Biocomposites: technology, environmental credentials and market forces

Abstract

Biocomposites offer a significant non-food market for crop-derived fibres and resins. Considerable growth has been seen in the use of biocomposites in the automotive and decking markets over the past decade or so, but application in other sectors has hitherto been limited. Nevertheless, with suitable development, the potential exists for biocomposites to enter new markets and thus stimulate an increase in demand for non-food crops. This paper reviews some of the technological challenges being faced in bringing these materials to a wider market together with potential solutions, as well as discussing market forces influencing their commercial uptake.

Bio polyetherurethane composites with high content of natural ingredients: hydroxylated soybean oil based polyol, bio glycol and microcrystalline cellulose

“…The main factors influencing the intensive development in the field of composite materials are the expansion of businesses using these materials, technological development, a significant potential for the improvement of produced composites, and better production efficiency (Mówczyński 2012). Moreover, the application of specially grown plants that cannot be used for human consumption also helps in the development of composites as well as the sustainable development of industry and agriculture (Fowler et al 2006). For many years, the use of wood-derived raw materials such as wood powder and wood fibers, or cellulose and lignin for reinforcing polymeric materials has been a continuously developing trend in materials science research.…”

Mechanical Properties and Life-Cycle Sustainability Aspects of Natural Fibre

“…Fibres are elongated cells with tapering ends and very thick lignified cell wall [5]. Fibre dimensions of the various individual cells are were found to be dependent on the type of species, location and maturity of the plant.…”

“…Those with low cellulose contents crack, causing intracellular fracture with the removal of micro fibrils. The factors that affect elongation of a fibre can be attributed to the orientation, high degree of crystallisation and the angle of the micro fibrils with respect to the axis of the fibre [5].…”

Microstructure, Mechanical, and Thermogravimetric Characterization of Cellulosic By-Products Obtained from Biomass Seeds

“…In this sense, the wood structure found in nature is well known and their architecture and chemical characteristics are published elsewhere [7] . Materials from wood origin are composed of three main cell wall polymers: cellulose, lignin and matrix polysaccharides (pectins and hemicelluloses) [4] . Wood structure is basically resumed by tubes of crystalline cellulose linked by means of an amorphous phase composed by hemicelluloses and lignin.…”

“…Cellulosic materials coming from renewable resources obtained from agricultural industries have gain importance as potentially reinforcement elements of biodegradable thermoplastic materials [3][4][5] . Moreover, crop-derived biomass is considered as one of the most promising renewable resources to substitute petrol-based materials [6] .…”