Environmental Effects, Biodegradation, and Life Cycle Analysis of Fully Biodegradable “Green” Composites

Research efforts are progressing toward developing a new class of fully biodegradable green composites by combining fibers with biodegradable resins. The major attractions about green composites are that they are eco-friendly, fully degradable, and sustainable, that is, they are truly green in every way. Green composites may be used effectively in many applications such as mass-produced consumer products with short life cycles or products intended for one time or short time use before disposal. The important biodegradable matrices are polyamides, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl acetate, polyglycolic acid, and polylactic acid (PLA), which are synthetic as well as polysaccharides, starch, chitin, cellulose, proteins, collagens/gelatin, lignin, and so on, which are natural [1]. Bio-based composites with their constituents developed from renewable resources are being developed and their application has extended to almost all fields. Natural fiber composites can be used as a substitute for timber and for a number of other applications. It can be molded into sheets, boards, gratings, pallets, frames, structural sections, and many other shapes. They can be used as a substitute for wood, metal, or masonry for partitions, false ceiling, facades, barricades, fences, railings, flooring, roofing, wall tiles, and so on [2]. It can also be used for prefabricated housing, cubicles, kiosks, awnings, and sheds/shelters.