ABSTRACT
Global warming, the growing awareness of environmental and waste management issues, dwindling fossil resources, and rising oil prices are some of the reasons why green products are increasingly being promoted for sustainable development. These green products, such as starchy and cellulosic polymers, have been used for thousands of years for food, furniture, and clothing. But it is only in the past two decades that they have experienced a renaissance, with substantial commercial production. For example, many old processes have been reinvestigated, such as the chemical dehydration of ethanol to produce green ethylene and therefore green polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, and other plastics.
