Recent advances in the elaboration of polymeric materials derived from biomass components

This paper outlines a selected number of topics related to ongoing research activities of our laboratory in the field of polymers from renewable resources. Firstly, the use of polysaccharides is discussed both in the context of film-forming polymer electrolytes and of surface chemical modification of cellulosic fibres. The second aspect concerns the synthesis of polyesters and polyurethanes based on lignins of various origins. A large section is then devoted to novel furanic polymers and oligomers possessing special properties, and to the application of the Diels–Alder reaction to modify reversibly the architecture of macromolecules bearing furan rings. Finally, the use of modified vegetable oils as diluents in printing ink formulations and the investigation of the composition and possible exploitation of suberin are briefly discussed.