The irruption of polymers from renewable resources on the scene of macromolecular science and technology

The last few decades have witnessed a spiralling growth of interest in polymers from renewable resources within both the scientific and industrial communities. This review attempts to illustrate this state of affairs through a panoramic overview of recent progress in the most relevant areas related to such materials, including the polymerisation of natural monomers and their derivatives, the exploitation of biopolymers, as such, or after appropriate modifications, as well as the preparation of composites and blends. Because of the sheer size and depth of the field, no attempt has been made here to provide a comprehensive coverage, emphasis being placed instead on conveying the extent and originality of contributions reported in the last few years in important domains like sugars and polysaccharides, vegetable oils, lignin, pine resin derivatives, furans, and a series of other monomers.