Sustainable Bio-composites from Renewable Resources: Opportunities and Challenges in the Green Materials World

The use of materials from renewable resources is attaining increased importance, and the world's leading industries and manufacturers seek to replace dwindling petrochemical-based feedstock with composites derived from natural fibres and biopolymers. A bio-based product derived from renewable resources having recycling capability and triggered biodegradability with commercial viability and environmental acceptability is defined as a 'sustainable' bio-based product. However, plastic derived from renewable resources may be non-biodegradable, depending on the structure and curing nature of plastic during fabrication of bio-composites. A group of researchers at the Composite Materials and Structures Center at Michigan State University are applying their knowledge in composite technology in a new, broadened way to fabricate sustainable bio-composites from renewable resources. Because biocomposites are derived from renewable resources, materials costs can be markedly reduced with their large-scale usage.