Green composites and their contribution toward sustainability: A review

Abstract

The current world environment scenario demands new and more eco-friendly solutions to global problems that cover the demands for materials. This sector has included green polymer-based composites and natural reinforcers from origins of renewable sources, these Green Composites (GC), natural-fiber-reinforced bio-composites in which the matrix is a bio-based polymer, have shown attractive characteristics. Biodegradability is one of the most important attributes for these new “green” materials, in that this characteristic allows for their introduction into the world market as an environmental solution. The manufacturing processes for obtaining these materials have observed important improvements because each raw material exhibits different properties and characteristics and their eco-friendly character has facilitated its incorporation into diverse sectors, such as construction, automotive, packaging, and medicine, among others. At present, this segment represents an important income for some economies, especially those where these resources are available, enhancing the creation of green economies, strengthening the world’s efforts toward sustainability.