Valorization of Agro-Industrial By-Products in the Development of Bio-Polymer Films, Biodegradable Plasticulture, and Intelligent Food-Packaging Materials

The increasing environmental impact of petroleum-based plastics has intensified the need for renewable, biodegradable, active, and intelligent materials for food packaging and agricultural plasticulture. This review critically analyzes the potential to valorize agro-industrial by-products and underutilized biomass to produce functional biodegradable materials by extracting biopolymers, reinforcing fillers, bioactive compounds, and natural pigments. Particular emphasis is placed on starch-rich and fructan-rich crops, such as cassava, potato, sweet potato, and Jerusalem artichoke, or topinambur (Helianthus tuberosus), which are potential raw materials for the manufacture of biodegradable films, coatings, and agricultural mulches. The multifunctional use of yerba-mate residues (Ilex paraguariensis) as reinforcement fillers, antioxidant additives, and pH-responsive components in biopolymer composites is also discussed. Rosehip (Rosa rubiginosa), Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), and Jerusalem artichoke are also described as sources of polysaccharides, dietary fibers, phenolic compounds, and natural colorants that can enhance the mechanical, barrier, antioxidant, and functional properties of the biodegradable materials. Recent developments are discussed, including freshness-monitoring packaging systems containing pH-sensitive anthocyanins extracted from red cabbage and the promising application of pigments from Jerusalem artichoke flowers. In addition, the review identifies the main challenges for industrial application, such as mechanical and barrier performance, moisture sensitivity, the instability of natural pigments and bioactive compounds, and the control of biodegradability. It also highlights challenges related to food safety control, regulatory compliance, raw-material availability, and scalability. In general, agro-industrial biomass valorization, combined with biodegradable polymer processing, active capabilities, and intelligent sensing technologies, offers a promising path toward partially replacing conventional plastics and improving resource efficiency in sustainable food-packaging and plasticulture systems integrated into a circular bioeconomy. Unlike many previous reviews, which treat biodegradable food packaging, intelligent packaging, and agricultural mulch film as separate research fields, this review integrates these applications into a unified circular-bioeconomy approach based on agro-industrial biomass valorization. It presents a unique approach that compares feedstock composition, processing needs, material and functional properties, application suitability, and industrial viability with regard to food-packaging systems and plasticulture systems. In this review, the authors connect biodegradable structural materials and their active and intelligent functions with end-of-life requirements for specific applications. This combined perspective for developing multifunctional agro-waste-derived materials offers better chances for industrial translation.