Abstract
Petroleum based thermoplastics are widely used in a range of applications, particularly in packaging. However, their usage has resulted in soaring pollutant emissions. Thus, researchers have been driven to seek environmentally friendly alternative packaging materials which are recyclable as well as biodegradable. Due to the excellent mechanical properties of natural fibres, they have been extensively used to reinforce biopolymers to produce biodegradable composites. A detailed understanding of the properties of such composite materials is vital for assessing their applicability to various products. The present review discusses several functional properties related to packaging applications in order to explore the potential of bamboo fibre fabric-poly (lactic) acid composites for packaging applications. Physical properties, heat deflection temperature, impact resistance, recyclability and biodegradability are important functional properties of packaging materials. In this review, we will also comprehensively discuss the chronological events and applications of natural fibre biopolymer composites.
Highlights
Petroleum based polymers have been utilized as one of the main materials in a vast range of applications, gradually displacing conventional materials
The use of natural fibre fabric-biopolymer composites in industrial application provides
The use of natural fibre fabric-biopolymer composites in industrial application provides challenges for of researchers around the world to access the performance and quality of natural fibre The use natural fibre fabric-biopolymer composites in industrial application provides challenges for researchers around the world to access the performance and quality of natural fibre fabric-biopolymer composites for use as materials in the many applications, packaging challenges for researchers around the world to access performance andespecially quality ofinnatural fibre fabric-biopolymer composites for use as materials in many applications, especially in packaging applications
Summary
Petroleum based polymers have been utilized as one of the main materials in a vast range of applications, gradually displacing conventional materials. The packaging industry is facing major challenges such as diminishing availability of petrochemical resources, increases in their price and the persistence of these materials in the environment beyond their functional life This motivates packaging manufacturers to find new solutions in producing renewable and environmentally friendly products such as fibre-reinforced recyclable and biodegradable packaging materials. PLA is a good candidate for packaging applications because of its excellent mechanical properties, transparency, and biodegradability, resistance to fats and oil and its renewable resources. It resembles polystyrene in some of its properties. This review article discusses the use of natural fibre based fabric-biopolymer composites, with the emphasis on PLA and bamboo fabric as material for packaging applications. The recent applications of natural fibre-biopolymer composites are presented in this article
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