The Use of Renewable Resource Based Materials for Technical Textiles Applications

ABSTRACT The renewable resource policies on a global level play an important role for the sustainability of ecosystems. These are also vital for the sustainable growth of the textile industry. Materials from renewable resources, e.g., agro-cellulose fibres are becoming increasingly interesting for many technical textiles applications. Potential markets for agro-fibre based products include absorbents, geotextiles, filters, bio- composites for automotive and building sectors, packaging etc. In this paper an overview will be given of the state of the art regarding renewable resource-based materials, the relevant processing technologies for the production of bio- composites, and the potential market areas. Current drawbacks of natural fibres from the point of view of processing technologies and product performance will be discussed. In this context the use of plasma technology as an environment-friendly process in general, and for modifying the surface energies of agro-fibres in particular, will also be discussed. Other developments such as cellulose and starch-based biopolymers for use as matrices or melt fibres in technical textiles and bio-composites will also be discussed.