plantefibre

Plantefibre, or plant fibre, denotes natural fibres originated from plants. They are broadly classified by their plant origin: seed fibres (cotton), bast fibres (flax, hemp, jute), leaf fibres (sisal, abaca), and fruit or husk fibres (coir from coconut). These fibres are mainly cellulose and are valued for light weight, biodegradability, and diverse mechanical properties.

Extraction and processing: Fibre extraction begins with harvest and may involve retting, dew retting, or mechanical decortication to separate fibres from surrounding tissue. Cotton is separated from seeds by ginning. The fibres are cleaned, aligned, and spun into yarns, or treated for use in composites. Some plant fibres undergo chemical or enzymatic treatments to improve cleanliness or adhesion in composites.

Properties and uses: Plant fibres typically offer low density, moderate to high stiffness, and good elongation. They absorb moisture, which can influence dimensional stability but can also enhance comfort in textiles. They are used in textiles (linen from flax, cotton fabrics), ropes and twines, paper production, and increasingly as reinforcement in natural fibre-reinforced polymers for automotive parts, panels, and consumer products.

Environmental aspects: Plant fibres are renewable and often biodegradable, with lower energy requirements than many synthetic fibres. Their sustainability depends on cultivation practices, processing methods, and end-of-life options. Blended with bio-based or synthetic resins, they enable lighter-weight composites and a smaller carbon footprint when produced responsibly.

Overview: Plantefibre represent an important class of natural materials that balance performance with sustainability in textiles and composites, and ongoing research focuses on improving production efficiency, fibre-matrix adhesion, and end-of-life options.