1. Issues

The choice of natural fibers is not simply a matter of substituting synthetic fibers, as they have specific characteristics that are worth exploiting, such as their renewable origin, their durability and biodegradability (which can be seen as a paradox), the high specific mechanical performance of certain fibers, the low energy demand required for their production (compared with glass or carbon fibers, for example) and the possibility of incinerating them at the end of their life to recover energy.

Manufacturers are exploiting these specific features and using biocomposites in a variety of ways, as they allow them to :

• implement an eco-design approach with the aim of reducing environmental impact