Sustainable Natural Fibres from Animals, Plants and Agroindustrial Wastes—An Overview

Abstract

Natural fibres are produced by plants and animals and are the most important raw material for textile and non-textile applications. Natural fibres—particularly wool, cotton and silk—have been an integral part of human life and society since antiquity. With the discovery of synthetic fibres—such as nylons, acrylics and polyesters—the use of natural fibres decreased to a large extent. Recently (as of 2016), growing environmental awareness among the government and industrial firms has dramatically increased the worldwide market for all sustainable natural fibres. Lately, in addition to plant sources—cotton, jute, flax and ramie (a flowering plant in the nettle family)—and animal sources—wool and silk—agroindustrial wastes are exploited as viable, abundantly available, cheap and renewable alternative sources for natural fibres. The natural cellulose fibres recently extracted from corn stalks, corn husks, wheat straw, rice husk, sorghum stalk and leaves, banana leaves, pineapple leaves, sugarcane stalks, hop stems, soybean straw, etc. and protein fibres from industrial wastes have suitable composition, properties and structure for use in various textile and non-textile applications. This chapter first highlights the sources and important characteristics of wool, cotton, ramie and jute and finally discusses the production of cellulose and protein-based natural fibres from agricultural wastes.