UN, 2015), the proposed book series entitled "Biopolymers towards Sustainable Development" has been conceptualized to address the scientific and academic gaps in this important field. The series aims to serve as a valuable resource and reference for contemporary research, innovations, and technological advancements in the utilization of food and agricultural wastes for the development of biopolymer-based sustainable food packaging systems.

The proposed series is expected to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments, current status, and future trends in sustainable food packaging systems and their contributions toward achieving the 2030 Agenda and associated SDGs. The series comprises five volumes. These volumes collectively present the fundamental principles, recent advances, and emerging trends in the utilization of biopolymers derived from plant, animal, microbial, and marine sources for the development of biodegradable food packaging materials. Furthermore, they highlight the role of such sustainable packaging solutions in reducing food losses and waste throughout the food supply chain.

This book series will serve as an important reference for undergraduate and postgraduate students, research scholars, teachers, scientists, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other stakeholders interested in the rapidly evolving field of sustainable food packaging and biopolymer technologies.