The global market for Natural Fiber Composites is projected to reach US$8.5 billion by 2025, driven by the growing focus on environmental sustainability and the ensuing search for safer and natural alternatives for traditionally engineered materials. The world is gradually moving towards a circular economy in response to the growing pressure to address pollution, global warming and climate change. The manufacturing industry as a result in coming under intense pressure to reduce its carbon footprint and develop a sustainable value chain for raw material supply, while simultaneously meet the challenges of intensifying competition. The industry has made measurable progress in the transition to bio-based products. Several natural and renewable materials have been successfully developed to replace current petroleum-derived products. As the environmental cost of manufacturing using non-renewable resources increase there will be a parallel increase in the commercial value of natural products and feedstocks given their extraordinary value-addition in preserving the environment. As demand for advanced composites in manufacturing grows, natural fiber composites (NFCs) are attractively positioned to tap into this opportunity. Defined as reinforcing fibers derived from natural origin such as wood, plants and animals, NFCs are CO2 neutral. Developments in chemical and physical treatment methods are vital to ensure the efficiency and final performance and properties of the natural fiber composites. To manipulate and customize the properties of NFCs, agro fibers are often integrated with plastics. Synthetic fibers such as glass fibers in polymer composites can be replaced by NFCs to improve their eco-friendly profile.

NFCs are poised to find attractive opportunities in construction materials, insulation, engineering and automotive. The automotive industry in the coming years will emerge into the forefront of application of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites supported by the rise of electric vehicles and legislation of stricter environmental regulations. The abundant availability of natural fiber wastes offer a cheap and low cost resource for developing NFCs. Types of natural fibers include jute, coconut fibers, wood fibers, coir, flax, hemp, kenaf, ramie, horse hair, and lamb wool, among others. Among these, wood fibers remain in the spotlight with over 60% share of the global natural fiber composites market. Classified as a lignocellulosic material, wood fibers feature low density, low cost and low energy benefits. Few of the factors driving the popularity of wood fibers include developments in matrix material & fiber modifications which help optimize mechanical properties & dimensional stability of wood fibers; new applications for wood fiber composites on cards in the field of packaging materials, furniture & non-structural building components; low cost as compared to glass and carbon fibers; biodegradability; and improvements in the effectiveness of chemical modifications which resolve wood-fiber hygroexpansion and interface properties. Other fibers are also attractive subjects for R&D given their beneficial properties i.e. coir is durable and resistant to salt water; cotton fiber possess excellent absorbency; eucalyptus fiber are effective for insulation purposes; flax fiber has superior tensile strength when compared to glass fiber and also has low density, high strength and stiffness; Hemp fiber has excellent mechanical strength and young’s modulus; jute exhibits high aspect ratio. The United States and Europe represent large markets worldwide with a combined share of 55.7% of the market. China ranks as the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 14.5% over the analysis period supported by the country’s policy making reforms in favor of utilization of renewable/natural resources.