A review on waste wood reinforced polymer composites and their processing for construction materials

The necessity to utilise environmentally friendly resources has emerged due to environmental management. With the demand for the production of plastics and wood materials, pollution has increased. Consequently, the attraction in natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) is rapidly emerging in the construction industry, mainly to replace synthetic fibre composites. The intensified interest is associated with manufacturing 'green' and lightweight panels. This review provides insight into the prospects and challenges related to the processing of wood waste-reinforced polymer composites. Using natural fibres, especially waste as raw material, is desirable for developing value-added products to mitigate environmental pollution. The current materials used for the wood-based composites are reviewed as disadvantages associated with wood plastic composites, such as low interfacial bonding. Efforts such as chemical treatment are outlined to wood fibres to manufacture an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, lightweight, and biodegradable composite with enhanced structural properties was provided. Various waste plastics, plant dust, and coupling agents-based composites investigated for applications, and emerging aspects of wood plastic composite for construction materials applications are outlined.

Automated summary

The necessity for environmentally friendly resources has driven the development of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) in the construction industry. The use of natural fibres, particularly waste materials, holds promise in developing value-added products while mitigating environmental pollution. However, current wood-based composites have disadvantages such as low interfacial bonding. Efforts to chemically treat wood fibres and produce environmentally friendly, cost-effective, lightweight, and biodegradable composites with enhanced structural properties are crucial. Additionally, various waste plastics, plant dust, and coupling agents have been investigated for wood plastic composites application in construction materials.