ABSTRACT
The use of materials from renewable resources is attaining increased importance, and the world's leading industries and manufacturers seek to replace dwindling petrochemical-based feedstock with composites derived from natural fibres and biopolymers. A bio-based product derived from renewable resources having recycling capability and triggered biodegradability with commercial viability and environmental acceptability is defined as a ‘sustainable’ bio-based product. However, plastic derived from renewable resources may be non-biodegradable, depending on the structure and curing nature of plastic during fabrication of bio-composites. A group of researchers at the Composite Materials and Structures Center at Michigan State University are applying their knowledge in composite technology in a new, broadened way to fabricate sustainable bio-composites from renewable resources. Because biocomposites are derived from renewable resources, materials costs can be markedly reduced with their large-scale usage.
