A Review on Emerging Trends of Reusing Natural Fiber Reinforced Composite with Plastic Waste

INTRODUCTION

Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites are composite materials made of natural fibers such as jute, hemp, flax, kenaf, sisal and bamboo and polymer matrices such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene. These composites offer several advantages over traditional materials such as high strength, low weight and biodegradability. Additionally, natural fibers are renewable resources that can be grown locally, reducing transportation costs and carbon footprint¹.

Emerging trends in natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites
Nanocellulose-reinforced polymer composite: Nanocellulose is a renewable and biodegradable material derived from natural fibers such as wood, cotton and hemp. It has high strength and stiffness and can be used to reinforce polymers such as polystyrene and polypropylene. Nanocellulose-reinforced polymer composites have the potential to replace traditional composites made of glass or carbon fibers².

Biodegradable polymer composite: Biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are derived from renewable resources such as corn starch and vegetable oils. These polymers can be reinforced with natural fibers to create biodegradable composite materials. These composites have potential applications in packaging, agriculture and automotive industries³.

Hybrid composites: Hybrid composites are made by combining natural fibers with other types of fibers such as glass, carbon or Kevlar. These composites have improved mechanical properties compared to pure natural fiber composites and can be used in applications where high strength and durability are required⁴.

Despite being considered a potential substitute for synthetic fibers, natural fibers face several challenges and limitations. One key issue is the absence of significant technological advancements in the production of raw materials for natural fibers. This hampers the overall efficiency and rate of production⁴. Additionally, there is a lack of improved equipment for processing natural fibers, further impeding their widespread use⁵. Another concern relates to the compatibility of the surface functional groups of natural fibers with the functional groups of existing hydrophobic resin systems. This incompatibility poses difficulties in achieving strong bonding and optimal performance in different environments. Furthermore, natural fibers have a temperature threshold between 170 and 200°C, beyond which they can begin to degrade. This limits their utility as reinforcing materials in thermoplastic matrices with high melting points. The breakdown of natural fibers at elevated temperatures can weaken the composite structure and compromise its overall strength. While, natural fibers hold promise as alternatives to synthetic fibres, they encounter challenges such as technological limitations, processing inefficiencies, compatibility issues with resin systems and susceptibility to thermal degradation. Addressing these issues is crucial for maximizing the potential of natural fibers and their composites in various applications.

Many factors affect how differently their mechanical characteristics can vary. Many variables, such as the absence of standardization in processing and surface treatments, have an impact on the variability in their mechanical properties. The disadvantages of using and applying natural fibers have been identified as their low wettability and susceptibility to moisture absorption. The presence of moisture offers leeway for dimensional fluctuations of the end product and this also creates a weakness in the interfacial bond between the fiber and the matrix. Restricted access caused by geographic barriers between countries where natural fibers are grown and countries where they are used as reinforcement in composites production, such as North America, the UK, France, Germany and Spain, is an often-overlooked but significant barrier to the widespread use of natural fibers in composites applications. The global production of plastics. Global production of plastics×CIS-Commonwealth and Independent States. The NAFTA-North American Free Trade Agreement⁶ was shown in Fig. 1. Improper fiber orientation and aspect ratio, as those present in natural fiber, resulting in a composite material with low mechanical properties. During manufacture, natural fibers are frequently twisted, which results in poor resin impregnation and mechanical properties. Since the amount of vacancy in natural fibers increases with increased reinforcement, it has been reported that this causes the mechanical characteristics of the resulting composites to decline. The trend of reusing natural fibers with plastic materials has gained a lot of attention in recent years due to its potential to reduce waste and promote sustainability. This approach involves mixing natural fibres, such as jute, hemp, or flax, with plastic materials, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, to create composite materials that can be used in various applications, including packaging, construction and automotive industries. One of the significant advantages of using natural fibers in plastic composites is their biodegradability and renewable nature. Unlike synthetic fibers, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, natural fibers can break down within a few years, making them an eco-friendly alternative. Furthermore, natural fibers have excellent mechanical properties, such as high strength, stiffness and toughness, which can enhance the performance of plastic composites. One example of reusing natural fibers with plastic material is the production of biocomposites, which are composite materials made from a combination of natural fibers, such as hemp or flax and a thermoplastic matrix, such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

Fig. 1:

Global production of plastics, global production of plastics×CIS-Commonwealth and Independent States and NAFTA-North American Free Trade Agreement6

Figure 2, the study was conducted by Almeshal et al.⁷. The researchers aimed to address two environmental problems: The accumulation of plastic waste and the high carbon footprint of concrete production. By incorporating recycled plastic into concrete, researchers aimed to reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills and lower the carbon emissions associated with concrete production. The study involved using different percentages of recycled plastic as a partial replacement for sand in concrete mixes. The researchers tested the mechanical properties of the resulting concrete, such as compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength. They also evaluated the durability of the concrete by subjecting it to freeze-thaw cycles and acid attacks. The use of recycled plastic as a partial replacement for sand had a positive impact on the mechanical properties of the concrete. Table 1 showed the different types of catalysts used for upcycling of plastic waste material. The researchers found that the compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength of the concrete increased with the addition of recycled plastic. They also found that the concrete was more durable and resistant to freeze-thaw cycles and acid attacks. Overall, the study demonstrated the potential of using recycled plastic in concrete production to create more eco-friendly building materials. The researchers suggested that further research should be conducted to optimize the percentage of plastic replacement and to evaluate the environmental impact of the production process.

Dittenber and GangaRao²⁸ studied that biocomposites made from natural fibers and plastic material have several advantages over traditional composites made solely from synthetic materials, including. Natural fibers can enhance the mechanical properties of the composite, such as strength and stiffness while reducing the weight of the material. Sanjay and Yogesha²⁹ showed that the use of natural fibers can reduce the environmental impact of the composite by replacing non-renewable materials with renewable resources, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of the material. Rohit and Dixit³⁰ showed the use of natural fibers can reduce the cost of the composite material, as natural fibers are often cheaper than synthetic fibers. Overall, the reuse of natural fibers with plastic material in biocomposites offers a promising solution for creating sustainable materials with improved mechanical properties and reduced environmental impact.

Fig. 2:

Global primary plastics waste generation, 1950-2015 (Almeshal et al.7)

Several studies have been conducted to investigate the properties and applications of natural fiber-reinforced plastic composites. For instance, Gao et al.³¹ studied the effect of jute fiber content on the mechanical properties of polypropylene composites. They found that increasing the jute fiber content resulted in a significant improvement in the tensile and flexural properties of the composites. Ali et al.³² focused on the development of natural fiber-reinforced polyethylene composites for packaging applications. They reported that the addition of 20% flax fiber improved the tensile strength and modulus of the composites compared to pure polyethylene. According to a study by Ebadi et al.³³ natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites have several advantages over conventional materials such as low cost, low density, high specific strength and biodegradability. The study focused on sisal fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites and found that the addition of sisal fiber improved the tensile strength and stiffness of the composites. The study also highlighted the potential of sisal fiber-reinforced composites as a sustainable alternative to conventional materials in various applications. Akindoyo et al.³⁴ studied a comprehensive examination of the mechanical characteristics of composites made from polystyrene reinforced with jute fibers. The investigation revealed that the inclusion of jute fiber resulted in enhanced flexural strength and modulus of the composites. Furthermore, the authors observed that these jute fiber- reinforced composites exhibit promising prospects for utilization in diverse sectors, including the automotive and construction industries. A comprehensive study on natural fiber. Studies have shown that the addition of kenaf fibers to PP improves the mechanical properties of the resulting composite, including increased tensile strength, flexural strength and impact resistance³⁵. Another example is the use of sisal fibers in combination with polyethylene (PE) to create composite materials. Sisal is a natural fiber that is derived from the agave plant. Studies have shown that the addition of sisal fibers to PE improves the mechanical properties of the resulting composite, including increased tensile strength, flexural strength and impact resistance. Wang et al.³⁶ studied the combination of natural fibers and plastic materials in composite materials offers a promising solution for creating sustainable and durable products. The extensive utilization of plastics in various sectors such as packaging, automotive and industrial applications, medicinal delivery systems, healthcare applications, water desalination, land/soil conservation, flood control, housing, communication materials, security systems and more, has been instrumental in driving this surge. The widespread use of plastics in packaging, automotive and industrial applications, medicinal delivery systems, healthcare applications, water desalination, land/soil conservation, flood control, housing, communication materials, security systems and other applications has contributed to this increase. As a result, plastic waste has become a growing concern in the solid waste stream. Plastic waste has indeed become a growing concern in the solid waste stream. According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an estimated eight million metric tons of plastic waste enter the world’s oceans each year, which not only damages marine life but also affects human health and livelihoods (UNEP, 2021)³⁷. Additionally, plastic waste takes hundreds of years to decompose, resulting in long-lasting environmental impacts Furthermore, plastic waste generation is on the rise globally, with a projected increase of 33% by 2050³⁸. This trend is driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization and the increasing use of single-use plastics. Hence, addressing plastic waste has become a critical issue for policymakers, businesses and individuals worldwide. Plastic waste has indeed become a growing concern in the solid waste stream, as it has a significant impact on the environment and human health. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, “the amount of plastic waste generated globally is expected to triple from 2015 to 2060", which underscores the need for urgent action to address this issue (The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics, 2016). Moreover, a study published in the Journal Science Advances found that “plastic waste inputs into the ocean have increased by an order of magnitude from 1970 to 2015", with plastic debris now affecting nearly all marine environments³⁹. This highlights the urgent need to reduce plastic waste and prevent it from entering our oceans and harming marine life. Plastic waste has indeed become a significant environmental concern globally due to its adverse effects on the environment and public health. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in natural fibers as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic materials. According to Rohit and Dixit⁴⁰ the increase in the use of synthetic materials, including plastics, has led to an increase in environmental pollution. Plastic waste has become a significant issue because of its non-biodegradable nature, which means that it remains in the environment for an extended period, leading to the degradation of the soil, water and air quality. Furthermore, plastic waste also poses a threat to wildlife, causing suffocation, strangulation and ingestion. Natural fibers, on the other hand, have many environmental advantages over synthetic materials. They are biodegradable, renewable and have a lower carbon footprint. Moreover, natural fibers have excellent mechanical and physical properties that make them suitable for various applications, such as packaging, textiles and construction materials. According to Pandian et al.⁴¹ natural fibers can serve as a viable alternative to synthetic materials, including plastics, due to their sustainability and biodegradability. The authors note that natural fibers such as jute, coir, sisal and hemp are widely available, cheap and environmentally friendly. These fibers have been used in various applications, such as packaging, insulation, textiles and automotive components, to reduce the environmental impact of synthetic materials.

Plastic-reinforced polymer composites (PRPCs) have numerous advantages over traditional materials, including^42-44.

High strength and stiffness: The PRPCs have high strength and stiffness compared to traditional materials such as wood, steel, or concrete. The addition of fibers or particles to the polymer matrix significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the composite material.

Lightweight: The PRPCs are lightweight, making them ideal for use in applications where weight is a critical factor.

Corrosion resistance: The PRPCs are highly resistant to corrosion, which makes them ideal for use in harsh environments where traditional materials may deteriorate quickly.

Design flexibility: The PRPCs can be molded into complex shapes and structures, giving designers greater flexibility in creating products with unique geometries.

Durability: The PRPCs are highly durable and have a long service life, which can reduce maintenance costs over time.

Environmental benefits: The PRPCs can be made from recycled materials, reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing.