What we would like to know:
 
1. Who are the Granulated Long Fiber Resin suppliers
2. What are the main long fiber applications, either the Granulated or
the Direct Long Fiber.
    - we know that it is mostly automotive, but are not sure what
applications (e.g. deck lids, roofs, not sure but are probably larger
in size
    - Also have heard of garbage can lids
3. Now they are saying that this long fiber technology is going to be
able to be used for smaller size applications. What are those going to
be?
4. Also, what might we find out about anything regarding key fiber
guys involved, whether it be fiberglass, carbon fiber, hemp/ natural,
Kevlar etc.

---

Request for Question Clarification by bobbie7-ga on 10 May 2005 22:33 PDT

Hello Blucken, 

I posted some information in the comment section for you to review.

Do my findings meet your needs?

Thanks,
Bobbie7

---

Clarification of Question by blucken-ga on 12 May 2005 10:56 PDT

great job as always

Dear Blucken,

I am delighted that my findings are appropriate and I'm reposting the
information below to make this answer official.

Best regards,
Bobbie7

----------------------------------------------------------

Long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics are one of the fastest growing
materials systems in the plastics industry.

?A study by BRG Townsend Inc. finds a growth rate of approximately 30%
per year over the last decade, bringing current volume close to 60,000
tonne/yr (132 million lb/yr). Most important, the study concludes that
growth rates of 20-30% will continue for the next few years.?

?Approximately two-thirds of the current market is composed of pre-compounded
pellets, mostly supplied by LNP, RTP, and Ticona. However, Townsend concludes
that it is the in-line compounded third of the business that will see greatest
growth in the future. Townsend predicts this will shift the supplier base from
the above compounders to such glass fiber and polymer suppliers as Owens
Corning, Saint Gobain, Bayer, and DSM.?

(...)

?Currently, the long-fiber market is made up of 56% polypropylene matrix resin,
32% nylon, and 12% other polymers. Of the pre-compounded pellet portion of
this business, Thompson estimates that Ticona has 39% market penetration,
LNP 20%, and others 32%. Europe consumes 47% of this precompounded
material, North America 45%, and Asia 8%. Far the strongest end-use market
for long-fiber thermoplastics is automotive.?

PlasticsBRIEF ? International
http://www.woodshedtech.com/woodimages/woodshed.pb.oct30.pdf


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
?Manufacturers that supply LFT?s with different fibre-matrix
combinations are among others: Flex Composites, DSM, LNP, Asahi, RTP
and Ticona.
Products in non-automotive areas, like construction, civil, industry,
etc are especially suited for the application of LFT?s. This includes
among other things, street furniture, self-supporting housings,
machine parts, etc.?
http://www.clc.tno.nl/projects/recent/lfts.html


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

?Suppliers of precompounded LFT pellets reject the view that their
products can be readily displaced in automotive applications. They are
LNP Engineering Plastics, Exton, Pa.; Ticona LLC, Summit, N.J.; RTP
Co., Winona, Minn.; and StaMax LLC, Toledo, Ohio (a joint venture of
Owens Corning and DSM Engineering Plastics). Indeed, they say new
versions of their compounds, including ?super-concentrates? of 75%
glass in PP pellets, offer major cost savings of their own. In
addition, they claim that ready-to-use pellets remove risk factors and
high investment costs involved in self-compounding. ?Many automotive
molders are reluctant to become formulators or incur the hidden costs
that role brings,? says Maria Grosser, market manager at StaMax LLC.?

Plastics Technology
http://www.plasticstechnology.com/articles/200109cu1.html


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Long-Fiber Thermoplastics Extend Their Reach

?Smaller parts, a wider range of resins and reinforcements,and
retrofittable molding equipment were among the news
indirect-compounded long-fiber thermoplastics presented at a recent
Plastics Technology conference. Extrusion and thermoforming are also
new extensions of this process.?

?Ninety percent of the rapidly growing use of long-fiber
thermoplastics (LFT) in direct-compounded form (DLFT) is for large
automotive parts. The rest are a few big structural parts like
dumpster covers. ?The smallest parts must weigh at least 2 lb and
preferably 4 lb or more,? says Charles Weber, v.p. of engineering and
technology at DLFT pioneer Composite Products Inc. in Winona, Minn.
All these parts are made of long-glass polypropylene by some
combination of continuous compounding linked in more or less automated
fashion with compression or injection molding.?

?Global use of DLFT will grow from around 40 million lb in 2001 to 75
million lb by 2006, according to industry research presented at the
conference by Maria Ciliberti, global market-segment leader at Owens
Corning Automotive in Toledo, Ohio. LFT products made from
long-glass/PP pellets instead of direct compounded will grow from 27
million lb in 2001 to 70 million lb by 2006, she said, while glass-mat
thermoplastic sheet will decline from 70 million lb to 60 million lb
in that period.?


Companies

Berstorff Corp.
Florence, Ky.
(859) 283-0200

Composite Products Inc.
Winona, Minn.
(507) 452-2881

Conair
Pittsburgh
(412) 312-6000

Coperion Corp.
Ramsey, N.J.
(201) 327-6300

Dieffenbacher North America Inc.
Windsor, Ont.
(519) 979-6937

Fraunhofer Institute for Chemicle Technologies
Pfinztal, Germany
+49 (721) 464-0420

Krauss-Maffei Corp.
Florence, Ky.
(859) 283-4310

Leistritz
Somerville, N.J.
(908) 685-2333 

New Castle Industries Inc.
New Castle, Pa.
(724) 656-5600 

RTP Co.
Winona, Minn.
(507) 454-6900 

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex America Inc.
Maumee, Ohio
(419) 868-7813

Plastics Technology
http://www.plasticstechnology.com/articles/200304fa2.html


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Celstran LFRT products are excellent candidates for metal replacement.
Potential uses include:

- Tool housing
- Luggage rack
- Fan shrouds
- Wheels and gears

http://www.omnexus.com/tc/solutionsdatasheet.aspx?t=225


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Volkswagen Relies on Celstran+ LFT from Ticona

Volkswagen AG's new Golf Plus has been launched on Germany's roads
with Celstran+(r) LFT from Ticona Technical Polymers on board.
Volkswagen's Kelsterbach, Germany, plastics experts selected this new
long-fiber-reinforced Celstran grade and paid careful attention to
modern automotive industry requirements. The entire dashboard carrier
is made from this high-tech plastic. Besides high rigidity and
toughness, excellent processability and an attractive surface finish,
a key factor was the potential of Celstran+ LFT for use as a
lower-cost alternative to other thermoplastics.

Composites News: April 4, 2005 ?
http://www.compositesnews.com/cni.asp?articleID=8091


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Wings
http://www.compositesnews.com/cni.asp?articleID=8084


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Long Fiber Applications Case Studies	

Work Boot Safety Toe
?Metal-to-plastic conversions have improved countless applications.
Often, consumers reap the benefits of a long fiber product innovation
and are completely unaware what role plastics played in the
improvement.?

 Fastener
?Vertex Fasteners Inc. received these comments while conducting
research on fastening tools for the bedding and furniture industry.?
 
Broom Handle
?With a long history of providing painting and cleaning tools to
professionals throughout Europe, family-owned HP-Industrial A/S of
Denmark knew that stringent sanitation requirements in the food
preparation and pharmaceutical industries demanded specialized
equipment.?
 
Bike Stand
?On the professional racing circuit, in leading bicycle repair shops,
and in the homes of serious amateurs throughout the world, the
products of Park Tool USA are found in prominent use.?
 
Master Cylinder
?Hydraulic brake systems for trailers are only one of the many items
that Demco-Dethmers Manufacturing Company has been manufacturing for
years. "Originally, the master cylinders were done in cast iron, which
can rust.?

Nebulizer Compressor
?People who suffer from asthma and other bronchial ailments often rely
on a medical product called a nebulizer. This device uses compressed
air to dispense liquid medication as a breathable aerosol.?

Auto Shift Control
?Meeting tight specifications for metal replacement is a common
challenge for automotive part suppliers.?

Soda Dispenser Base
?When Remcor, a division of IMI Cornelius, Inc., decided to replace
the welded stainless steel on its soda and ice dispenser base, it
turned to RTP Company.?

Sailboat Block Side Plates
? This non-traditional approach has allowed the Pewaukee,
Wisconsin-based company to dominate the marine hardware industry with
a sculpted all-plastic block that is strong, cost-effective, and
corrosion resistant.?
 
Marine/Industrial Cleats
?Ronstan of Victoria, Australia and RTP Company teamed-up to meet the
demanding material requirements for various cam cleat systems used in
marine and industrial settings.?

Outboard Motor Propeller
?Stealth Propulsion, Inc. reduced manufacturing costs for its Stealth
Propeller (for 15 hp. outboard motors) by 80%. The savings stem from
lower cost for material, tooling and manufacturing.?
 
Helicopter Fan Blade
?An injection molded fan blade has been developed for use on McDonnell
Douglas helicopters equipped with NOTAR fan systems. NOTAR uses a
constant circulation pressure generated by the fan to counter main
rotor torque. The system eliminates the need for a tail rotor.?

Read more about each one at the following link:
RTP Company
http://www.rtpcompany.com/info/apps/product/long/


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Typical Applications

?Automotive ? seats and seat components, interior parts such as gear
shifters and steering components, under-the-hood parts such as gears,
pulleys and supports

Sporting goods ? boat parts, ski/skate/snowboard bindings, bicycle
parts, firearm components

Pumps and industrial equipment 

Tools and hardware ? garden equipment and hand tool components 

Construction structural frameworks and components? 

http://www.rtpcompany.com/products/structural/lfc.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Long Fiber Compounds
This table lists a sampling of compounds using long glass fiber
additives available from RTP Company. Select a product number in the
first column of the table to view its product data sheet.
http://www.rtpcompany.com/info/data/long/index.htm

Brochure
http://www.rtpcompany.com/info/flyers/lfc.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

?Long fiber thermoplastics (LFTs) are increasingly being considered
for potential applications in ground transportation. Polypropylene
(PP) based LFTs are used for automotive applications such as
front-ends, bumper beams and under body shields.?
http://www.sampe.org/store/paper.aspx?pid=2204


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


CPI manufactures composite products for the following industries:
Medical 
Construction 
Electronics 
Agriculture 
Recreation 
Industrial 
Appliances 
Automotive 
Furniture 

http://www.compositeproducts.com/application/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Johns Manville

Pellet LFT   - Markets & Parts  
engine cover 
front end 
instrument panel 
noise shield 
running board 
underbody cover 
wheel house
http://www.jm-reinforcement.com/rio/process/detail.asp?id=38&kind=markets


Direct LFT   - Markets & Parts  

markets & parts  
front end 
instrument panel 
noise shield 
safety shoes 
utility rag 
wheel house
http://www.jm-reinforcement.com/rio/process/detail.asp?id=39&kind=markets


?Johns Manville (Denver, Colo., U.S.A.) has introduced StarRovLFTplus,
a fiberglass direct roving developed for long fiber-reinforced
thermoplastic (LFRT) applications containing reinforcing fibers of 10
mm/0.4 inch or more. Intended for structural automotive applications
such as bumper beams and front-end carriers, the roving's sizing is
formulated for compatibility with polypropylene, polyamide,
polybutylene terephthalate and other thermoplastic polymers.?

Composites World: August 2004
http://www.compositesworld.com/ct/issues/2004/August/532


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ticona
http://www.ticona.com/index/products/long_fiber_reinforced_thermoplastics/celstran.htm


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


 ?North American Demand for Natural Fibers in Plastic Composites
Forecast to Grow 15% to 50% Annually.?
 
?Significant markets emerging in building products, automotive parts,
railroad ties, flower pots, furniture, and marine piers .?

?Natural fibers, used to fill and reinforce both thermoplastics and
thermosets, represent one of the fastest-growing types of polymer
additives.  Based on a market study currently being conducted by Kline
& Company, forecast North American demand for both wood and
agricultural fiber used as plastic additives ranges from 15% to 20%
per year in automotive applications, to 50% or more per year in
selected building products.?

(?)

?Long natural fibers, including flax, kenaf, and hemp are also finding
increasing use, but here the applications are mostly in automotive
composites.  Typical long fiber composites include such interior
components as door trim, package trays, and rear shelves.  These
composites are primarily compression-molded polypropylene where the
loading of the natural fiber is 50%.?.

?The primary driving force for these new automotive materials is
economics, since natural fibers are currently priced at one-third of
the cost of fiberglass or less.  Other reasons for their increasing
use include:

? Weight reduction ? these fibers are half the weight of fiberglass 

? Recycling ? natural fiber composites are easier to recycle 

? Green movement ? desire for natural products ? 

http://www.vinylbydesign.com/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=&CID=28&DID=295


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Natural Fibers: The New Fashion In Automotive Plastics
http://www.plasticstechnology.com/articles/199910fa1.html


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

great job!

Dear Blucken,

Please review the following information.

If my findings meet your needs, please let me know and I will
gladly post it as the official answer to your question.


Thanks,
Bobbie7
Google Answers Researcher


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Long-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics are one of the fastest growing
materials systems in the plastics industry.

?A study by BRG Townsend Inc. finds a growth rate of approximately 30%
per year over the last decade, bringing current volume close to 60,000
tonne/yr (132 million lb/yr). Most important, the study concludes that
growth rates of 20-30% will continue for the next few years.?

?Approximately two-thirds of the current market is composed of pre-compounded
pellets, mostly supplied by LNP, RTP, and Ticona. However, Townsend concludes
that it is the in-line compounded third of the business that will see greatest
growth in the future. Townsend predicts this will shift the supplier base from
the above compounders to such glass fiber and polymer suppliers as Owens
Corning, Saint Gobain, Bayer, and DSM.?

(...)

?Currently, the long-fiber market is made up of 56% polypropylene matrix resin,
32% nylon, and 12% other polymers. Of the pre-compounded pellet portion of
this business, Thompson estimates that Ticona has 39% market penetration,
LNP 20%, and others 32%. Europe consumes 47% of this precompounded
material, North America 45%, and Asia 8%. Far the strongest end-use market
for long-fiber thermoplastics is automotive.?

PlasticsBRIEF ? International
http://www.woodshedtech.com/woodimages/woodshed.pb.oct30.pdf


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
?Manufacturers that supply LFT?s with different fibre-matrix
combinations are among others: Flex Composites, DSM, LNP, Asahi, RTP
and Ticona.
Products in non-automotive areas, like construction, civil, industry,
etc are especially suited for the application of LFT?s. This includes
among other things, street furniture, self-supporting housings,
machine parts, etc.?
http://www.clc.tno.nl/projects/recent/lfts.html


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

?Suppliers of precompounded LFT pellets reject the view that their
products can be readily displaced in automotive applications. They are
LNP Engineering Plastics, Exton, Pa.; Ticona LLC, Summit, N.J.; RTP
Co., Winona, Minn.; and StaMax LLC, Toledo, Ohio (a joint venture of
Owens Corning and DSM Engineering Plastics). Indeed, they say new
versions of their compounds, including ?super-concentrates? of 75%
glass in PP pellets, offer major cost savings of their own. In
addition, they claim that ready-to-use pellets remove risk factors and
high investment costs involved in self-compounding. ?Many automotive
molders are reluctant to become formulators or incur the hidden costs
that role brings,? says Maria Grosser, market manager at StaMax LLC.?

Plastics Technology
http://www.plasticstechnology.com/articles/200109cu1.html


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Long-Fiber Thermoplastics Extend Their Reach

?Smaller parts, a wider range of resins and reinforcements,and
retrofittable molding equipment were among the news
indirect-compounded long-fiber thermoplastics presented at a recent
Plastics Technology conference. Extrusion and thermoforming are also
new extensions of this process.?

?Ninety percent of the rapidly growing use of long-fiber
thermoplastics (LFT) in direct-compounded form (DLFT) is for large
automotive parts. The rest are a few big structural parts like
dumpster covers. ?The smallest parts must weigh at least 2 lb and
preferably 4 lb or more,? says Charles Weber, v.p. of engineering and
technology at DLFT pioneer Composite Products Inc. in Winona, Minn.
All these parts are made of long-glass polypropylene by some
combination of continuous compounding linked in more or less automated
fashion with compression or injection molding.?

?Global use of DLFT will grow from around 40 million lb in 2001 to 75
million lb by 2006, according to industry research presented at the
conference by Maria Ciliberti, global market-segment leader at Owens
Corning Automotive in Toledo, Ohio. LFT products made from
long-glass/PP pellets instead of direct compounded will grow from 27
million lb in 2001 to 70 million lb by 2006, she said, while glass-mat
thermoplastic sheet will decline from 70 million lb to 60 million lb
in that period.?


Companies

Berstorff Corp.
Florence, Ky.
(859) 283-0200

Composite Products Inc.
Winona, Minn.
(507) 452-2881

Conair
Pittsburgh
(412) 312-6000

Coperion Corp.
Ramsey, N.J.
(201) 327-6300

Dieffenbacher North America Inc.
Windsor, Ont.
(519) 979-6937

Fraunhofer Institute for Chemicle Technologies
Pfinztal, Germany
+49 (721) 464-0420

Krauss-Maffei Corp.
Florence, Ky.
(859) 283-4310

Leistritz
Somerville, N.J.
(908) 685-2333 

New Castle Industries Inc.
New Castle, Pa.
(724) 656-5600 

RTP Co.
Winona, Minn.
(507) 454-6900 

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex America Inc.
Maumee, Ohio
(419) 868-7813

Plastics Technology
http://www.plasticstechnology.com/articles/200304fa2.html


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Celstran LFRT products are excellent candidates for metal replacement.
Potential uses include:

- Tool housing
- Luggage rack
- Fan shrouds
- Wheels and gears

http://www.omnexus.com/tc/solutionsdatasheet.aspx?t=225


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Volkswagen Relies on Celstran+ LFT from Ticona

Volkswagen AG's new Golf Plus has been launched on Germany's roads
with Celstran+(r) LFT from Ticona Technical Polymers on board.
Volkswagen's Kelsterbach, Germany, plastics experts selected this new
long-fiber-reinforced Celstran grade and paid careful attention to
modern automotive industry requirements. The entire dashboard carrier
is made from this high-tech plastic. Besides high rigidity and
toughness, excellent processability and an attractive surface finish,
a key factor was the potential of Celstran+ LFT for use as a
lower-cost alternative to other thermoplastics.

Composites News: April 4, 2005 ?
http://www.compositesnews.com/cni.asp?articleID=8091


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Wings
http://www.compositesnews.com/cni.asp?articleID=8084


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Long Fiber Applications Case Studies	

Work Boot Safety Toe
?Metal-to-plastic conversions have improved countless applications.
Often, consumers reap the benefits of a long fiber product innovation
and are completely unaware what role plastics played in the
improvement.?

 Fastener
?Vertex Fasteners Inc. received these comments while conducting
research on fastening tools for the bedding and furniture industry.?
 
Broom Handle
?With a long history of providing painting and cleaning tools to
professionals throughout Europe, family-owned HP-Industrial A/S of
Denmark knew that stringent sanitation requirements in the food
preparation and pharmaceutical industries demanded specialized
equipment.?
 
Bike Stand
?On the professional racing circuit, in leading bicycle repair shops,
and in the homes of serious amateurs throughout the world, the
products of Park Tool USA are found in prominent use.?
 
Master Cylinder
?Hydraulic brake systems for trailers are only one of the many items
that Demco-Dethmers Manufacturing Company has been manufacturing for
years. "Originally, the master cylinders were done in cast iron, which
can rust.?

Nebulizer Compressor
?People who suffer from asthma and other bronchial ailments often rely
on a medical product called a nebulizer. This device uses compressed
air to dispense liquid medication as a breathable aerosol.?

Auto Shift Control
?Meeting tight specifications for metal replacement is a common
challenge for automotive part suppliers.?

Soda Dispenser Base
?When Remcor, a division of IMI Cornelius, Inc., decided to replace
the welded stainless steel on its soda and ice dispenser base, it
turned to RTP Company.?

Sailboat Block Side Plates
? This non-traditional approach has allowed the Pewaukee,
Wisconsin-based company to dominate the marine hardware industry with
a sculpted all-plastic block that is strong, cost-effective, and
corrosion resistant.?
 
Marine/Industrial Cleats
?Ronstan of Victoria, Australia and RTP Company teamed-up to meet the
demanding material requirements for various cam cleat systems used in
marine and industrial settings.?

Outboard Motor Propeller
?Stealth Propulsion, Inc. reduced manufacturing costs for its Stealth
Propeller (for 15 hp. outboard motors) by 80%. The savings stem from
lower cost for material, tooling and manufacturing.?
 
Helicopter Fan Blade
?An injection molded fan blade has been developed for use on McDonnell
Douglas helicopters equipped with NOTAR fan systems. NOTAR uses a
constant circulation pressure generated by the fan to counter main
rotor torque. The system eliminates the need for a tail rotor.?

Read more about each one at the following link:
RTP Company
http://www.rtpcompany.com/info/apps/product/long/


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Typical Applications

?Automotive ? seats and seat components, interior parts such as gear
shifters and steering components, under-the-hood parts such as gears,
pulleys and supports

Sporting goods ? boat parts, ski/skate/snowboard bindings, bicycle
parts, firearm components

Pumps and industrial equipment 

Tools and hardware ? garden equipment and hand tool components 

Construction structural frameworks and components? 

http://www.rtpcompany.com/products/structural/lfc.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Long Fiber Compounds
This table lists a sampling of compounds using long glass fiber
additives available from RTP Company. Select a product number in the
first column of the table to view its product data sheet.
http://www.rtpcompany.com/info/data/long/index.htm

Brochure
http://www.rtpcompany.com/info/flyers/lfc.pdf

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

?Long fiber thermoplastics (LFTs) are increasingly being considered
for potential applications in ground transportation. Polypropylene
(PP) based LFTs are used for automotive applications such as
front-ends, bumper beams and under body shields.?
http://www.sampe.org/store/paper.aspx?pid=2204


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


CPI manufactures composite products for the following industries:
Medical 
Construction 
Electronics 
Agriculture 
Recreation 
Industrial 
Appliances 
Automotive 
Furniture 

http://www.compositeproducts.com/application/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

From Johns Manville

Pellet LFT   - Markets & Parts  
engine cover 
front end 
instrument panel 
noise shield 
running board 
underbody cover 
wheel house
http://www.jm-reinforcement.com/rio/process/detail.asp?id=38&kind=markets


Direct LFT   - Markets & Parts  

markets & parts  
front end 
instrument panel 
noise shield 
safety shoes 
utility rag 
wheel house
http://www.jm-reinforcement.com/rio/process/detail.asp?id=39&kind=markets


?Johns Manville (Denver, Colo., U.S.A.) has introduced StarRovLFTplus,
a fiberglass direct roving developed for long fiber-reinforced
thermoplastic (LFRT) applications containing reinforcing fibers of 10
mm/0.4 inch or more. Intended for structural automotive applications
such as bumper beams and front-end carriers, the roving's sizing is
formulated for compatibility with polypropylene, polyamide,
polybutylene terephthalate and other thermoplastic polymers.?

Composites World: August 2004
http://www.compositesworld.com/ct/issues/2004/August/532


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Ticona
http://www.ticona.com/index/products/long_fiber_reinforced_thermoplastics/celstran.htm


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


 ?North American Demand for Natural Fibers in Plastic Composites
Forecast to Grow 15% to 50% Annually.?
 
?Significant markets emerging in building products, automotive parts,
railroad ties, flower pots, furniture, and marine piers .?

?Natural fibers, used to fill and reinforce both thermoplastics and
thermosets, represent one of the fastest-growing types of polymer
additives.  Based on a market study currently being conducted by Kline
& Company, forecast North American demand for both wood and
agricultural fiber used as plastic additives ranges from 15% to 20%
per year in automotive applications, to 50% or more per year in
selected building products.?

(?)

?Long natural fibers, including flax, kenaf, and hemp are also finding
increasing use, but here the applications are mostly in automotive
composites.  Typical long fiber composites include such interior
components as door trim, package trays, and rear shelves.  These
composites are primarily compression-molded polypropylene where the
loading of the natural fiber is 50%.?.

?The primary driving force for these new automotive materials is
economics, since natural fibers are currently priced at one-third of
the cost of fiberglass or less.  Other reasons for their increasing
use include:

? Weight reduction ? these fibers are half the weight of fiberglass 

? Recycling ? natural fiber composites are easier to recycle 

? Green movement ? desire for natural products ? 

http://www.vinylbydesign.com/site/tertiary.asp?TRACKID=&CID=28&DID=295


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Natural Fibers: The New Fashion In Automotive Plastics
http://www.plasticstechnology.com/articles/199910fa1.html


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------