ABSTRACT
Abstract: Concerns on environmental issues have increased in the last decade, while the continuous uctuations in fuel prices have conditioned the research and development of new bio-based materials to be used in food packaging. In this context, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a biodegradable polymer that exhibits good mechanical properties and biocompatibility to be used as packaging material, being also degraded by microorganisms. In the present chapter, the main synthesis and commercial production routes of PCL are described. Also, its biodegradability and current applications focused on the development of lms and bags are reported.
