Rainer Höfer
Academic career: Dr. rer. nat. in Inorganic Chemistry and Biochemisty Georg-August Universität zu GöttingenMaître de Conférences
Address: Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Address: Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
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Papers by Rainer Höfer
The term green polymer chemistry emerged later when chemically designed green plastics or bioplastics where still an issue of
research and experimental production - and well knowing that Nature has permanently provided mankind with green
polymers and polymer composites as part of evolution. Bio-based plastics have been identified as a potential alternative to
conventional plastics because of the use of renewable resources as feedstock, therefore enabling a shift from a fossil economy
to a bioeconomy. Deviating from the traditional linear economy model based on a “take-make-consume-throw away”
approach of resources (i.e., resources are extracted, and products are produced; products are used until they are discarded and
disposed of as waste) in the circular economy, the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible. The
model minimizes and reuses waste and resources during manufacture, and when a product reaches the end of its life, it is
used again to create further value. In the end-of-life-scenario, biodegradable or compostable bioplastics offer additional
disposal options with regards to aerobic and anaerobic digestion. Green polymers in a circular economy thus encourage
sustainability in the long term. The different interconnecting and sometimes overlapping terms in the field of Green
Chemistry, Green Polymer Chemistry, Sustainability, and Circular Economy will be addressed and explained.
The term green polymer chemistry emerged later when chemically designed green plastics or bioplastics where still an issue of
research and experimental production - and well knowing that Nature has permanently provided mankind with green
polymers and polymer composites as part of evolution. Bio-based plastics have been identified as a potential alternative to
conventional plastics because of the use of renewable resources as feedstock, therefore enabling a shift from a fossil economy
to a bioeconomy. Deviating from the traditional linear economy model based on a “take-make-consume-throw away”
approach of resources (i.e., resources are extracted, and products are produced; products are used until they are discarded and
disposed of as waste) in the circular economy, the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible. The
model minimizes and reuses waste and resources during manufacture, and when a product reaches the end of its life, it is
used again to create further value. In the end-of-life-scenario, biodegradable or compostable bioplastics offer additional
disposal options with regards to aerobic and anaerobic digestion. Green polymers in a circular economy thus encourage
sustainability in the long term. The different interconnecting and sometimes overlapping terms in the field of Green
Chemistry, Green Polymer Chemistry, Sustainability, and Circular Economy will be addressed and explained.