Biocomposites offer a significant non-food market for crop-derived fibres and resins. Considerable growth has been seen in the use of biocomposites in the automotive and decking markets over the past decade or so, but application in other sectors has hitherto been limited. Nevertheless, with suitable development, the potential exists for biocomposites to enter new markets and thus stimulate an increase in demand for non-food crops. This paper reviews some of the technological challenges being faced in bringing these materials to a wider market together with potential solutions, as well as discussing market forces influencing their commercial uptake.

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Packaging is a ubiquitous commodity that is being used in increasing quantities. This increased use has led to a problem with disposal, with increased quantities of used packaging being sent to landfill. One sustainable solution suggested is the use of biobased, biodegradable packaging. An example of this is paper based pulp moulded products which have been used previously for a number of packaging applications. In this paper the feasibility of replacing paper fibre with waste cereal straw fibre is examined. The aim was to produce materials that could be used to form flat, round trays, such as Highlights  Pulp moulded flat, round packaging trays were produced using straw.  Intrinsic tensile properties improved compared to Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)  Intrinsic flexural properties of straw material were lower than EPS.  Product performance matched EPS performance with changes to product thickness  Straw based materials were biodegradable.

This paper discusses possible health implications related to dust particles released during the manufacture of sheep's wool-based non-woven insulation material. Such insulation may replace traditional synthetic insulation products used in roofs, wall cavities, etc. A review of the literature concerning organic dusts in general and sheep's wool fiber summarizes dust exposure patterns, toxicological pathways and the hazards imposed by inhalation and explosion risk. This paper highlights a need for more research in order to refrain from overgeneralizing potential pulmonary and carcinogenic risks across the industries. Variables existing between industries such as the use of different wool types, processes, and additives are shown to have varying health effects. Within the final section of the paper, the health issues raised are compared with those that have been extensively documented for the rock and glass wool industries.

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