“…In this context, the use of natural fibers and particles for the production of polymer-based composites has received great importance [4,5]; in particular, bio-derived fibers, such as cotton [6], flax [7], or jute [8], have been embedded in several polymeric matrices, showing the potential to substitute the fillers traditionally used in polymer composites, also due to their advantageous price–volume–performance relationships [9,10]. However, because of the low thermal stability of natural fibers [11], their use in polymer-based composites has been often problematic; in fact, the degradation of bio-derived fillers occurs in the temperature range typical of polymer processing, and this feature limits the choice of the polymer matrix and significantly limits a successful processing of the composites [12,13]. Additionally, natural fibers show poor compatibility with most polymers, therefore chemical and/or physical treatments of their surface are often mandatory to enhance the polymer/filler interface [14,15]; lastly, a further drawback of bio-derived fibers refers to their high hydrophobicity which restricts their incorporation in moisture sensitive polymeric matrices [16].…”