Curauafibers in the automobile industry e a sustainability assessment

Replacing glass fibers with natural fibers in the automobile industry can yield economic, environmental and social benefits. This article eval- uates the prospective environmental impacts of automobile applications of curauafiber (Ananas erectifolius), which nearly equates the physical properties of glass fibers. The study identified economic and social advantages of applying curauafiber composites in car parts. Besides costing 50% less than fiber glass, the use of curauafibers can promote regional development in the Amazon region. In order to realize significant environmental benefits, however, the curaua ´-based composites would have to be lighter than their glass fiber-based counterparts.

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