Development, influencing parameters and interactions of bioplasticizers: An environmentally friendlier alternative to petro industry-based sources

The current industrial revolution emphasized the necessity to use environmentally friendlier sources and strategies to meet the bio-based economy challenges of the modern world. Owing to the finiteness, human health and environmental impacts of fossil resources, current research efforts are switched to search and develop renewable, sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives of commercial plasticizers to meet the green agenda to establish a green society. The substitution of petroleum-based plasticizers with bioplasticizers offers noteworthy advantages, such as recyclability, biodegradability, high lubricant power, low diffusion coefficients in the polymeric matrix and very low volatility. Moreover, bioplasticizers provide the most suitable platform due to their global availability and industrially-relevant applications. Numerous parameters such as solubility, polarity, and structural compatibility are considered important and can influence the designing of efficient plasticizers. In this context, a plethora of research has given their structural attributes along with their compatibility with different elastomers and plastics. Herein, the valorization of bioplasticizers in several industrial and biotechnological processes is presented with suitable examples. Additionally, it highlights the insight of selection criteria and generalities concerning plasticization theories. A brief discussion is also given on the mechanism of plasticization and modifications, which are being made in the current industrial practices. The description extends towards the design of effective plasticizers with their dependence on structure and how we can improve their performance to the polymer industry.