**1. Introduction**

The worldwide production of non-renewable textiles has increased, and textile producer are searching for solutions to overcome the waste problem [1]. There is a new generation of bio- textile materials based on petroleum, animal sources or agricultural [2] with a reasonable solution [3]. Micro-organisms (such as fungi and bacteria) broke down the biopolymers in the environment; such as a cotton fiber [4].

**Table 1** [5] illustrates how degradation results are dependent on biodegradation type, the converted substrate, and residue makeup, with full degradation. Biodegradation happens within the biosphere, the organic chemicals are changed to simpler compounds and mineralized.

Researchers have established many standardized testing procedures for the evaluation of the compost-ability and biodegradability of polymers using mixed cultures [6–11]. Others have studied the effects of blend ratios on the degradation process on biopolymers [12–14]. The life cycle analysis is one of the methods simulating the development of biopolymers, with green fibers having a shorter life cycle than those that are oil-based. A green life cycle is given in **Figure 1** [15].


#### **Table 1.**

*Degradation results depending on biodegradation type [5].*

**Figure 1.** *Life cycle of compos-table biodegradable fibers [15].*

Biodegradable polymers are smart polymers which are currently being used in many fields such as tissue culturing, biomedical, agriculture, food and intelligent textiles [16, 17]. Considering environmental hazards [18], the main factors controlling the market scope and size of biodegradable polymers are material properties and cost [19]. Plasticizers are added to biopolymers during the extrusion process to decrease the intermolecular hydrogen bonds, to limit microbial growth, and to stabilize product properties [20]. The degradation rate of blended bio-polymers set the degradability of the produced mix [21]. Bio-materials take a key role in the of nanotechnology improvement as friendly materials. Nanomaterials have attracted considerable attention in medical delivery applications [22]. Classification and composition of biodegradable polymers will be briefly discussed; their applications in modern bio-textiles as well as textiles. Furthermore, modeling of biopolymers' melt spinning process and factorial experimental design, optimization of the production processes for intelligent bio-fibers via statistical experimental design (SED), forecasting program for the fiber extrusion, as well as the future applications of biodegradable polymers in the modern textiles industry are also presented.

Electro-spinning of biopolymers has gained substantial attention in the last two decades, triggered mainly by the potential applications of electro-spun nanofibers in nanoscience and nanotechnology for tissue engineering [23]. Tissue engineering is a advanced technology, electrically conductive biodegradable composites are used in tissue engineering and bioelectronics [24].

#### **2. Biodegradable polymers, classification and composition**

Biopolymers are made from the agro-polymers (starch and cellulose), or are obtained by microbial production such as the polyhydroxyalkanoates. In polyhydroxybutyrate production, sugarcane, mustard, switch grass and corn have been recognized as candidates for genetic modification. Some polyhydroxybutyrate types polymerized chemically from agro-resources or chemical synthesis [25]. Classification of biopolymers and their origins are listed in **Table 2** [3].

*Characterization, Modeling and the Production Processes of Biopolymers in the Textiles Industry DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96864*

Biodegradable polymers are produced from aliphatic (linear) highly amorphous, flexible polymers and aromatic rings semi-crystalline, rigid polymers. The classification, development and synthesis of the main bio-based polymer types from biomass and microbial production, or from renewable resources are listed in **Figure 2** [26, 27]. Aliphatic-aromatic copolymers can be synthesized and used in biomedical and agricultural applications by employing non-woven technology to produce products such as disposable wipes, refuse bags, seed mats and erosion control items [28, 29].


#### **Table 2.**

*Classification of biopolymers [3].*

#### **Figure 2.**

*Classification and development of bio-based polymers [26, 27]. PCL – polycaprolactone; PBS – polybutylene succinate; PTT– polytrimethyleneterephthalate; PBSA – polybutylene succinate adipate; PHH – polyhydroxyhexanoate; AAC – Aliphatic-Aromatic Co-polyesters; PHV – polyhydroxyvalerate; PET – polyethylene terephthalate; PLA – polylactic acid; PBAT – polybutylene adipate/ terephthalate; PHA – polyhydroxyalkanoates; PTMAT– polyethylene adipate/terephthalate; PHB – polyhydroxybutyrate (type of PHA); PBT– polybutylene succinate; PHBV, PHBHx- types of PHA; PUR– polyurethanes.*
