Biorelated Polymers: Sustainable Polymer Science and Technology

Application of polymers from renewable resources - also identified as biopolymers - has a large potential market due to the current emphasis on sustainable technology. For optimal R&D achievements and hence benefits from these market opportunities, it is essential to combine the expertise available in the vast range ofdifferent disciplines in biopolymer science and technology. The International Centre of Biopolymer Technology - ICBT - has been created with support from the European Commission to facilitate co­ operation and the exchange of scientific knowledge between industries, universities and other research groups. One of the activities to reach these objectives, is the organisation ofa conference on Biopolymer Technology. In September 1999, the first international conference on Biopolymer Technology was held in Coimbra, Portugal. Because of its success - both scientifically and socially - and because ofthe many contacts that resulted in exchange missions or other ICBT activities, it was concluded that a second conference on Biopolymer Technology was justified. This second conference was held in Ischia, Italy in October 2000. And again, the scientific programme contained a broad spectrum ofpresentations in a range of fields such as biopolymer synthesis, modification, technology, applications, material testing and analytical methods.