--- title: "Natural Fibers are Trending for Plastic Reinforcement" id: "2143" type: "post" slug: "natural-fibers-are-trending-for-plastic-reinforcement" published_at: "2023-10-24T13:11:49+00:00" modified_at: "2026-04-30T23:20:10+00:00" url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2023/10/natural-fibers-are-trending-for-plastic-reinforcement-002143/" markdown_url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2023/10/natural-fibers-are-trending-for-plastic-reinforcement-002143.md" excerpt: "BComp, a Swiss composites company brings to the table a natural fiber alternative for reinforced plastics compared to carbon fiber." taxonomy_category: - "Aerospace" - "Automotive & Transportation" - "Business" - "Composites" - "Electric Vehicles" - "Industry" - "Materials" - "Recyclate" - "Resins" - "Sports & Recreation" - "Sustainability" - "Thermoforming" - "Thermoplastics" - "Thermosets" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Automotive/Transportation" - "Carbon fiber" - "Composites" - "Design" - "flax" - "natural fibers" - "Sustainability" - "Thermoforming" --- [Home](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/) » [News](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/news/) » [Industry](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/industry/) » Natural Fibers are Trending for Plastic Reinforcement # Natural Fibers are Trending for Plastic Reinforcement Porsche Motorsport 718 Cayman GT4 CS MR featuring a full natural fiber bodywork kit. Courtesy of BComp. ### BComp, a Swiss composites company brings to the table a natural fiber alternative for reinforced plastics compared to carbon fiber Fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) are increasingly in demand in the aerospace and automotive industry. Also, the CFRP market is projected to register a CAGR of 8% between 2023 and 2028. However, the sustainability of these types of composites has been an issue due to their complexity for recycling and high CO2 footprint. ## Mechanical properties and footprint BComp uses flax, a plant with a long fiber that possesses very good mechanical properties and outstanding damping properties in relation to its density, making it especially suited as a natural fiber reinforcement for all kinds of polymers. Global warming potential from carbon fiber and flax fiber. Courtesy of BComp. Both carbon fiber and flax composites use the same epoxy resin, which is not from renewable sources and disables recycling. But, as flax laminates are made from a plant that absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere during its growth, CO2 remains neutral. Natural fiber could be an alternative to carbon reinforcement, since they could achieve similar mechanical properties but with [much less CO2 emissions.](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2023/10/biobased-polymers-and-natural-fibers-cut-carbon-emissions-002316/#!) ## From automotive to sports The company has been using its main flax product named AmpliTEX broadly in the automotive industry. Flax fiber composite in Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris’s seats from McLaren Racing. Courtesy of BComp. Furthermore, it has been well-proven in demanding motorsport applications like Formula 1, Formula E, and SuperFormula. This includes Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris’s seats for McLaren Racing in 2023. Massive production vehicles like the new [Volvo EX30](https://www.bcomp.ch/news/sustainable-flax-composites-enter-serial-automotive-production-in-new-volvo-ex30/) are using this technology, as well as sports equipment like [K2 skis](https://www.bcomp.com/news/bcomps-flax-technical-material-lifts-ski-performance-through-k2-collaboration/) and the Adidas padel racquet, that will include natural flax fiber composite. This shows indeed the versatility of the solution. In conclusion, the natural fiber trend eagers brand owners to find more sustainable processes for their part production and end-of-life. By **[Juliana Montoya](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/jmontoyaplasticsengineering-org/)** | October 24, 2023 [https://www.plasticsengineering.org](https://www.plasticsengineering.org) ##### [Juliana Montoya](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/jmontoyaplasticsengineering-org/) [Website](https://www.plasticsengineering.org) | [+ postsBio ⮌](#) Juliana Montoya is Director of Content for Plastics Engineering. A mechanical engineer with an MSc in materials engineering, she has experience as a sustainability and packaging consultant focused on ecodesign and recycling. Her work centers on technical content for the plastics industry, connecting polymer innovation, manufacturing trends, and sustainability strategy for industry audiences. - Juliana Montoya [From PhD Research to ASTM Standard: Apoorva Kulkarni Advances Aquatic Biodegradation Testing](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/apoorva-kulkarni-astm-d8646-aquatic-biodegradation-012332/) - Juliana Montoya [In-Line Resin Monitoring Targets Recycled Resin Variability](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/in-line-resin-monitoring-targets-recycled-resin-variability-012269/) - Juliana Montoya [How PCR, PFAS Rules and EPR Are Reshaping Healthcare Foams](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/how-pcr-pfas-rules-and-epr-are-reshaping-healthcare-foams-012113/) - Juliana Montoya [2026 Injection Molding Summit Spotlights Metal 3D Printing](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/07/2026-injection-molding-summit-spotlights-metal-3d-printing-012006/) ### Other posts you could read [September 17, 2026Why Plastic Additives Matter for Performance and Circularity](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/why-plastic-additives-matter-for-performance-and-circularity-012138/) [September 24, 2026Circular Automotive Foams: Recyclable TPE for Soft-Touch Parts](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/circular-automotive-foams-recyclable-tpe-for-soft-touch-parts-012126/) [September 11, 2026What Early Plastics Recovery Efforts Got Right and Wrong](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/what-early-plastics-recovery-efforts-got-right-and-wrong-012060/) [September 29, 2026Digitalization Makes LCA More Accurate and Traceable](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/digitalization-makes-lca-more-accurate-and-traceable-012163/) [September 10, 2026Plastics Logistics Evolves From Railcars to Intermodal Systems](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/plastics-logistics-evolves-from-railcars-to-intermodal-systems-012057/) [October 1, 2026Active Biopolymer Films Target Food Oxidation and Spoilage](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/10/active-biopolymer-films-target-food-oxidation-and-spoilage-012217/) [September 18, 2026Flexloop Targets High-Purity Recycling for Flexible Packaging](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/flexloop-targets-high-purity-recycling-for-flexible-packaging-012132/) [September 28, 2026Why Halogen-Free Flame Retardants Still Challenge Compounders](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/why-halogen-free-flame-retardants-still-challenge-compounders-012160/) ### One comment Join the discussion and tell us your opinion. 1. [Salvatore J.~ Monte](https://4kenrich.com/) says: [February 19, 2024 at 11:41 am](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2023/10/natural-fibers-are-trending-for-plastic-reinforcement-002143/#comment-370) Because 1.5-nanometer titanates and zirconates couple via proton coordination it is possible to couple hemp fibers as they do graphite and CaCO3. 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