JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #130 - September/October 2019 - 29

Flax and hemp fibres: the biobased solution for the composites industry

Tab.1: Increase in market volumes of biobased composites (WFC and NFC) in Europe from 2012 to 2017, in different application areas

Biobased composites
(NFC, WPC and others)

Main production method

2012
Tonnes

2017
Tonnes

CARG
%

Decking, siding and fencing

Extrusion

190,000

200,000

1

Automotive

Compression moulding

150,000

150,000

0

Technical application, furniture and consumer goods

Injection moulding, compression moulding, RTM, 3D

17,000

60,000

29

Total

-

357,000

410,000

3

CELC flax and
hemp composites
directory

worldwide production (CELC2017/2018).
The above numbers do not take
the production of linseed flax for
oil into consideration.
Flax/Linen is a multi-use fibre
for numerous and innovative
applications: fashion textile,
60%; lifestyle textile, 30%;
and technical products including composites, 10%.
In 2016, The European production of hemp fibres was about
25,000 tonnes.
The main application is in high
quality paper, for 57%. Insulation
accounts for 26%, and the use in
biocomposites, for 14%.
The supply of both flax and hemp
fibres is secure, and the produc-

tion chain is well organized. The
flax and hemp manufacturers and
subsectors use several operational
techniques to secure a reliable
supply:
-- Contractual agreements: stakeholders commit to specific
volumes, prices and qualities
-- Co-partnerships: bringing in
fibre producers as partners
-- Buffer stocks: safety inventories
to guarantee a reliable supply in
terms of available volumes and
fibre quality
-- Multi-supplier resources: increasing the number of fibre
supply outlets cuts down on
dependence and lowers risk
and can even push suppliers
to compete.

Cartography
A new platform dedicated to the
use of natural flax and hemp fibres
in high-performance composite
applications is now available online. Aimed at industrialists, this
professional directory identifies
and references the operational
solutions developed by members
of the CELC Technical Centre.
Beyond a clear and transparent
presentation of the value chain
and professions of the flax and
hemp industry, the platform
qualifies the know-how and
quantifies for the very first time
the production of an evolutionary
product offering, complemented
by a panel of services and technical support (characterization,

N°130 September - October 2019

numerical calculations ...). A tool
that offers legibility to manufacturers via a unique nomenclature
and technical, scientific and
commercial visibility for each of
the 'composite' CELC players.
With its 5 thematic entries
(fibre producers; reinforcement
and semi-product producers;
merchants and distributors; manufacturing composite processors;
technical support & services),
this interactive directory is questionable by company, product or
keyword.
An identity card by company
is available with for each, date
of creation, salary size, global
turnover and percentage of turnover achieved in export, sectors of
activity and core business.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be stated that
the flax and hemp fibre industry
offers a dynamic and reliable
production/value chain.
Of all-natural fibres used as a
reinforcement for composites,
flax and hemp have the longest
history in developing high performance products. The flax and
hemp industry is well organized,
both nationally and internationally, and offers a strong service to
the composite industry.
More information:
www.jeccomposites.com
www.europeanflax.com
www.flaxandhempdirectory.com

/ jec composites magazine

29
http://www.jeccomposites.com http://www.europeanflax.com http://www.flaxandhempdirectory.com
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #130 - September/October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #130 - September/October 2019
