Investigating the Efficacy and Sustainability of Natural Fiber Composites in Packaging Material Applications
摘要
Natural fiber composites (NFCs) refer to materials made from renewable natural fibers, such as flax, hemp, and jute, reinforced with polymers. This study investigates the effectiveness and sustainability of NFCs in packaging applications, reducing environmental issues associated with conventional materials. The aim of this research is the assessment of the mechanical properties, scalability, and environmental effects of these materials, and their economic viability. Models applied for evaluation include tensile strength, flexibility, durability, life cycle analysis (LCA), and economic analysis. The presented model offers flax fiber due to the fact that it has balance strengths, including strength at 800 MPa, flexibility at 4 GPa, and very low environmental effects of 15 kg CO2. It integrates weaving, molding, and layering processing methods and evaluates scalability, compatibility, and LCA. Results showed that flax fiber composites had 25% lower costs, 10% higher revenue generation, and 5% better Return of Interest (ROI) than conventional materials. The future scope involves exploring other natural fibers and expanding NFC use in different industries. The proposed model effectively demonstrates that NFCs, especially flax fiber, offer a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to conventional packaging, contributing to reducing carbon footprints and promoting environmental sustainability.