Recent Advances and Technologies of Biobased Composites

There have been many recent advancements for biobased composites in the material science and processing technologies. Progress in the material science is focused on expanding the range of biobased materials used as feedstock and developing cost-effective modifications or treatments to improve performance. Major sources of biobased feedstock for matrices include carbohydrate, plant oils, natural polyesters, natural rubber, and proteins. Although natural reinforcements have been used as building materials for centuries, current research on biobased reinforcements is establishing applications for underutilized byproducts such as wood-biochar materials and developing new technologies like biobased nanocomposite reinforcements. Many improvements to processing technologies have been achieved by more effectively adapting existing techniques such as wet lay-up, extrusion, and injection molding for applications with biobased materials. Furthermore, advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, are being utilized for producing biobased composites.