Elsevier Compostable Polymer Materials

Product Description Compostable Polymer Materials, Second Edition deals with the environmentally important family of polymers designed to be disposed of in industrial and municipal compost facilities. The book covers the entire spectrum of preparation, properties, degradation and environmental issues related to compostable polymers, emphasizing recent studies concerning composability and ecotoxicological assessment of polymer materials, important issues from an ecological perspective, and their thermal behaviors. As environmental concerns and legislative measures taken in different regions of the world make composting an increasingly attractive route for the disposal of redundant polymers, this book details the evolution of the science over the past decade. Discussions include an estimation of the market and future perspectives, making it an essential resource for graduate students and scientists working in chemistry, materials science, ecology and environmental science. Provides a comprehensive study of the composting process Details methods of compost preparation, including properties, processing and applications Presents the state-of-the-art on ecotoxicity testing and polymers studies Discusses waste management's evolution in Europe, the United States and China, as well as future perspectives Review Comprehensive reference on polymers designed to cut waste and contribute to a sustainable environment About the Author Professor Ewa Rudnik works at the Faculty of Fire Engineering, The Main School of Fire Service, Warsaw, Poland. Professor Rudnik is actively engaged in the dissemination of new knowledge concerning the biodegradation behavior and mechanisms of specific polymers in soil and under composting conditions. In 2002, she carried out the study as a research guest at GSF- National Research Center for Environment and Health in Neuherberg/Munich (Germany). Additionally, Professor Rudnik was a Marie Curie Fellow at the Agricultural University of Athens in the research group of Professor Demetres Briassoulis. Professor Rudnik’s publications address important issues related to environmental safety, including 1 monography, 3 book chapters, publications, seminars, and lectures aimed at scientists and students, as well as people interested in the fields of ecology and environmental science.