Development of fully green composites utilizing thermoplastic starch and cellulosic fibers from agro-waste: a critical review

ABSTRACT

The growing awareness of environmental concerns and the increasing demand for sustainable materials have driven the development of eco-friendly alternatives. Green composites have emerged as a widely adopted solution, owing to their biodegradability, eco-friendliness, and environmental benefits. Among green composites starch-based composites have made significant progress toward commercially viable products, but their weak mechanical characteristics, high hydrophilicity, and high density limit their widespread application. Researchers are exploring using agro-waste cellulosic fibers, abundant by-products from agricultural practices, as reinforcing fillers in the thermoplastic starch matrix. This critical review aims to highlights significant advancements made by incorporating agro-waste cellulosic fibers into various starch matrices. The findings reveal that the integration of these materials significantly enhances the mechanical properties, water resistance, and biodegradability of the resulting composites. This review also offers researchers and industry professionals valuable insights into sustainable materials.

KEYWORDS:

• Agro-waste fibers
• bio-based polymer
• cellulosic fibers
• green composite
• sustainable materials
• thermoplastic starch

Acknowledgments

The author expresses gratitude to the current and previous group of researchers in the field of textile composite.

Disclosure statement

The authors declared that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Funding

This review did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not for profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

Bekinew Kitaw Dejene

Bekinew Kitaw Dejene is a dedicated member of the Textile Engineering department at Hawassa University and a student at Bahirdar University, located in Ethiopia. He graduated in textile Engineering from Bahirdar University. He holds expertise in the fields of textile composite, nanotechnology, and technical composite.

Tsige Mamo Geletaw

Tsige Mamo Geletaw is currently a member of the Natural Resource Economics and Policy Department at Hawassa University, located in Ethiopia. She graduated in Natural resource economics and policy from Hawassa University.