Pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by compression molding. The fiber content varied from 25% to 45% by weight. Water uptake percentages of the composites containing various wt% of fiber were measured. All the composites demonstrated lower water uptake percentages and maximum of 1.93% for 45 wt% PALF/PP composite treated with 7(w/v)% NaOH. Tensile Strength (TS), Tensile Modulus (TM), Elongation at Break (Eb %), Bending Strength (BS), Bending Modulus (BM), and Impact Strength (IS) were evaluated for various fiber content. The 45 wt% PALF/PP composite exhibited an increase of 210% TS, 412% TM, 155% BS, 265% BM, and 140% IS compared to PP matrix. Moreover, with the increasing of fiber content, all the mechanical properties increase significantly; for example, 45 wt% fiber loading exhibited the best mechanical property. Fibers were also treated with different concentration of NaOH and the effects of alkali concentrations were observed. The composite treated with 7 (w/v)% NaOH exhibited an increase of 25.35% TS, 43.45% TM, 15.78% BS, and 52% BM but 23.11% decrease of IS compared to untreated composite. Alkali treatment improved the adhesive characteristics of fiber surface by removing natural impurities, hence improving the mechanical properties. However, over 7% NaOH concentration of the tensile strength of the composite reduced slightly due to overexposure of fibers to NaOH.

Four types of nonwovens were prepared from different sections of the banana tree e.g., outer bark (OB), middle bark (MB), inner bark (IB) and midrib of leaf (MR) by wet laid web formation. They were reinforced with two different types of matrices e.g., epoxy and polyester, to make eight variants of composites. Treatments including alkali on raw fibers, water repellent on nonwovens and gamma radiation on composites were applied in order to investigate their effects on properties of the composites such as water absorbency, tensile strength (TS), flexural strength (FS) and elongation at break (Eb%). Variations in the morphological structure and chemical composition of both raw banana fibers and fibers reinforced by the treatments were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). OB composites exhibited higher water absorbency, TS and FS and lower Eb% compared to other types of composites. Epoxy composites were found to have 16% lower water absorbency, 41.2% higher TS and 39.1% higher FS than polyester composites on an average. Water absorbency of the composites was reduced 32% by the alkali treatment and a further 63% by water repellent treatment. TS and FS of the composites were on average improved 71% and 87% by alkali treatment and a further 30% and 35% by gamma radiation respectively.

Hemp fibers have mechanical characteristics similar to those of synthetic fibers, which makes them an attractive material for producing environmentally friendly composites. Hemp fibers have excellent mechanical properties and a unique hydrophilicity, requiring for extra attention in composite formulations. Hemp fibers are a very versatile vegetable fiber that is frequently utilized in structural composites. In addition, hemp has shown potential in a variety of other fields, including as sports goods, building, and lighter materials. The present article aims to give a comprehensive summary of the status of sophisticated studies in hemp fiber reinforced composites at present time. The most important research on thermoset and thermoplastic materials reinforced with hemp fiber is compiled and discussed in this publication. This document also provides an overview of the primary attributes of hemp fibers, talks about how to develop these attributes chemically, explains how to create and describe hemp fiber composites, and identifies areas that need more research. In summary, this study ends with several important recommendations and future approaches that draw attention to the issues that require further investigation and potential industrialization of composites.Highlights: Advances in hemp fiber extraction and chemical treatments. Performance traits of hemp‐reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic composites. Tribological, and moisture absorption properties of hemp fiber composites. SEM analysis revealing composite structural characteristics. Future applications and sustainability of hemp fiber in polymers.

Woven jute fabric was used as a reinforcing material for making two types of composite, named Jute/PR and Jute/Epoxy, with two different matrixes of polyester resin and epoxy, respectively, by hand layup techniques. Five different doses of gamma radiation from 100 to 500 krad were used to investigate the effects of the mechanical properties of the composites and the jute fabrics. Though gamma radiation improved the mechanical properties, such as the tensile strength (TS) and Young’s modulus (Y), and decreased the elongation at break % (Eb%) of the composites, it deteriorated all these properties for jute fabrics. The highest values of TS and Y and the lowest value of Eb% were found to be 39.44 Mpa, 1218.33 Mpa, and 7.68% for the Jute/PR; and 48.83 Mpa, 1459.67 Mpa, and 3.68% for the Jute/Epoxy composites, respectively, at a 300 krad gamma radiation dose. A further increase in dose altered all these properties; thus, 300 krad was found to be the optimum dose for both of the composites. Between the two composites, gamma radiation influenced the Jute/PR composite more than the Jute/Epoxy composite.

The conversion of bio-waste into green nanocomposites offers an innovative and sustainable solution to global waste management challenges while advancing material science. Bio-waste, often seen as a disposal burden, can be transformed into high-performance, eco-friendly nanocomposites that significantly enhance environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. This review explores recent advancements in utilizing bio-waste as a raw material, focusing on its diverse origins, efficient preparation techniques, and broad applications. A wide range of bio-resources, from agricultural to industrial waste, has been studied, offering valuable insights into their properties and potential uses. The review also examines processing technologies for converting bio-waste into functional nanocomposites, showcasing their efficiency and innovation. Bio-waste-derived green nanocomposites have demonstrated remarkable potential in fields such as packaging, biomedical devices, environmental remediation, agriculture, electronics, and the automotive industry. Additionally, these materials exhibit a significantly lower environmental footprint compared to traditional materials, addressing key challenges like plastic pollution and environmental degradation. Despite these benefits, challenges remain in scaling up industrial production, including economic constraints, health and safety concerns, and technical limitations. This review identifies these barriers and proposes strategies to overcome them, supporting further development in the field. Ultimately, the study underscores the urgent need for continued research and innovation to unlock the full potential of bio-waste as a valuable resource. By promoting a circular economy and reducing reliance on non-renewable resources, bio-waste-derived nanocomposites pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.