According to the Confederation, the American market is characterized by practical expectations, strong reaction capacity, and a growing interest in green materials with proven performance. These criteria open up positive prospects for flax and hemp.

Renewable resources

Composites based on the renewable resources that are available on the market are usually bio-sourced only through the use of natural fibre reinforcements.

Since the matrix usually accounts for more than half of the composite’s weight, research is being focused on the development of more environment-friendly resins.

Within the framework of this type of advance, CELC’s Technical Section is partnering with the Industry & Agricultural Resource Competitive Cluster IAR to keep tabs on the new-generation resins presented in the Flax & Hemp Composites Village at the JEC Europe trade show.

Natural fibre reinforcements

Besides contributing to a better eco-balance, natural fibre reinforcements bring new advantages to end products, such as low weight and high mechanical performance, as CELC’s Flax and Hemp Village exhibition of consumer products will demonstrate.

In keeping with this B2C marketing reality, JEC’s Composites for better living programme will feature a large exhibit of end products that incorporate the advances of new generations of composites. More than a third of the products exhibited include flax or hemp composites.

Sports and leisure

While they provide effective solutions for applications where stiffness and low weight are sought, composite materials can lack sufficient vibration damping power. For sports equipment, composite materials are used for their essential weight reduction advantages; flax and hemp reinforcements can help absorb the vibrations inherent to these composite materials.

For example, to have full control over the bow’s power, the archer who seeks increased accuracy looks for a stiff riser (the grip) and fast, flexible limbs. A new generation of tournament bows marketed by the South Korean manufacturer WIAWIS has the performance of a composite that combines nanocarbon and flax fibres: 40% optimisation in terms both of better stability of movement and of vibration reduction, thanks to the incorporation of a flax veil preimpregnated with epoxy resin into a nanocarbon fabric laminate.

Everyday accessories

When visible, flax and hemp fibres add an aesthetic dimension that is a definite visual plus for a product. A number of creative items in the personal goods sector stand out for this type of natural look with new functionalities.

Lightweight items such as the Custom6 spectacle frames are made of a flax composite, which guarantees strength and water resistance along with the use of renewable raw materials. Plasticana‘s boots made of 30% hemp fibre are an example of optimised recyclability, with an impeccable look and comfort for the foot.

www.europeanflax.com