ABSTRACT
Global environmental concerns, such as rising sea levels, rising average global temperatures, decreasing polar ice caps, and rapidly depleting petroleum resources, have intensied pressure on humans and industries. How to respect the environment and improve living conditions for the benet of all living organisms are key global issues. These concerns and an increased awareness of renewable “green” materials have initiated efforts in many industries to mitigate their impact on the environment. With an emphasis on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint, there is a demand for sustainably produced green materials with improved performance (Luo and Netravali 1999).
