The Global Market for Next-Gen Natural Fibers 2023-2033

Published August 2022 | 325 pages, 114 figures, 58 tables | Download Table of contents

Synthetic fibers are relatively expensive and require many harmful chemicals during production, which impact humans and the environment. Conversely, bio-based materials such as natural fibers have lower production costs and offer similar or better mechanical properties compared to traditional materials.

Next-gen natural fibers offer an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil based plastic, as they originate from renewable sources, and support industrial composting at the end of life. Demand for sustainability in, for example, the fashion industry is at an all-time high, and many brands are seeking to deliver more environmentally-friendly fibers and fabrics. Fibers derived from bio-based sources such as plant-based (ligno) cellulosics and animal-based protein are termed natural fibers (NF). This includes natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton, jute, sisal, coir, flax, hemp, abaca, ramie, etc.) and protein-based fibers such as wool and silk. Man-made cellulose fibers (e.g., viscose rayon, cellulose acetate and nanocellulose) that are produced with chemical procedures from pulped wood or other sources (cotton, bamboo, biomass) are also covered in this report under the natural fibers definition.

The market for next-gen natural fibers has grown significantly over the last two years, with investments of nearly $1 billion in 2021. Bolt Threads raised a $253 million USD Series E at a $1.15 billion USD valuation, Ecovative raised a $60 million USD Series D, and Natural Fiber Welding received backing from BMWi Ventures and Allbirds, raising $15 million USD. Japan-based Spiber raised $313 million USD in funding.

Report contents include:

Market drivers for next-gen natural fibers.
Market trends in next-gen natural fibers.
Global revenues for next-gen natural fibers 2023-2033, by fiber types, market and region.
Technology challenges.
Analysis of types of next-gen natural fibers including plant-derived fibers, cultivated animal fibers cell fibers, microbe-derived fibers etc.
Markets for next-gen natural fibers, including composites, aerospace, automotive, construction & building, sports & leisure, textiles, consumer products and packaging.
Profiles of 185 next-gen natural fiber companies. Companies profiled include Algaeing, Ananas Anam, BASF, Bast Fiber Technologies Inc., Blue Ocean Closures, Coastgrass ApS, Kelheim Fibres GmbH, BComp, Circular Systems, Evrnu, Natural Fiber Welding, Icytos and many more.

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 20

1.1 What are next-gen natural fibers? 20
1.2 Benefits of natural fibers over synthetic 23
1.3 Markets and applications for next-gen natural fibers 24
1.4 Recent commercial activity in next-gen natural fibers 26
1.5 Commercially available next-gen natural fiber products 28
1.6 Market drivers for next-gen natural fibers 31
1.7 Challenges 32

2 NATURAL FIBER TYPES 33

2.1 Manufacturing method, matrix materials and applications of natural fibers 34
2.2 Advantages of natural fibers 36
2.3 Plants (cellulose, lignocellulose) 37
- 2.3.1 Seed fibers 37
  - 2.3.1.1 Cotton 37
  - 2.3.1.2 Kapok 38
  - 2.3.1.3 Luffa 39
- 2.3.2 Bast fibers 41
  - 2.3.2.1 Jute 41
  - 2.3.2.2 Hemp 43
  - 2.3.2.3 Flax 45
  - 2.3.2.4 Ramie 47
  - 2.3.2.5 Kenaf 49
- 2.3.3 Leaf fibers 50
  - 2.3.3.1 Sisal 51
  - 2.3.3.2 Abaca 52
- 2.3.4 Fruit fibers 53
  - 2.3.4.1 Coir 54
  - 2.3.4.2 Banana 55
  - 2.3.4.3 Pineapple 57
- 2.3.5 Stalk fibers from agricultural residues 59
  - 2.3.5.1 Rice fiber 59
  - 2.3.5.2 Corn 59
- 2.3.6 Cane, grasses and reed 60
  - 2.3.6.1 Switch grass 60
  - 2.3.6.2 Sugarcane (agricultural residues) 61
  - 2.3.6.3 Bamboo 62
  - 2.3.6.4 Fresh grass (green biorefinery) 63
- 2.3.7 Modified natural polymers 63
  - 2.3.7.1 Mycelium 64
  - 2.3.7.2 Chitosan 67
  - 2.3.7.3 Alginate 67
2.4 Animal (fibrous protein) 69
- 2.4.1 Wool 69
  - 2.4.1.1 Plant-derived wool 70
  - 2.4.1.2 Microbe-derived wool 71
  - 2.4.1.3 Cultivated animal cell wool 72
  - 2.4.1.4 Producers 72
- 2.4.2 Silk fiber 72
  - 2.4.2.1 Plant-derived silk 73
  - 2.4.2.2 Microbe-derived silk 74
  - 2.4.2.3 Producers 74
- 2.4.3 Leather 76
  - 2.4.3.1 Plant-derived leather 77
  - 2.4.3.2 Mycelium leather 78
  - 2.4.3.3 Microbe-derived leather 79
  - 2.4.3.4 Cultivated animal cell leather 79
  - 2.4.3.5 Producers 80
- 2.4.4 Fur 82
  - 2.4.4.1 Plant-derived fur 82
  - 2.4.4.2 Cultivated animal cell fur 83
  - 2.4.4.3 Producers 83
2.4.5 Down 84
- 2.4.5.1 Plant-derived down 85
- 2.4.5.2 Microbe-derived down 86
- 2.4.5.3 Producers 87
2.5 Polysaccharides 88
- 2.5.1 Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) 88
  - 2.5.1.1 Market analysis 88
  - 2.5.1.2 Producers 89
- 2.5.2 Cellulose nanocrystals 90
  - 2.5.2.1 Market analysis 90
  - 2.5.2.2 Producers 91
- 2.5.3 Cellulose nanofibers 92
  - 2.5.3.1 Market analysis 92
  - 2.5.3.2 Producers 93

3 MARKETS FOR NEXT-GEN NATURAL FIBERS 95

3.1 Composites 95
- 3.1.1 Applications 96
- 3.1.2 Natural fiber injection moulding compounds 97
  - 3.1.2.1 Properties 97
  - 3.1.2.2 Applications 98
- 3.1.3 Non-woven natural fiber mat composites 98
  - 3.1.3.1 Automotive 98
  - 3.1.3.2 Applications 99
- 3.1.4 Aligned natural fiber-reinforced composites 99
- 3.1.5 Natural fiber biobased polymer compounds 100
- 3.1.6 Natural fiber biobased polymer non-woven mats 101
  - 3.1.6.1 Flax 101
  - 3.1.6.2 Kenaf 101
- 3.1.7 Natural fiber thermoset bioresin composites 101
3.2 Aerospace 102
- 3.2.1 Market overview 102
3.3 Automotive 103
- 3.3.1 Market overview 103
- 3.3.2 Applications of natural fibers 107
3.4 Building/construction 108
- 3.4.1 Market overview 108
- 3.4.2 Applications of natural fibers 109
3.5 Sports and leisure 110
- 3.5.1 Market overview 110
3.6 Textiles 111
- 3.6.1 Market overview 111
- 3.6.2 Consumer apparel 113
- 3.6.3 Geotextiles 114
3.7 Packaging 115
- 3.7.1 Market overview 116

4 GLOBAL NATURAL FIBERS MARKET 117

4.1 Overall global fibers market 117
4.2 Plant-based fiber production 120
4.3 Animal-based natural fiber production 121

5 NATURAL FIBER PRODUCERS AND PRODUCT DEVELOPER PROFILES 122 (185 company profiles)

6 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 319

7 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 320

8 REFERENCES 321

TABLES

Table 1. Types of next-gen natural fibers. 20
Table 2. Markets and applications for natural fibers. 24
Table 3. Recent commercial activity in natural fibers. 26
Table 4. Commercially available next-gen natural fiber products. 28
Table 5. Market drivers for natural fibers. 31
Table 6. Application, manufacturing method, and matrix materials of natural fibers. 34
Table 7. Typical properties of natural fibers. 36
Table 8. Overview of cotton fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 37
Table 9. Overview of kapok fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 38
Table 10. Overview of luffa fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 40
Table 11. Overview of jute fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 41
Table 12. Overview of hemp fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 43
Table 13. Overview of flax fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 45
Table 14. Overview of ramie fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 47
Table 15. Overview of kenaf fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 49
Table 16. Overview of sisal fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 51
Table 17. Overview of abaca fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 52
Table 18. Overview of coir fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 54
Table 19. Overview of banana fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 55
Table 20. Overview of pineapple fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 57
Table 21. Overview of rice fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 59
Table 22. Overview of corn fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 59
Table 23. Overview of switch grass fibers-description, properties and applications. 60
Table 24. Overview of sugarcane fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and application and market size. 61
Table 25. Overview of bamboo fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 62
Table 26. Overview of mycelium fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 66
Table 27. Overview of chitosan fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 67
Table 28. Overview of alginate-description, properties, application and market size. 67
Table 29. Overview of wool fibers-description, properties, drawbacks and applications. 69
Table 30. Alternative wool materials producers. 72
Table 31. Overview of silk fibers-description, properties, application and market size. 72
Table 32. Alternative silk materials producers. 74
Table 33. Alternative leather materials producers. 80
Table 34. Alternative fur materials producers. 83
Table 35. Alternative down materials producers. 87
Table 36. Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) market analysis. 88
Table 37. Leading MFC producers and capacities. 89
Table 38. Cellulose nanocrystals analysis. 90
Table 39. Cellulose nanocrystal production capacities and production process, by producer. 91
Table 40. Cellulose nanofibers market analysis. 92
Table 41. CNF production capacities and production process, by producer, in metric tons. 93
Table 42. Applications of natural fiber composites. 96
Table 43. Typical properties of short natural fiber-thermoplastic composites. 98
Table 44. Properties of non-woven natural fiber mat composites. 99
Table 45. Properties of aligned natural fiber composites. 100
Table 46. Properties of natural fiber-bio-based polymer compounds. 100
Table 47. Properties of natural fiber-bio-based polymer non-woven mats. 101
Table 48. Natural fibers in the aerospace sector-market drivers, applications and challenges for NF use. 102
Table 49. Natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite in the automotive market. 105
Table 50. Natural fibers in the aerospace sector- market drivers, applications and challenges for NF use. 106
Table 51. Applications of natural fibers in the automotive industry. 107
Table 52. Natural fibers in the building/construction sector- market drivers, applications and challenges for NF use. 108
Table 53. Applications of natural fibers in the building/construction sector. 109
Table 54. Natural fibers in the sports and leisure sector-market drivers, applications and challenges for NF use. 110
Table 55. Natural fibers in the textiles sector-market drivers, applications and challenges for NF use. 111
Table 56. Natural fibers in the packaging sector-market drivers, applications and challenges for NF use. 116
Table 57. Granbio Nanocellulose Processes. 201
Table 58. Oji Holdings CNF products. 257

FIGURES

Figure 1. Adidas Made with Nature Ultraboost 22. 29
Figure 2. Absolut natural based fiber bottle cap. 28
Figure 3. Carlsberg natural fiber beer bottle. 29
Figure 4. Types of natural fibers. 34
Figure 5. Cotton production volume 2018-2033 (Million MT). 38
Figure 6. Kapok production volume 2018-2033 (MT). 39
Figure 7. Luffa cylindrica fiber. 40
Figure 8. Jute production volume 2018-2033 (Million MT). 43
Figure 9. Hemp fiber production volume 2018-2033 (Million MT). 45
Figure 10. Flax fiber production volume 2018-2033 (MT). 46
Figure 11. Ramie fiber production volume 2018-2033 (MT). 49
Figure 12. Kenaf fiber production volume 2018-2033 (MT). 50
Figure 13. Sisal fiber production volume 2018-2033 (MT). 52
Figure 14. Abaca fiber production volume 2018-2033 (MT). 53
Figure 15. Coir fiber production volume 2018-2033 (MILLION MT). 55
Figure 16. Banana fiber production volume 2018-2033 (MT). 56
Figure 17. Pineapple fiber. 58
Figure 18. A bag made with pineapple biomaterial from the H&M Conscious Collection 2019. 58
Figure 19. Bamboo fiber production volume 2018-2033 (MILLION MT). 63
Figure 20. Typical structure of mycelium-based foam. 64
Figure 21. Commercial mycelium composite construction materials. 65
Figure 22. Frayme Mylo™️. 66
Figure 23. BLOOM masterbatch from Algix. 68
Figure 24. Conceptual landscape of next-gen leather materials. 77
Figure 25. Hemp fibers combined with PP in car door panel. 102
Figure 26. Car door produced from Hemp fiber. 103
Figure 27. Natural fiber composites in the BMW M4 GT4 racing car. 104
Figure 28. Mercedes-Benz components containing natural fibers. 104
Figure 29. AlgiKicks sneaker, made with the Algiknit biopolymer gel. 114
Figure 30. Coir mats for erosion control. 114
Figure 31. Global fiber production in 2019, by fiber type, million MT and %. 118
Figure 32. Global fiber production (million MT) to 2020-2033. 119
Figure 33. Plant-based fiber production 2018-2033, by fiber type, MT. 121
Figure 34. Animal based fiber production 2018-2033, by fiber type, million MT. 121
Figure 35. Pluumo. 125
Figure 36. Algiknit yarn. 129
Figure 37. Amadou leather shoes. 130
Figure 38. Anpoly cellulose nanofiber hydrogel. 133
Figure 39. MEDICELLU™. 133
Figure 40. Asahi Kasei CNF fabric sheet. 135
Figure 41. Properties of Asahi Kasei cellulose nanofiber nonwoven fabric. 135
Figure 42. CNF nonwoven fabric. 136
Figure 43. Roof frame made of natural fiber. 139
Figure 44. Natural fibres racing seat. 142
Figure 45. Beyond Leather Materials product. 144
Figure 46. Fiber-based screw cap. 152
Figure 47. Cellugy materials. 158
Figure 48. nanoforest-S. 162
Figure 49. nanoforest-PDP. 162
Figure 50. nanoforest-MB. 162
Figure 51. CuanSave film. 166
Figure 52. Celish. 167
Figure 53. Trunk lid incorporating CNF. 168
Figure 54. ELLEX products. 170
Figure 55. CNF-reinforced PP compounds. 171
Figure 56. Kirekira! toilet wipes. 171
Figure 57. Color CNF. 172
Figure 58. Rheocrysta spray. 176
Figure 59. DKS CNF products. 176
Figure 60. Mushroom leather. 180
Figure 61. CNF based on citrus peel. 181
Figure 62. Citrus cellulose nanofiber. 181
Figure 63. Filler Bank CNC products. 185
Figure 64. Fibers on kapok tree and after processing. 189
Figure 65. Cellulose Nanofiber (CNF) composite with polyethylene (PE). 194
Figure 66. CNF products from Furukawa Electric. 196
Figure 67. Cutlery samples (spoon, knife, fork) made of nano cellulose and biodegradable plastic composite materials. 203
Figure 68. Non-aqueous CNF dispersion "Senaf" (Photo shows 5% of plasticizer). 204
Figure 69. CNF gel. 210
Figure 70. Block nanocellulose material. 211
Figure 71. CNF products developed by Hokuetsu. 211
Figure 72. Marine leather products. 212
Figure 73. Dual Graft System. 216
Figure 74. Engine cover utilizing Kao CNF composite resins. 217
Figure 75. Acrylic resin blended with modified CNF (fluid) and its molded product (transparent film), and image obtained with AFM (CNF 10wt% blended). 217
Figure 76. Kami Shoji CNF products. 218
Figure 77. 0.3% aqueous dispersion of sulfated esterified CNF and dried transparent film (front side). 220
Figure 78. Nike Algae Ink graphic tee. 225
Figure 79. BioFlex process. 226
Figure 80. Chitin nanofiber product. 231
Figure 81. Marusumi Paper cellulose nanofiber products. 232
Figure 82. FibriMa cellulose nanofiber powder. 233
Figure 83. Cellulomix production process. 235
Figure 84. Nanobase versus conventional products. 235
Figure 85. MOGU-Wave panels. 239
Figure 86. CNF slurries. 240
Figure 87. Range of CNF products. 240
Figure 88. Reishi. 243
Figure 89. Natural Fiber Welding, Inc. materials. 246
Figure 90. Nippon Paper Industries’ adult diapers. 251
Figure 91. Leather made from leaves. 252
Figure 92. Nike shoe with beLEAF™. 252
Figure 93. CNF clear sheets. 257
Figure 94. Oji Holdings CNF polycarbonate product. 258
Figure 95. XCNF. 271
Figure 96. CNF insulation flat plates. 275
Figure 97. Manufacturing process for STARCEL. 280
Figure 98. 3D printed cellulose shoe. 282
Figure 99. Lyocell process. 285
Figure 100. North Face Spiber Moon Parka. 287
Figure 101. PANGAIA LAB NXT GEN Hoodie. 288
Figure 102. Spider silk production. 289
Figure 103. 2 wt.％ CNF suspension. 294
Figure 104. BiNFi-s Dry Powder. 295
Figure 105. BiNFi-s Dry Powder and Propylene (PP) Complex Pellet. 295
Figure 106. Silk nanofiber (right) and cocoon of raw material. 296
Figure 107. Sulapac cosmetics containers. 298
Figure 108. Comparison of weight reduction effect using CNF. 303
Figure 109. CNF resin products. 305
Figure 110. Vegea production process. 308
Figure 111. HefCel-coated wood (left) and untreated wood (right) after 30 seconds flame test. 312
Figure 112. Bio-based barrier bags prepared from Tempo-CNF coated bio-HDPE film. 313
Figure 113. Worn Again products. 315
Figure 114. Zelfo Technology GmbH CNF production process. 317

The Global Market for Next-Gen Natural Fibers 2023-2033

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The Global Market for Next-Gen Natural Fibers 2023-2033

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Published August 2022 | 325 pages, 114 figures, 58 tables | Download Table of contents

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 20

2 NATURAL FIBER TYPES 33

3 MARKETS FOR NEXT-GEN NATURAL FIBERS 95

4 GLOBAL NATURAL FIBERS MARKET 117

5 NATURAL FIBER PRODUCERS AND PRODUCT DEVELOPER PROFILES 122 (185 company profiles)

6 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 319

7 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 320

8 REFERENCES 321

TABLES

FIGURES

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