Natural fibers can be blended with plastics like polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, polylactic acid etc. to make fiber-reinforced plastics composites. Main techniques employed include injection moulding and extrusion, with new processes also being developed. Benefits of natural fiber reinforcement include reduced weight, lower cost, renewable sourcing, and lower carbon footprint compared to traditional glass or carbon fiber reinforcement.
Main market applications include automotive interior parts, packaging, construction and consumer goods. Leading manufacturers are focused on optimizing processing techniques, improving fiber-matrix bonding, and developing durable natural fiber plastic compounds suitable for structural applications. The natural fiber plastics market is projected to grow steadily driven by sustainability trends and advancements in processing and material quality.
Report contents include:
- Market drivers and challenges.
- Market analysis of the following natural fiber types in plastic composites, including benefits, drawbacks, loadings in plastic composites and applications:
- Luffa.
- Jute.
- Hemp.
- Flax.
- Ramie.
- Kenaf.
- Sisal.
- Abaca.
- Coir.
- Banana.
- Pineapple.
- Rice fibers.
- Corn fibers.
- Switchgrass.
- Sugarcane (agricultural residues).
- Bamboo.
- Fresh grass.
- Mycelium.
- Chitosan.
- Alginate.
- Silk fiber.
- Cellulose fibers from wood.
- Microfibrillated cellulose.
- Cellulose nanofibers.
- Cellulose nanocrystals.
- Analysis of manufacturing processes.
- Analysis of end use markets for natural fiber plastic composites covering market revenues, applications and SWOT analysis. Markets covered include:
- Automotive.
- Packaging.
- Construction & buildings.
- Appliances.
- Consumer electronics.
- Furniture.
- Future market outlook and competitive landscape.
- Global revenues for natural fiber composites , segmented by end use market, material type, plastic type and region.
- Profiles of 67 natural fiber plastic producers. Companies profiled include AdvancedBMT, Bcomp, Borregaard ChemCell, GS Alliance, Nippon, Sappi, Sulapac and Tecnaro.