A scientometric review using CiteSpace: Progress, challenges, and applications of natural fiber-reinforced composite and hybrid composites in engineering applications (2015–2025)

• Natural fiber-reinforced composites and hybrid composites are future sustainable materials for engineering applications. • Advanced manufacturing technologies, such as 3D and 4D printing, can produce refined parts for current industries. • Incorporating multifunctionalization can significantly enhance the performance of natural fiber-reinforced and hybrid composites. • AI integration represents a promising future domain in engineering applications. Natural fiber-reinforced composite (NFRC) materials have drawn significant attention in multiple industries due to their desired mechanical properties and performance. Apart from these, the core benefits of NFRCs are that they are sustainable and renewable and have an appealing advantage, like enabling the promotion of a circular economy compared to conventional or polymeric composites. The main aim of this study is to highlight the current applications of NFRCs, focusing on the four core engineering industries: aerospace, automobile, biomedical, and building construction. This study also explores the challenges of NFRC materials while considering the engineering and technical challenges in the Engineering industry. The investigation was carried out using CiteSpace bibliometric software, and the data were extracted from the Web of Science (WOS) platform. The Web of Science (WOS) analysis identified 187 articles focusing on these core industries. This work also highlighted the current research demands, such as significant keywords, publications, journals, and countries in the engineering industries where NFRCs and hybrid composites are adopted. The investigations found that NFRCs and hybrid composites could be a suitable alternative to polymeric composites in terms of sustainability and low carbon footprint in currently adopted Engineering applications. Particularly, some challenges still exist from a material perspective, such as durability and low mechanical strength. However, potential solutions are comprehensively discussed to overcome these challenges. Overall, this study explores valuable insights into NFRCs for engineering industries, including current and future applications, which can be helpful for future researchers, stakeholders, and industries in developing sustainable and low-carbon-based materials to promote a cleaner environment.