Two fibre plants are under cultivation in the European Union -flax on approximately 125,000 ha and hemp on approximately 15,500 ha in the year 2004. Seeds, hurds and especially fibres of hemp are used for further processing. The most important markets for hemp fibres produced in the EU are pulp and paper and the automotive industry. Just under 5% of the EU hemp fibres were used in the construction sector. Approximately 95% the whole production of 40,000 t of the hemp hurds are used as animal bedding and 95% of the estimated 6000 t per year hemp seeds are sold for animal feed, mainly as bird feed.

In the eighties, studies carried out in Germany and the EU forecasted very large market potentials for composites from flax and other natural fibres. Although considerable research and development was carried out, 1 the development of these markets proved far more difficult and long-term than previously expected. The ambitious German flax program, backed by substantial funding, did not survive these hard times. Only in recent years, did an actual industrial demand for natural fibres develop. Nowadays, the use of natural fibres in certain applications has already become a matter of course, something which no one had dared to expect only five years ago. The most important customer is the automotive industry.

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Introduction Despite widespread use of phosphate binders (PBs), phosphate control is insufficient in many hemodialysis patients. Preliminary clinical observations suggest that nicotinamide may act synergistically with PBs to improve phosphate control. Methods This multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of nicotinamide modified release (NAMR) in combination with oral PB in a large cohort of hemodialysis patients with abnormal serum phosphate concentration (>4.5 mg/dl) despite treatment with PB. Patients entered a proof-of-efficacy phase (12 weeks [W12]) in which adjustments of relevant comedication were not permitted, followed by a safety extension phase for up to 52 weeks. Here, we report the results of the first phase. Results The intention-to-treat (ITT) population consisted of 539 patients in the NAMR and 183 patients in the placebo group. NAMR and placebo were orally administered once daily (250–1500 mg/d). Mean age of patients was 61.8 years, and 63.0% were men. In the confirmatory analysis that estimated the difference in serum phosphate concentration after 12 weeks, NAMR proved superior over placebo with a significant difference of –0.51 mg/dl (95% confidence interval [CI] –0.72, –0.29; P < 0.0001). This effect was associated with significantly lower intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) values (NAMR: 292.4±300.4 pg/ml vs. placebo: 337.0±302.7 pg/ml; P = 0.04) and an improved calcification propensity (T50 time; NAMR: 23.8±97.1 minutes vs. placebo: 2.3±100.7 minutes; P = 0.02). Diarrhea and pruritus were more frequent in the NAMR group. Conclusion NAMR combined with oral PB significantly improved phosphate control in hemodialysis patients.

This chapter presents the status, analysis, trends and future of application of natural fibres (such as hemp, flax, jute and sisal) in composites in the German automotive industry.