Published August 2023 | 191 pages, 62 figures, 52 tables | Download table of contents
Natural Fiber Reinforced Plastic Composites - Sustainable Materials for Automotive, Construction, Packaging
Natural fibers like jute, hemp, flax can be combined with plastics to produce eco-friendly fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) composites.
Key manufacturing processes:
- Injection molding
- Extrusion
- Compression molding
Benefits vs glass/carbon FRPs:
- Lower density - reduced weight
- Lower cost
- Renewably sourced
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Biodegradability
Natural fibers used:
- Flax
- Hemp
- Jute
- Kenaf
- Abaca
- Sisal
- Coir
- Banana
- Bamboo
- Cellulose
Applications:
- Automotive interior parts
- Construction panels
- Packaging
- Consumer goods
- Appliances
Market Drivers
- Sustainability regulations and trends
- Advances in natural fiber processing and treatments
- Lightweighting demand in automotive industry
Challenges
- Lower strength than glass fibers
- Hydrophilicity requires treatments
- Composite performance consistency
Industry Outlook
Global natural fiber plastic composites market will grow steadily driven by:
- Government policies incentivizing sustainable materials use
- Lightweighting and emissions reduction goals in transport
- Price stability relative to glass/carbon fibers
- Consumer preference for eco-friendly products
Advancements in manufacturing and new bio-based resins will support adoption across industries. The Global Market for Natural Fiber Plastics 2024-2034 includes profiles of 67 natural fiber plastic producers. Companies profiled include AdvancedBMT, Bcomp, Borregaard ChemCell, GS Alliance, Nippon, Sappi, Sulapac and Tecnaro.
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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 14
- 1.1 What are natural fiber plastics? 14
- 1.2 Benefits of natural fibers over synthetic 17
- 1.3 Markets and applications for natural fibers 18
- 1.4 Commercially available natural fiber products 20
- 1.5 Market drivers for natural fibers 23
- 1.6 Market challenges 25
2 NATURAL FIBER PLASTICS OVERVIEW 26
- 2.1 The global polymer plastics market 26
- 2.2 The global biocomposite plastics market 26
- 2.3 Wood flour as a plastic filler 27
- 2.4 Types of natural fibers in plastic composites 27
- 2.4.1 Plants 29
- 2.4.1.1 Seed fibers 29
- 2.4.1.1.1 Kapok 29
- 2.4.1.1.2 Luffa 30
- 2.4.1.2 Bast fibers 31
- 2.4.1.2.1 Jute 32
- 2.4.1.2.2 Hemp 33
- 2.4.1.2.3 Flax 35
- 2.4.1.2.4 Ramie 36
- 2.4.1.2.5 Kenaf 37
- 2.4.1.3 Leaf fibers 38
- 2.4.1.3.1 Sisal 38
- 2.4.1.3.2 Abaca 39
- 2.4.1.4 Fruit fibers 40
- 2.4.1.4.1 Coir 40
- 2.4.1.4.2 Banana 41
- 2.4.1.4.3 Pineapple 42
- 2.4.1.5 Stalk fibers from agricultural residues 44
- 2.4.1.5.1 Rice fiber 44
- 2.4.1.5.2 Corn 45
- 2.4.1.6 Cane, grasses and reed 46
- 2.4.1.6.1 Switchgrass 46
- 2.4.1.6.2 Sugarcane (agricultural residues) 47
- 2.4.1.6.3 Bamboo 48
- 2.4.1.6.4 Fresh grass (green biorefinery) 49
- 2.4.1.7 Modified natural polymers 50
- 2.4.1.7.1 Mycelium 50
- 2.4.1.7.2 Chitosan 52
- 2.4.1.7.3 Alginate 54
- 2.4.1.1 Seed fibers 29
- 2.4.2 Animal (fibrous protein) 55
- 2.4.2.1 Silk fiber 55
- 2.4.3 Wood-based natural fibers 57
- 2.4.3.1 Cellulose fibers 57
- 2.4.3.1.1 Market overview 57
- 2.4.3.1.2 Producers 57
- 2.4.3.2 Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) 58
- 2.4.3.2.1 Market overview 58
- 2.4.3.2.2 Producers 60
- 2.4.3.3 Cellulose nanocrystals 60
- 2.4.3.3.1 Market overview 60
- 2.4.3.3.2 Producers 62
- 2.4.3.4 Cellulose nanofibers 62
- 2.4.3.4.1 Market overview 62
- 2.4.3.4.2 Producers 64
- 2.4.3.1 Cellulose fibers 57
- 2.4.1 Plants 29
- 2.5 Processing and Treatment of Natural Fibers 65
- 2.6 Interface and Compatibility of Natural Fibers with Plastic Matrices 66
- 2.6.1 Adhesion and Bonding 66
- 2.6.2 Moisture Absorption and Dimensional Stability 67
- 2.6.3 Thermal Expansion and Compatibility 67
- 2.6.4 Dispersion and Distribution 67
- 2.6.5 Matrix Selection 67
- 2.6.6 Fiber Content and Alignment 67
- 2.6.7 Manufacturing Techniques 67
3 MANUFACTURING PROCESSES 68
- 3.1 Injection molding 70
- 3.2 Compression moulding 71
- 3.3 Extrusion 72
- 3.4 Thermoforming 72
- 3.5 Thermoplastic pultrusion 73
- 3.6 Additive manufacturing (3D printing) 73
4 THE GLOBAL MARKET FOR NATURAL FIBERS IN PLASTICS 75
- 4.1 Markets and applications 75
- 4.2 Markets 78
- 4.2.1 Automotive 78
- 4.2.1.1 Applications 79
- 4.2.1.2 Commercial production 79
- 4.2.1.3 SWOT analysis 82
- 4.2.2 Packaging 83
- 4.2.2.1 Applications 83
- 4.2.2.2 SWOT analysis 86
- 4.2.3 Construction 87
- 4.2.3.1 Applications 87
- 4.2.3.2 SWOT analysis 88
- 4.2.4 Appliances 89
- 4.2.4.1 Applications 89
- 4.2.4.2 SWOT analysis 91
- 4.2.5 Consumer electronics 93
- 4.2.5.1 Applications 93
- 4.2.5.2 SWOT analysis 95
- 4.2.6 Furniture 97
- 4.2.6.1 Applications 97
- 4.2.6.2 SWOT analysis 97
- 4.2.1 Automotive 78
- 4.3 Competitive landscape 98
- 4.4 Future outlook 99
- 4.5 Global market for natural fiber based plastics 100
- 4.5.1 By end use market 100
- 4.5.2 By Material Type 102
- 4.5.3 By Plastic Type 104
- 4.5.4 By region 106
5 PRODUCERS AND PRODUCT DEVELOPERS 108 (67 company profiles)
6 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 188
7 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 189
8 REFERENCES 190
List of tables
- Table 1. Types of natural fibers. 14
- Table 2. Markets and applications for natural fibers. 17
- Table 3. Commercially available natural fiber products. 19
- Table 4. Market drivers for natural fibers. 22
- Table 5. Typical properties of natural fibers. 27
- Table 6. Overview of kapok fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 29
- Table 7. Overview of luffa fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 29
- Table 8. Overview of jute fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 31
- Table 9. Overview of hemp fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 33
- Table 10. Overview of flax fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 34
- Table 11. Overview of ramie fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 35
- Table 12. Overview of kenaf fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 36
- Table 13. Overview of sisal fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 38
- Table 14. Overview of abaca fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 39
- Table 15. Overview of coir fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 40
- Table 16. Overview of banana fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 41
- Table 17. Overview of pineapple fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 42
- Table 18. Overview of rice fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 43
- Table 19. Overview of corn fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 44
- Table 20. Overview of switch grass fibers-description, properties and applications. 45
- Table 21. Overview of sugarcane fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and application and market size. 46
- Table 22. Overview of bamboo fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 47
- Table 23. Overview of mycelium fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 50
- Table 24. Overview of chitosan fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 52
- Table 25. Overview of alginate-description, properties, application and market size. 53
- Table 26. Overview of silk fibers-description, properties, application and market size. 54
- Table 27. Next-gen silk producers. 55
- Table 28. Companies developing cellulose fibers for application in plastic composites. 56
- Table 29. Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) market analysis. 58
- Table 30. Leading MFC producers and capacities. 59
- Table 31. Cellulose nanocrystals market overview. 59
- Table 32. Cellulose nanocrystal production capacities and production process, by producer. 61
- Table 33. Cellulose nanofibers market analysis. 61
- Table 34. CNF production capacities and production process, by producer, in metric tons. 63
- Table 35. Processing and treatment methods for natural fibers used in plastic composites. 64
- Table 36. Application, manufacturing method, and matrix materials of natural fibers. 67
- Table 37. Properties of natural fiber-bio-based polymer compounds. 68
- Table 38. Typical properties of short natural fiber-thermoplastic composites. 69
- Table 39. Properties of non-woven natural fiber mat composites. 70
- Table 40. Applications of natural fibers in plastics. 74
- Table 41. Applications of natural fibers in the automotive industry. 78
- Table 42. Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite in the automotive market. 79
- Table 43. Applications of natural fibers in packaging. 82
- Table 44. Applications of natural fibers in construction. 86
- Table 45. Applications of natural fibers in the appliances market. 89
- Table 46. Applications of natural fibers in the consumer electronics market. 92
- Table 47. Global market for natural fiber based plastics, 2018-2034, by end use sector (Billion USD). 99
- Table 48. Global market for natural fiber based plastics, 2018-2034, by material type (Billion USD). 101
- Table 49. Global market for natural fiber based plastics, 2018-2034, by plastic type (Billion USD). 103
- Table 50. Global market for natural fiber based plastics, 2018-2034, by region (Billion USD). 105
- Table 51. Granbio Nanocellulose Processes. 145
- Table 52. Oji Holdings CNF products. 166
List of figures
- Figure 1. Absolut natural based fiber bottle cap. 19
- Figure 2. Adidas algae-ink tees. 19
- Figure 3. Carlsberg natural fiber beer bottle. 20
- Figure 4. Miratex watch bands. 20
- Figure 5. Adidas Made with Nature Ultraboost 22. 20
- Figure 6. PUMA RE:SUEDE sneaker 21
- Figure 7. Types of natural fibers. 27
- Figure 8. Luffa cylindrica fiber. 30
- Figure 9. Pineapple fiber. 42
- Figure 10. Typical structure of mycelium-based foam. 49
- Figure 11. Commercial mycelium composite construction materials. 50
- Figure 12. SEM image of microfibrillated cellulose. 57
- Figure 13. Hemp fibers combined with PP in car door panel. 72
- Figure 14. Car door produced from Hemp fiber. 77
- Figure 15. Natural fiber composites in the BMW M4 GT4 racing car. 79
- Figure 16. Mercedes-Benz components containing natural fibers. 79
- Figure 17. SWOT analysis: natural fibers in the automotive market. 82
- Figure 18. SWOT analysis: natural fibers in the packaging market. 86
- Figure 19. SWOT analysis: natural fibers in the appliances market. 88
- Figure 20. SWOT analysis: natural fibers in the appliances market. 91
- Figure 21. SWOT analysis: natural fibers in the consumer electronics market. 95
- Figure 22. SWOT analysis: natural fibers in the furniture market. 97
- Figure 23. Global market for natural fiber based plastics, 2018-2034, by market (Billion USD). 100
- Figure 24. Global market for natural fiber based plastics, 2018-2034, by material type (Billion USD). 102
- Figure 25. Global market for natural fiber based plastics, 2018-2034, by plastic type (Billion USD). 104
- Figure 26. Global market for natural fiber based plastics, 2018-2034, by region (Billion USD). 106
- Figure 27. Asahi Kasei CNF fabric sheet. 111
- Figure 28. Properties of Asahi Kasei cellulose nanofiber nonwoven fabric. 112
- Figure 29. CNF nonwoven fabric. 113
- Figure 30. Roof frame made of natural fiber. 115
- Figure 31.Tras Rei chair incorporating ampliTex fibers. 118
- Figure 32. Natural fibres racing seat. 118
- Figure 33. Porche Cayman GT4 Clubsport incorporating BComp flax fibers. 119
- Figure 34. Fiber-based screw cap. 123
- Figure 35. Cellugy materials. 128
- Figure 36. CuanSave film. 132
- Figure 37. Trunk lid incorporating CNF. 133
- Figure 38. ELLEX products. 135
- Figure 39. CNF-reinforced PP compounds. 135
- Figure 40. Kirekira! toilet wipes. 136
- Figure 41. DKS CNF products. 140
- Figure 42. Cellulose Nanofiber (CNF) composite with polyethylene (PE). 143
- Figure 43. CNF products from Furukawa Electric. 144
- Figure 44. Cutlery samples (spoon, knife, fork) made of nano cellulose and biodegradable plastic composite materials. 147
- Figure 45. CNF gel. 149
- Figure 46. Block nanocellulose material. 150
- Figure 47. CNF products developed by Hokuetsu. 150
- Figure 48. Dual Graft System. 152
- Figure 49. Engine cover utilizing Kao CNF composite resins. 153
- Figure 50. Acrylic resin blended with modified CNF (fluid) and its molded product (transparent film), and image obtained with AFM (CNF 10wt% blended). 153
- Figure 51. Cellulomix production process. 157
- Figure 52. Nanobase versus conventional products. 158
- Figure 53. MOGU-Wave panels. 160
- Figure 54. CNF clear sheets. 166
- Figure 55. Oji Holdings CNF polycarbonate product. 167
- Figure 56. A vacuum cleaner part made of cellulose fiber (left) and the assembled vacuum cleaner. 168
- Figure 57. XCNF. 172
- Figure 58. Manufacturing process for STARCEL. 174
- Figure 59. 2 wt.% CNF suspension. 177
- Figure 60. Sulapac cosmetics containers. 179
- Figure 61. Comparison of weight reduction effect using CNF. 182
- Figure 62. CNF resin products. 184
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To purchase by invoice (bank transfer) or in an alternative currency please contact info@futuremarketsinc.com or select Bank Transfer (Invoice) as a payment method at checkout.