Natural Fibers, Biopolymers, and Biocomposites

This book discusses the combination of fibers with polymer matrices from both non-renewable and renewable resources. The first source to focus on biobased materials, it explains the rise of petrochemical and plastic products, the problems associated in their disposal, and how biopolymers offer a realistic solution to these problems. The authors discuss recent trends and opportunities for the future use of biocomposites as alternatives to petroleum-based composites, integrating the principles of sustainability, industrial ecology, eco-efficiency, and green chemistry and engineering into developing next-generation materials, products, and processes.