This Special Issue will focus on bio-based materials, which are a type of sustainable materials that are biodegradable and created from biomass. Materials have often only included advancements, such as plastic, synthetic fibers, and fossil fuels, which at the time, enhanced cost, performance, and convenience. However, there is a need to address the damage that these conventional materials cause to the environment. Recent advancements in the sustainability field have demonstrated their ability to not only reverse this adverse effect but also positively affect the environment. As biotechnology and biomass are widely used in the production of goods, energy, and resources, our economy will soon transition to a bioeconomy. Corporations must commit to using bio-based, reusable, and biodegradable products and take a stand against the utilization of single-use plastic for this to become a reality.

Cleaner manufacturing techniques, renewable resources, and products are offered by bio-based materials. They provide a practical strategy for addressing pressing global requirements, such as lowering dependency on petroleum in a sustainable fashion, on the necessary scale, and with the available resources. All throughout the world, consumers, governments, and investors are realizing this. The main goal of the Issue is the collection of papers on the following topics: 

• Green and sustainable products
• Biobased products
• Distribution, use, and application
• End of life of products
• End-of-waste criteria
• Recycling and circulation
• Circular Economy
• Waste and energy flows
• Alternative energy sources
• Social and environmental protection
• Bio-circular economy
• Material recovery
• Material flow analysis
• Natural based solution
• Life cycle assessment

Guest Editor: Dr Antonis Zorpas, Open University of Cyprus, Cyprus
Guest Editor: Dr Irene Voukkali, Open University of Cyprus, Cyprus
Guest Editor: Mrs Iliana Papamichael, Open University of Cyprus, Cyprus