ABSTRACT
Wastes from plastics have become a worldwide environmental problem, not only in developed countries but also in developing countries. Production of biodegradable polymers is now widely expected to contribute to the solution of the problem, since biodegradable polymers would enter the material cycles in the environment. Biobased polymers including synthetic polymers derived from renewable resources and biopolymers are quickly rising in their significance. However, practical products from biodegradable polymers are limited in scope for usage as film and sheet materials, since the mechanical properties of these polymers are similar to those of commodity polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene.
