Natural polymers are very widespread in the world, which is why it is so important to know about the possibilities of their use. Chitin is the second most abundant reproducible natural polymer in nature; however, it is insoluble in water and basic solvents. Chitin is an unused waste of the food industry, for which there are possibilities of secondary management. The research led to obtaining a soluble, environmentally friendly form of chitin, which has found potential applications in the many fields, e.g., medicine, cosmetics, food and textile industries, agriculture, etc. The deacetylated form of chitin, which is chitosan, has a number of beneficial properties and wide possibilities of modification. Modification possibilities mean that we can obtain chitosan with the desired functional properties, facilitating, for example, the processing of this polymer and expanding the possibilities of its application, also as biomimetic materials. The review contains a rich description of the possibilities of modifying chitin and chitosan and the main directions of their application, and life cycle assessment (LCA)—from the source of the polymer through production materials to various applications with the reduction of waste.

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Polymeric products enriched with natural additives e.g. hyaluronic acid, plant hydrolates or collagen may find a wide application avenue due to the ever-growing demand for natural cosmetics. The ecology of cosmetics is equally important. Therefore, in the work presented a biodegradable nonwoven was prepared with natural components as an active layer for cosmetic application. Synthesied was the biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester: poly (1.4 butylene succinate-co-glutarate-co-adipate-co-terephtalate). suitable for the forming of spunbond nonwoven. The active layer was deposited by padding on basic nonwoven. Assessed were microbiological and mechanical properties as well as the in- compost decomposition of the product. Activity against S. aureus and E. coli was tested and microbiological purity estimated. The best serviceable composition of the active layer was selected based on the microbiological properties tested. It contains sodium hialuronate, plant hydrolate of the bitter orange (Neroli), and collagen. Thanks to good mechanical properties, nonwoven made of aliphatic-aromatic co-polyester may serve as a carrier of the cosmetic layer in applications like face masks.

Textile products enriched with natural substances, e.g. hyaluronic acid, plant hydrolates, collagen and chitosan, may find wide application in cosmetics because of increasing consumer interest in natural products. Furthermore, in view of global environmental pollution, products that are produced through biochemical changes as a result of composting are sought. This makes it possible to enter such designed cosmetic products into the scheme of the currently desired circular economy. Compostable textiles are an ecological alternative to product backlogs and polluting the environment in the form of post-consumer waste. Therefore, this research work developed a technology for applying natural substances on a biodegradable polyester fibrous substrate. This study developed the optimal composition of a mixture consisting of natural substances with properties applicable to the cosmetic industry, for applications such as cosmetic masks to improve the appearance of the skin. The composition of active substances that have beneficial effects on the skin, e.g. moisturizing, regenerating, antibacterial and caring, was determined. The mixture was effectively applied on a spunbound nonwoven substrate of made from aliphatic-aromatic copolyester by impregnation. The employed polymer degraded in a compost environment and its modifiers additionally supported this process. The unique composition of the applied coating layer consisted of a mixture of sodium hyaluronate, collagen, bitter orange blossom hydrolate (Neroli) and chitosan lactate. The coated nonwoven fabric was subjected to physical, mechanical, microbiological as well as chemical purity and structural tests (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy) and degree of degradation in a compost environment was assessed on the basis of its weight loss.