ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the history and key features of chitin and chitosans in addition to assessing these second-most abundant polysaccharides as critical ingredients of the bioeconomy and circular economy. Bioeconomy is the world’s response to current critical environmental challenges that are currently being faced globally. It aims to reduce the dependence on natural resources; transform manufacturing; promote sustainable production of renewable resources from land, fisheries, and aquaculture; and convert resources into food, feed, biobased products, and bioenergy while growing new industries. At the core of the bioeconomy are the biorefineries, which sustainably transform biomass into food, feed, chemicals, materials, and bioenergy (fuels, heat, and power). A circular economy seeks to increase the proportion of renewable or recyclable resources and reduce the consumption of raw materials and energy in the economy while, at the same time, protecting the environment by cutting emissions and minimizing material losses.
