A team from the University of Portsmouth’s School of Engineering is developing lightweight materials from agriculture biomass including flax, hemp, jute and waste biomass date palm fibres which have the potential to provide farmers with extra income and reduce C02 emissions from the burning of waste.

Dr Hom Nath Dhakal, who leads the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (AMM) Research Group at the university, said: “We are working to address the key challenges of using natural reinforced composites for structural and semi-structural applications such as internal engine covers, seat backs and roof structures, among others.

“The impact of this work could be extremely significant because these lightweight alternatives could help reduce the weight of vehicles, contributing to less fuel consumption and fewer C02 emissions. The sustainable materials can be produced using less energy than glass and carbon fibres and are biodegradable and therefore easier to recycle.”

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