Biopolymers
Viewpoints
2023
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February:
Biologics Receive Market Approval for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
2022
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December/January:
2022: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2023 -
November:
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2021
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December/January:
2021: The Year in Review
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March:
Biopolymers from Palm-Tree Waste
Biopolymers Development: Necessary Resources -
February:
Synthetic Biology and the Covid-19 Pandemic
Biopolymers Development: Synergistic Technologies
Archived Viewpoints
2020
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December/January:
2020: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2021 -
November:
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October:
Delivering Biologics
Drug-Delivery Opportunities for Biopolymers -
September:
Trehalulose Sugar
Big Picture: Biopolymers in Healthful Diets -
August:
Wood-Based Solar Steam Generator
Biopolymer Opportunities in Industrial Applications -
July:
Ethylene-Degrading Cellulosic Materials
Opportunities in Food Packaging -
June:
The Pandemic Crisis: Scenarios for the Future of Health Care
Scenarios Presentation: The Pandemic Crisis: Scenarios for the Future of Technology Development
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May:
The Pandemic Crisis: Key Forces That Will Shape the Future of Health Care
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April:
Chitin and Alginate Threads for Medical Applications
Big Picture: Biopolymers in Tissue Engineering -
March:
Edible Protein Tag for Fighting Counterfeit Drugs
DNA Testing on Embryos -
February:
The Threat of Greenwashing
Low-Cost Purification Process for Protein Therapeutics
2019
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December/January:
2019: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2020 -
November:
Synthetic Biology Enables Computer-Generated Genome
Noninvasively Reshaping Collagen-Based Tissue -
October:
Simulation Technology for Biopharmaceuticals Production
Bioinspired Nanocellulose-Based Macrofibers -
September:
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August:
Speeding Up Biotechnology Approvals
Short-Fiber-Reinforced Cellulose Composites -
July:
Monitoring the Health and Performance of Soldiers
New USDA Rule for Genetically Engineered Plants -
June:
Enzyme for Rare-Sugar Production
3D Printing Cellulose Materials -
May:
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April:
Microbiome-Based Agricultural Technologies
The Patent Battle for Long-Read DNA Sequencing: Is the End in Sight? -
March:
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February:
Area to Monitor: Biohacking
3D Printing Lignin Biocomposites
2018
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December/January:
2018: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2019 -
November:
Screening for Peptides with Antimicrobial Activity
Synthetic-Silk Composites for the Aerospace Industry -
October:
Engineered Pig Lungs on Collagen Scaffolds
Progress in Biobased Food Packaging -
September:
23andMe and GSK's Partnership: The Price of Personalized Medicine
Peptide-Based Flu Vaccine -
August:
Critical Review of Biodegradability of Plastics
Unidirectionally Aligned Cellulose Nanofibrils -
July:
Novel Protein Therapeutics Receive EMA Approval
Lignin-Derived Chemical Solvents -
June:
Patent Settlement in DNA Sequencing
Recycled PLA's Competitive Edge -
May:
CRISPR and Weak Links in Science
Modified Silk for Biomedical Applications -
April:
Polyketides Production
Developments in Biomimetic Biopolymers -
March:
In-Air Microfluidics to Produce Biomaterials
Converting Carbon Dioxide into Bioplastics -
February:
Bioprocesses for Biodegrading and Recycling Plastics
AI-Driven Design and Development of Biotech Products
2017
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December/January:
2017: The Year in Review
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November:
Digital Biotechnology
3D Printing Nanocellulose and Carbon-Nanotube Microfibers -
October:
Producing Biologics with Fungal Cells
Bioplastics from Human Waste -
September:
Antimicrobial Peptides: A Solution to Antimicrobial Resistance?
Carbon Fibers from Waste Lignin -
August:
Hybrid Spider-Silk Fibers
Welding High-Strength, 3D-Printed Bioplastics -
July:
Alginate and Gelatin Enhance Viability of Probiotics
Low-Cost D-Lactic Acid for PLA Production -
June:
DuPont Pioneer's CRISPR Project with Caribou Biosciences
Whey Nanofibrils for Tackling Iron Deficiency -
May:
Dual-Purpose Engineered Sugarcane
The Easy Switch to Sustainable Products -
April:
Bioplastics from Glycerol Biowaste
How Chitosan Promotes Cellular Immunity -
March:
Bioplastics: A Key Part of the EU Strategy on the Circular Economy
3D Printing Biopolyethylene in Space -
February:
Carbon-Nanotube-Based Diagnostic Chip
Bioplastics: Say Cheese!
2016
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December/January:
2016: The Year in Review
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November:
Star-Shape Antimicrobials
Industrial Production of Biobased Isobutene -
October:
On-Demand Production of Personalized Biopharmaceuticals
Harvesting Energy from Biowaste -
September:
Bioplastic Automotive Components
Levoglucosan: Better Building Blocks for Biobased Products? -
August:
Crioprotective Biopolymers
Nanocellulose-Based Artificial Tissues -
July:
Progress in the Peptide-Therapeutics Industry
Automating DNA Origami -
June:
Clay Nanotube-Biopolymer Scaffolds
Measuring Temperature at the Nanoscale -
May:
Guayule Latex Soon to Hit the Road
Alginate Enhances Polyurethane for Tissue Engineering -
April:
Could Microbes Help Dispose of Plastic?
Food Additives Linked to Gut Disorders -
March:
Chitosan and Amino Acids in Sunscreen
A Cellulose Alternative to Styrofoam -
February:
2015
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December/January:
2015: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2016 -
November:
Fibers from Old Bones and Undrinkable Milk
Biomedical Applications for a Protein-Based Hydrogel -
October:
Assembling Superlattices Using DNA Tethers
Reducing Costs in PLA Production -
September:
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August:
Bioactive Silk for Ink-Jet Printing
Alginate Hydrogel Clicks -
July:
Flexible Nanocellulose Battery
A Novel Biopolymer Competes with Xanthan -
June:
Albumin Makes an Antibacterial Plastic
A Novel Process for Manufacturing Cellulosic Fiber -
May:
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April:
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March:
Surface-Structured Cellulose Nanofiber Materials
Bioplastics and 3D Printing -
February:
How a Fungal Biopolymer May Aid Oil Extraction
Biopolymers Aid Therapeutics' Delivery to the Brain
2014
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December/January:
2014: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2015 -
November:
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October:
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September:
Novel Applications for Nanocellulose
Exploiting the Chitin in Mushrooms -
August:
Applications for Silk Films
Using Marine Resources for Value-Added Products -
July:
Bioplastics: Green Shoots in China?
Innovations in Biopolymers for 3D Manufacturing -
June:
Synthetic Biology: On the Right Track
Green Premium: A Price Worth Paying? -
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2013
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December/January:
2013: The Year in Review
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November:
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July:
Opportunities for Biopolymers in Tissue-Engineering Scaffolds
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2012
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December/January:
2012: The Year in Review
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2011
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December/January:
2011: The Year in Review
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2010
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December/January:
2010: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2011 -
November:
Plastics from Genetically Engineered Organisms
Biopolymers from Alternative Sources -
October:
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September:
Future Direction of the Bioplastic Market
New Bioplastics Sources -
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2009
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December/January:
2009: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2010 -
November:
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August:
Biopolymers for Cardiovascular Applications
Recent Developments: Recent Developments in Nacre -
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2008
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December/January:
2008: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2009 -
November:
Novel Biopolymers and Applications
Developing Feedstocks for Bioprocessing -
October:
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June:
The Importance of Oil Price Rises to Strategies for Developing Biofuels and Bioplastics
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2007
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December/January:
2007: The Year in Review
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2006
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December/January:
2006: The Year in Review
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November:
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October:
Biopolymers in Industrial Applications and Consumer Products
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June:
Making Human Proteins
Recent Developments: Marck Acquires GlycoFi -
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2005
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December/January:
2005: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2006 -
November:
Companies Respond to Consumer Interest in Healthy Food
Costs and Players -
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May:
Impact of Biotechnology on Biopolymers
Recent Developments: "Biodegradable" Regulation -
April:
Impact of Consumer Awareness and Regulation on Development of Bioplastics
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2004
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December/January:
2004: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2005 -
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Structural Support: Protein Hydrogels
Looking Good: Cosmeceuticals -
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Biopolymers in Food Processing
Genetic Modification and Biopolymers -
March:
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2003
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December/January:
2003: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2004 -
November:
Cellulosic Plastics: Can They Regain Some of Their Former Position?
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2002
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December/January:
2002: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2003 -
November:
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August:
Starch
Recent Developments: Lactic Acid to Polypropylene Glycol | Nodax Polymers | Aloe Vera -
July:
Recent Developments: New Plant for Biodegradable Plastics | Celanese and Biopolymers
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2001
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December/January:
2001: The Year in Review
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2000
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December/January:
2000: The Year in Review
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Ups and Downs in Biotechnology
Recent Developments: Plastic from Cargill Dow Polymers -
March:
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Trends in Healthy Eating
Recent Developments: Guayule Latex, Mussel Proteins, Sugar Structure
1999
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December/January:
1999: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2000 -
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Before August 1999, the Explorer service was called TechMonitoring, and Viewpoints were TechLinks.
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1998
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December/January:
1998: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 1999 -
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Combinatorial Material Design
Recent Developments: Dow and Cargill; Biodegradable Plastics -
February:
1997
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December/January:
1997: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 1998 -
November:
Price and Performance Are Keys to Successful Biodegradable Polymers
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1996
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December/January:
1996: The Year in Review
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December/January:
1995: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 1996
About Biopolymers
Biopolymers are polymers that are composed of repeating units of biological origin. In nature, such biopolymers are usually made of repeating units of saccharides, nucleotides, or amino acids. Aside from extracting biopolymers directly from biomass (for example, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, and proteins from cellulose, DNA, and collagen, respectively), scientists have developed ways to produce biopolymers (for example, polylactic acid) from biobased monomers using conventional chemical processes and to produce biopolymers (for example, polyhydroxyalkanoates) directly in microorganisms or genetically modified organisms.
Humans are making use of biopolymers for a variety of applications, including food, furniture, and clothing. In the past 25 years, interest in sustainable products has driven the development of new synthesis routes for the production of biopolymers from renewable feedstocks and biowaste. Biopolymers must compete with existing petroleum-derived polymers not only in their functional properties but also in price. The economic argument for switching away from petroleum-based products is weaker when oil prices are low. Any decreases in oil prices can reduce the cost of many petroleum-based polymers and increase the cost advantages these polymers have over most biopolymers. However, the ethos of renewable and sustainable processing is becoming central to many organizations. Therefore, biopolymers may still be a viable alternative to petroleum-based products at times of low oil prices. These key drivers act as a stimulus for R&D activity in microbiology, genetic engineering, plant sciences, fermentation, and purification technologies.
Natural biopolymers are also becoming established as materials with diverse applications. For example, spider silk has antimicrobial and other desirable properties—such as elasticity, strength, and biocompatibility—that suit applications in medical textiles, medical devices, regenerative medicine, cosmetics and personal-care products, clothing, and military equipment. Chitosan is another readily available biopolymer that has many end uses, from bulk products to pharmaceuticals and personal-care products. Researchers can also turn cellulose into novel materials—including nanocellulose and cellulose foam—that find use in a wide range of applications, from packaging, construction, and electronics to medical products and cosmetics. Novel fibers that show enhanced physical properties such as increased resilience and flexibility will have great potential for use in a broad range of end-user applications. Biopolymers' potential for new business opportunities is a key driver of research activity and investor interest. Manufacturers of biopolymers will likely form partnerships with downstream products' manufacturers to commercialize their biopolymers. Other opportunity areas include industrial, medical, food, consumer-products, and pharmaceutical applications.
Nucleic-acid-based materials are increasingly finding use in a variety of applications, including drug delivery, agriculture, nanoelectronics, biocomputing, and biosensors. Although the technology remains mostly laboratory based, companies should monitor advances in the technology—such as CRISPR—that allow scientists to overcome the lack of fundamental knowledge. These advances may improve the pace of development and reduce the time frame in which opportunities can materialize and commercialization can occur.