Biocomposite

Biocomposites or biocomposites are composite materials with a biogenic component. Three variants are:

Biocomposites are used since the end of the 20th century and recently also used increasingly for industrial applications. Here especially natural fiber composites and the so-called Wood Plastic Composites are used that utilize the advantages of natural fibers over traditional reinforcing fillers and advantage. These are in addition to their sustainability and the associated independence from fossil fuels, their CO2 neutrality, but also their physical properties such as low density and high strength and stiffness.

Addition of petroleum based polymers, such as polypropylene and polyethylene or epoxy resins, are also increasingly used in recent years as a biopolymer matrix material. These include above all, based on corn starch polylactide ( PLA), but also made ​​from palm oil or starch resins are used. These materials have several other advantages compared to natural fiber reinforced petroleum-based polymers. Thus, they are usually completely biodegradable and their manufacturing costs, with the exception of the amounts of energy used in the manufacturing process, regardless of the price of oil. They also have a significantly better CO2 balance. These materials can also be used in biomedical applications, or in contact with foodstuffs.