Natural Fibers: The Sustainable Alternatives for Textile and Non-Textile Applications

Abstract

The increasing environmental concerns and depletion of petroleum resources have increased the importance of natural fibers and have stimulated researchers and industries to use sustainable fibers instead of conventional synthetic fibers. Besides exceptionally brilliant mechanical and physical properties are also attractive aspects of natural fibers enabling the utilization of natural fibers in myriad of textile and non-textile applications such as clothing, and reinforced composite products in various industries such as automotive, building, and furniture. Natural fiber composites are composite materials comprising of reinforcing fibers derived from renewable and carbon dioxide neutral resources such as wood or plants. NFCs find application in molded articles that demand moderate strength for acceptable performance for various indoor and outdoor applications. A rapid drift from oil-derived polymers and mineral-reinforced materials to sustainable alternatives has fostered automotive and packaging industries to start utilizing natural fiber composites in their designs. Accordingly, natural fiber composites are serving as energy efficient and sustainable alternatives replacing traditional materials such as metals, polymeric resins, and reinforcement fibers. A worldwide clamor for green products and thus upsurge in sustainable alternatives have been witnessed as a result of diminishing petroleum reserves worldwide, exorbitant prices of petroleum, and high disposal costs of petroleum-based composites along with inability of decomposition of some petroleum-based composites. Contrastingly, natural materials outshine the petroleum-based products in being renewable, inexpensive, biodegradable, and eco-friendly.

Towards sustainable and ecofriendly polymer composite materials from bast fibers: a systematic review

“…Plant fibers can be used to manufacture clothing and home textiles, ropes, bags, yarn for various purposes, packaging, cable braids, tarpaulins, felts, carpet backing, fabrics, linings, reinforcement materials, among others [15]. They were also used by the ancient Egyptians in the manufacture of natural fiber composites made from straw and clay or mud about 4000 years ago [16].…”

Green Nanomaterials for Smart Textiles Dedicated to Environmental and Biomedical Applications

“…Natural (i.e., cotton, silk, wool, and jute) and artificial fibres (i.e., polyester, nylon, and elastane) can be equally employed in smart textile development [99]. They provide the necessary structure, comfort, and functionality, which can be further enhanced by incorporating nanomaterials, electronic components, or sensors.…”