Recent perspectives on natural Fiber-based materials for sustainable packaging- review

Background The growing global environmental concerns and market demands have intensified the search for alternatives to petroleum-based packaging. As health and ecological impacts move to the center of attention, natural fibers derived from plant, animal, and mineral sources have emerged as viable substitutes, owing to their biodegradability, renewability, and minimal environmental footprint. This shift is further reinforced by rising consumer demand and tightening policy regulations that are pushing the packaging market towards sustainable solutions. Scope and approach This review extends the current horizon on natural fiber-based materials for sustainable food packaging by examining recent progress in the field. It focuses on the newest technologies developed to enhance the functional performance of these materials, particularly in addressing key limitations such as moisture resistance and thermal stability. The review also considers the broader market context, discussing how evolving consumer expectations and regulatory frameworks are shaping innovation and adoption in this space. Key findings and conclusions Advances in processing and material design have improved the functional properties of natural fiber-based packaging, narrowing the performance gap with conventional petroleum-based materials. However, gaps remain in scaling these solutions and expanding their range of applications. The review identifies these gaps as priority areas for future research and highlights the need for continued innovation aligned with dynamic market and regulatory conditions. Overall, natural fibers are positioned to play a significant role in meeting current sustainability trends and supporting global environmental objectives in the food packaging sector. Unlike previous reviews that predominantly focus on individual aspects such as natural fiber composites, biodegradable films, active packaging or cellulose-based materials, this review integrates material development with processing, functional performance, food -contact safety, environmental sustainability, regulatory considerations, market trends and commercialization. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationships between natural-fiber type, modification strategy, packaging performance and industrial applicability, while identifying the major barriers associated with moisture sensitivity, thermal stability, scalability, safety, recycling and life–cycle performance. The review therefore provides an integrated roadmap for the transition of natural–fiber–based packaging from laboratory – scale materials towards safe, scalable and circular food packaging systems.