Most of the present-day polymers are the synthetic materials. Even though we cant imagine modern production without them, we should realize that their biocompatibility and biodegradability are very limited in nature.
Natural polymers have a great advantage compared to the synthetic compounds as these are available in large quantities worldwide, and they are environmentally friendly.
Chitin, Chitosan and Alginate, present in crustaceans and algaes, are examples of natural polymers. Instead of treating these by-products as waste, they may be used in several types of applications, making industry more environmentally friendly. Water treatment is a great example on an application where natural polymers have shown several positive effects on both water quality and sludge production.
On the following pages you will find some information about each of the mentioned polymers.