Applied Plastics Engineering Handbook: Processing, Sustainability, Materials, and Applications, Third Edition presents the fundamentals of plastics engineering, helping bring readers up-to-speed on new plastics, materials, processing and technology. This revised and expanded edition includes the latest developments in plastics, including areas such as biodegradable and biobased plastics, plastic waste, smart polymers, and 3D printing. Sections cover traditional plastics, elastomeric materials, bio-based materials, additives, colorants, fillers and plastics processing, including various key technologies, plastic recycling and waste. The final part of the book examines design and applications, with substantial updates made to reflect advancements in technology, regulations, and commercialization. Throughout the handbook, the focus is on engineering aspects of producing and using plastics. Properties of plastics are explained, along with techniques for testing, measuring, enhancing, and analyzing them. Practical introductions to both core topics and new developments make this work equally valuable for newly qualified plastics engineers seeking the practical rules-of-thumb they don't teach you in school and experienced practitioners evaluating new technologies or getting up-to-speed in a new field. - Offers an ideal reference for new engineers, experienced practitioners and researchers entering a new field or evaluating a new technology - Provides an authoritative source of practical advice, presenting guidance that will lead to cost savings and process improvements - Includes the latest technology, covering 3D printing, smart polymers and thorough coverage of biobased and biodegradable plastics