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2005 2010 2016

Figure 2.7 Natural fibre composite trend and forecast [48]

Natural fibres have established a few stellar achievements as a reinforcing

material. The advantages of natural fibre-reinforced composites include their ability to
reduce the density of products, acceptable specific strength, higher level toughness and

stiffness in comparison to synthetic fibre-reinforced composites, lower energy

consumption from the growth of the plant to the manufacturing of the composites.
Their manufacturing processes are relatively safer compared to synthetic-based

reinforced composites and require low capital investment due to the low cost of natural

fibres compared to synthetic ones [6]. In general, natural fibres offer several
advantages over glass-fibres as follows [44];

• Plant fibres are renewable raw materials.
• The amount of CO2 released by the fibres at the end of their life cycle is

neutral with respect to the assimilated amount during growth
• Natural fibres are generally, low abrasive and have advantages in terms of

technical and material recycling

• Natural fibre reinforced biodegradable polymers are one of the most
environmental friendly materials and they could be composted at the end of

their life.

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