Book Review Flax and
Book Review Flax and Hemp fibres: At the last JEC Composite Show & Conferences (27-29 March, Paris, France) the European Confederation of Linen and Hemp (CELC) and the JEC Group (the largest international organization of the composite materials industry) co-published a new technical and scientific publication on renewable natural fibre based composite solutions. ‘Flax and Hemp fibres: a natural solution for the composite industry’ is said to be a reference point in the composite sector. It is the result of several years of research by CELC’s European Scientific Committee (CSE), backed up by the organised production and distribution chain and increasingly productive R&D efforts, as stated by the publishers. a natural solution for the composite industry co-publisehd March 2012 by JEC Group and CELC ISBN 978-2-9526276-1-0 The new book aims to help companies that have been produced mainly glass and carbon fiber composite materials, to identify new opportunities in the use of bio-based materials. It promotes the choice of flax and hemp fibres within the framework of an effective eco-design initiative and calls attention to the importance of an open-innovation approach to meet the needs of the industry over the medium and long term. The 200 page English-language book studies the mechanical and specific properties of the flax and hemp used in polymer reinforcement and assesses their major environmental advantages. The objective: help advance knowledge on fibres and preforms (UDs, fabrics, non crimp fabrics, mats, prepregs, compounds, etc.) and win over new industrial segments. The studies are put into perspective with analyses of converting and manufacturing processes. Therefore, the publication is dedicated not only to R&D engineers who use fibres, but also to the entire composite industrial chain, according to the JEC Group. Ten contributors from different European institutes and universities pooled their knowledge to present a comprehensive introduction and overview. The book features lots of high quality color images (photographs and graphs) and is complemented by many references and web-addresses for further reading. Michael Thielen 16 bioplastics MAGAZINE [03/12] Vol. 7
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