Vol4 num3-14 Application of agroforestry residues in polymeric composite materials

Abstract

The lignocellulosic materials can be employed in the manufacturing of materials compound by a polymeric matrix due to its characteristics and peculiarities. Especially, to come from a natural sustainable resource, abundant and local character, with a low environmental impact and also low cost. In the present it is possible to find in the market industrial solutions, however, usually these materials come of byproducts generated in wood transformation industry and that enter in competence with other industry process like wood board manufacturing. Nevertheless, these materials can also be obtained from the valorisation of different residues generated in local agroforestry crops, which besides it have a low level of exploitation. They are evaluated to the Galicia Euroregion North Portugal, the different natural sources of these materials and its analysed the availability that exists and the technology available to its collection. They are analysed too, the different phases and processes required to do the preparation of these materials to its use in injection, extrusion and rotomolding composites and, especially, in relation to material moisture content and its morphological characteristics. In most of the cases, these residues present difficulties to be valorised so that, in many cases it is resorted to its direct burning, generating environmental problems. Even though, the most part of these materials are susceptibles too to be energy valorised, it is possible to combine in the same industrial process the combined production of natural fibres and material to energy production.