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Sustainable Composites: A Review with Critical Questions to Guide Future Initiatives

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  • Martin A. Hubbe

    (Department of Forest Biomaterials, College of Natural Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8005, USA)

Abstract

Composites, which have become very common in mass-produced items, have the potential to outperform similar materials made from any one of their individual components. This tutorial review article considers published studies that shine a light on what is required for such structures to earn the name “sustainable”. The focus is on a series of questions that deal with such issues as the carbon footprint, other life-cycle impacts, durability, recyclability without major loss of value, reusability of major parts, and the practical likelihood of various end-of-life options. To achieve the needed broader impacts of limited research dollars, it is important that researchers choose their research topics carefully. Among a great many possible options for preparing truly eco-friendly composite materials, it will be important to focus attention on the much smaller subset of technologies that have a high probability of commercial success and large-scale implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin A. Hubbe, 2023. "Sustainable Composites: A Review with Critical Questions to Guide Future Initiatives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:14:p:11088-:d:1195080
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jawed Qureshi, 2022. "A Review of Recycling Methods for Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Deger Saygin & Dolf Gielen, 2021. "Zero-Emission Pathway for the Global Chemical and Petrochemical Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-28, June.
    3. Ullah, Mehran & Sarkar, Biswajit, 2020. "Recovery-channel selection in a hybrid manufacturing-remanufacturing production model with RFID and product quality," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 360-374.
    4. Laleman, Ruben & Albrecht, Johan & Dewulf, Jo, 2011. "Life Cycle Analysis to estimate the environmental impact of residential photovoltaic systems in regions with a low solar irradiation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 267-281, January.
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