composite materials made up of flax, wood and cotton could soon be used as an alternative for conventional reinforced plastics. This would also lead to the creation of a new high-value crop for farmers. The new composite materials are very cost effective and easy to dispose off.

The project to develop composite materials, is likely to lead to a new generation of stable, high-performance bio-composites that will be used in automotive and aerospace industries. The plant fibres will provide a readily renewable resource.

These plant fibres are as useful as glass and carbon fibre. But being inherently water-reactive, they absorb water and swell in the presence of moisture.To prevent this, John Botton and his team at the Bio Composites Centre, University College of North Wales, have developed a process that will help industry to use such fibres for manufacturing a wide range of products. The project will help in upgrading the low-value agricultural produce and providing scope for a new type of rural industry.