ABSTRACT
Green composites based on polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have received considerable attention over the years due to their major advantages of biodegradability and biocompatibility. Green PHA composites are suitable replacements for environmentally unfriendly nonbiodegradable composites. Major applications of PHA-based green composites include biomedical materials, packaging materials, conventional commodity plastics, membrane technology, and in the electronics industry. Green PHA composites can be processed using either melt processing technology or wet processing technology. PHA microcomposites are made by incorporating PHAs with micro fillers. The fillers, largely cellulosic materials such as fibers, are at the micro scale. PHA composites have unique compostability and biodegradability properties that make these composites able to address materials post-use disposal and landfill challenges. Green PHA composites can be explained as PHA biocomposites that are environmentally friendly.
