Introduction

The global plastic crisis, marked by over 460 million tons of annual production and only 9% effective recycling, has accelerated the need for sustainable alternatives to petrochemical-based polymers. Eco-friendly polymers, including biopolymers, geopolymers, and smart/stimuli-responsive polymers, offer a viable path toward reducing environmental impact, supporting the circular economy, and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Their application spans diverse industries such as electronics, packaging, automotive, aerospace, construction, and biomedical engineering.

Methods

This paper adopts a data-driven review approach, synthesizing recent academic literature, market data, and regulatory frameworks from 2018 to 2024. It focuses on the classification, sources, processing technologies, lifecycle assessments (LCAs), and performance metrics of eco-friendly polymers. Particular attention is given to bio-based polymers (e.g., PLA, PHAs), geopolymers derived from industrial waste (e.g., fly ash, slag), and smart polymers responsive to environmental stimuli (e.g., temperature, pH).

Results

Biopolymers such as PLA and PHAs are widely adopted in packaging, accounting for 38.58% of the biopolymer market revenue in 2023. Their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and versatility support their use in food, cosmetics, and biomedical applications. Geopolymers show high mechanical performance and thermal resistance, making them suitable for construction. Smart polymers enable drug delivery and biosensor applications but face limitations related to response time and stability. Across categories, major challenges include high production costs (20–100% higher than conventional plastics), limited infrastructure for biodegradation and recycling, and regulatory inconsistencies.

Conclusions

Eco-friendly polymers demonstrate significant potential to replace conventional plastics in both high-performance and consumer applications. Their success, however, hinges on overcoming scalability issues, enhancing end-of-life management, and standardizing environmental performance through frameworks such as REACH, TSCA, and ISO 14040/14044. Future progress will depend on interdisciplinary innovation, green chemistry integration, AI-assisted lifecycle assessments, and policy support to enable broader commercialization and a more sustainable material economy.