A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

The present invention provides methods for obtaining Baobab fibers derived from Baobab trees. The methods include obtaining Baobab plant material, dewatering of the Baobab plant material, and subsequent separation of the dewatered Baobab plant material. The present invention allows a resource-saving separation of the fibers, for example, through a dewatering of the Baobab plant material. Baobab fibers obtained according to the methods of the present invention can be used for a variety of purposes, for instance, for producing chemical pulp, paper, paperboard, carton, special papers, fabrics and fiber-reinforced plastics.

The present invention provides methods for obtaining Baobab fibers derived from Baobab trees. The methods include obtaining Baobab plant material, dewatering of the Baobab plant material, and subsequent separation of the dewatered Baobab plant material. The present invention allows a resource-saving separation of the fibers, for example, through a dewatering of the Baobab plant material. Baobab fibers obtained according to the methods of the present invention can be used for a variety of purposes, for instance, for producing chemical pulp, paper, paperboard, carton, special papers, fabrics and fiber-reinforced plastics.

A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

A method and system for the production of fibers for use in biocomposites is provided that includes the ability to use both retted and unretted straw, that keeps the molecular structure of the fibers intact by subjecting the fibers to minimal stress, that maximizes the fiber's aspect ratio, that maximizes the strength of the fibers, and that minimizes time and energy inputs, along with maintaining the fibers in good condition for bonding to the polymer(s) used with the fibers to form the biocomposite material. This consequently increases the functionality of the biocomposites produced (i.e. reinforcement, sound absorption, light weight, heat capacity, etc.), increasing their marketability. Additionally, as the disclosed method does not damage the fibers, oilseed flax straw, as well as all types of fibrous materials (i.e. fiber flax, banana, jute, industrial hemp, sisal, coir) etc., can be processed in bio composite materials.

A composite material and process for forming composite material. The composite material comprises a quantity of plastinated plant distributed within a matrix material. The process comprises separating a plant material into plant fibers plastinating the plant fibers and combining the plastinated plant fibers with a matrix material. The plant fibers may be selected form the group consisting of bamboo, hemp and flax. The plant fibers may be formed by crushing a portion of a plant. The matrix material may comprise Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). The PET may be shredded and heated. The heated composite material may be formed into rebar and be arranged in a pattern within a concrete slurry.

A composite material developed for manufacturing thermoformed products has applications in furniture making, automotive industry, etc. The composite material for thermoforming is made of a thermoplastic fibrous component consisting of 4-60 mm long and 7-16 DEN polypropylene fibers representing 40% to 50% of the total material weight, and a plant fiber component which can be hemp, jute, sisal, coconut, etc., or a mix of natural fibers which is 70-80 DEN and 5 to 100 mm in length and represents 60% to 50% of the total material weight. Manufacturing the composite material comprises proportioning the components, followed by mixing and coarse defibering, then fine mixing in a four-chamber module which also opens the natural fibers to 70-80 DEN, followed by the consolidation of the fibers and rolling of the resulting fabric in a roll. The machinery for manufacturing the composite material has a modular structure, comprising two modules (1 and 2) for feeding the components, two modules (3 and 4) for weighing and proportioning the components, a primary mixing and coarse defibering module (5), a module (7) for fine mixing and fiber opening, an interlacing module (8), and a module (9) for pulling and rolling the final fabric.

A composite material developed for manufacturing thermoformed products has applications in furniture making, automotive industry, etc. The composite material for thermoforming is made of a thermoplastic fibrous component consisting of 4-60 mm long and 7-16 DEN polypropylene fibers representing 40% to 50% of the total material weight, and a plant fiber component which can be hemp, jute, sisal, coconut, etc., or a mix of natural fibers which is 70-80 DEN and 5 to 100 mm in length and represents 60% to 50% of the total material weight. Manufacturing the composite material comprises proportioning the components, followed by mixing and coarse defibering, then fine mixing in a four-chamber module which also opens the natural fibers to 70-80 DEN, followed by the consolidation of the fibers and rolling of the resulting fabric in a roll. The machinery for manufacturing the composite material has a modular structure, comprising two modules (1 and 2) for feeding the components, two modules (3 and 4) for weighing and proportioning the components, a primary mixing and coarse defibering module (5), a module (7) for fine mixing and fiber opening, an interlacing module (8), and a module (9) for pulling and rolling the final fabric.