Developing sustainable solutions with natural fiber reinforced composites

The advances in technological developments in NFPCs are driven by the demands of a nation toward sustainability and ecologically friendly materials. Banana, eucalyptus, and kenaf-based material from natural fibers may confer several environmental benefits, including being biodegradable, having a reduced greenhouse gas, and carbon footprint. Despite these benefits, NFPCs exhibit drawbacks in mechanical performance. Poor interfacial adhesion, moisture absorption, and limited fire resistance are some examples of reasons hindering their broader use. Enhancement of fiber-matrix adhesion has been seen as a way of achieving enhanced mechanical properties of NFPCs, and the alkaline treatment using NaOH has come to be favored. Further, since such companies started using NFPCs as they are light in weight and green, such a review indicates a global trend towards sustainability, especially in the aerospace and automotive industries. Further innovation into these NFPCs will be a filling process with nano-clay and other nanoparticles for enhanced thermal and mechanical properties since such a material has immense potential of outperforming their rivals, which are mainly petroleum-based materials. In addition, review also discuss the increasing usage of biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid, PLA reinforced with natural fibers to improve durability and mechanical performance, opening up new possibilities for various applications such as in construction and packaging and medicine and even in 3D printing. Advancements in NFPC technology are aptly highlighted as these materials can meet diverse needs evolving in several industries to ensure a greener tomorrow.