Natural and industrial wastes for sustainable and renewable polymer composites

TLDR

Industrial and natural waste can be converted into biocomposites that are eco‑friendly, lightweight, and high‑strength, offering sustainability benefits and potential energy savings in applications such as automotive and energy systems. The review aims to systematically examine waste‑derived biocomposites, covering their components, modifications, key properties, applications, energy efficiency, and future prospects. The authors compile and analyze biocomposites from various wastes, detailing waste components, modifications, mechanical and fire properties, applications, and energy‑efficiency outcomes.

Abstract

By-products management from industrial and natural (agriculture, aviculture, and others) activities and products are critical for promoting sustainability, reducing pollution, increasing storage space, minimising landfills, reducing energy consumption, and facilitating a circular economy. One of the sustainable waste management approaches is utilising them in developing biocomposites. Biocomposites are eco-friendly materials because of their sustainability and environmental benefits that have comparable performance properties to the synthetic counterparts. Biocomposites can be developed from both renewable and industrial waste, making them both energy efficient and sustainable. Because of their low weight and high strength, biocomposite materials in applications such as automobiles can minimise fuel consumption and conserve energy. Furthermore, biocomposites in energy-based applications could lead to savings in both the economy and energy consumption. Herein, a review of biocomposites made from various wastes and their related key properties (e.g. mechanical and fire) are provided. The article systematically highlights the individual wastes/by-products from agriculture and materials processing industries for composites manufacturing in terms of their waste components (materials), modifications, resultant properties, applications and energy efficiency. Finally, a perspective for the future of biowastes and industrial wastes in polymer composites is discussed.