Sustainable biobased composites: From raw materials to recycling

Biobased composites, which consist of natural fibers and biobased polymer binders, are gaining traction due to their renewability, low carbon footprint, lightweight nature, multifunctionality, and potential recycling capabilities. Despite their promise, these materials face challenges such as moisture sensitivity, thermal degradation, and limited durability, often due to weak fiber-matrix interfaces. Addressing these challenges and advancing their development requires a comprehensive understanding of material constituents, interfacial behavior, processing techniques, and lifecycle performance. However, existing reviews remain scattered, typically focusing on a single aspect, such as material development and fabrication methods. In this paper, we provide an integrated overview of the biobased composites across the full lifecycle, from raw material selection and interface treatments to scalable manufacturing, recycling, and end-use applications. We summarize various surface treatment methods used to enhance the mechanical properties, durability, and functionality of biocomposites, and systematically compare their performance, cost, and biodegradability. Scalable production techniques that affect the structure and properties of biocomposite products are compared. End-of-life management routes, including mechanical, chemical, and thermal recycling, are evaluated with respect to cost and efficiency. The industrial applications and future research directions are also explored to promote the wider adoption of biobased composites across key sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and construction.