Mehmet Melikoğlu
The escalating global environmental crisis driven by conventional plastic pollution necessitates a shift towards sustainable material alternatives. This review comprehensively examines recent advancements in biopolymer production, highlighting their pivotal role in fostering a sustainable bioeconomy. The paper first synthesizes research on resource recovery, demonstrating how diverse biomass and waste streams are transformed into valuable biopolymer feedstock, aligning with principles of resource circularity. It then delves into breakthroughs in production processes and strain optimization, detailing innovations in microbial and algal biotechnologies for enhanced biopolymer synthesis. Subsequent discussion focuses on critical developments in process design, modeling, and catalysis, essential for improving efficiency and scalability. The review further explores the expanding array of applications and functional properties of biopolymers across various sectors, including sustainable packaging, biomedical devices, environmental remediation, and energy solutions. Finally, the paper outlines future research directions, emphasizing strategies for reducing production costs, precisely tailoring material properties, and fully integrating biopolymers into closed-loop economic models. This holistic analysis underscores the transformative potential of biopolymers as high-performing, ecologically responsible materials, advocating for continued interdisciplinary efforts to accelerate their widespread adoption and contribute to a greener, more resilient industrial landscape.