Journal of Natural Fibers

Advances in Sustainable Materials: Fabrication, Characterization, and Applications (SDGs 9, 11, and 13)

Natural materials are gaining increasing attention for creating environmentally sustainable products, robust infrastructure systems, and climate adaptive production methods. Fibres produced from plants, animals, agricultural by-products, and microbes as a standalone product or composite can support the shift from petroleum-based materials towards sustainable alternatives. This Article Collection from the Journal of Natural Fibers will inspect recent developments in natural products, processing techniques, characterisation, and engineering applications, can advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9, 11, and 13: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; Sustainable Cities and Communities; and Climate Action, respectively. The Collection encourages original and review papers addressing novel material extraction methods, sustainable practices, environmentally responsible technologies, lifecycle assessment studies, characterisation and diverse applications in general and composite forms.

Polymer composites have emerged as essential materials for advanced engineering applications because of their lightweight nature, high specific strength, design flexibility, and functional performance. Growing research interest in sustainable materials has encouraged the development of natural fibre reinforced polymers, bio-based matrices, hybrid composites, and environmentally responsible manufacturing approaches. Alongside material innovation, advanced characterization techniques are improving the understanding of microstructural development, interfacial bonding, damage initiation, fracture behaviour, fatigue performance, and impact resistance. This Article Collection aims to present recent advances in sustainable polymer composites, integrating materials development, manufacturing, experimental characterization, and structural integrity assessment. Contributions addressing natural fibre composites, hybrid reinforcement systems, innovative polymer matrices, and advanced engineering applications are welcomed to promote scientific understanding and practical advancements in composite material technologies.

The Collection will emphasize innovations that enhance the durability, commercial viability, cost-effectiveness, and ecological integrity of natural-fibre materials. Submissions may encompass bio-based products and composites for durable construction, natural-fibre reinforcement for transportation and infrastructure systems, compostable and reusable materials, reduced-carbon textile and production processes, and fibre-derived approaches to urban water management, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and housing solutions. Special consideration will be accorded to research that bridges the gap between experimental material innovation and large-scale industrial deployment with tangible community-level outcomes.

Keywords:

1. Sustainable products
2. Biomaterials and composites
3. Waste management
4. Characterisation
5. Applications

This Article Collection is part of Taylor & Francis's SDG Article Collection Series. This series is dedicated to publishing groundbreaking research that addresses global sustainability challenges while accelerating progress toward achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Articles published within this Collection will benefit from enhanced promotional activities across Taylor & Francis platforms, ensuring increased visibility and discoverability for your research.

This Collection supports the following SDGs:

SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation)

SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable)

SDG 13 Climate Action (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts)

­­All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript. Journal of Natural Fibers accepts the following types of article: Research Articles, Brief Reports, and Review Articles.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is August 13, 2027.

Please contact Agnes Zhou Agnes.Zhou@taylorandfrancis.com with any queries on discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

Please be sure to select the appropriate Article Collection from the drop-down menu in the submission system.

Guest Advisors declares no potential conflicts of interests in line with our Editorial Policies.

Dr. Rajkishore Nayak is working as a Professor with the School of Communication & Design (SCD) at RMIT University Vietnam. His current research areas focus on sustainability in fashion and textiles; circular fashion; waste management; corporate social responsibility; green supply chain, new and advanced materials. He is involved in teaching Bachelors of fashion students and supervising PhD students in the areas of fashion and textile sustainability. Prior to joining at RMIT Vietnam Dr. Nayak has worked in the improvement of performance and comfort of protective clothing used for Defense. He has more than 160 high impact research publications in his area of research. Prof. Nayak has received the RMIT excellence in Learning & Teaching Award, the RMIT Research Excellence Award, and RMIT Excellence in Research and Teaching awards.

Dr. M. Saleem is a dedicated and results-driven researcher specializing in natural fiber–reinforced composites, fracture mechanics, and structural health monitoring, with deep technical expertise in acoustic emission analysis, ballistic impact testing, and hybrid composite characterization. Brings over a decade of progressive experience in academia and research, blending innovative materials development with real-world engineering applications. Proven track record in teaching, project leadership, and multidisciplinary collaboration, complemented by strong contributions to peer-reviewed publications, international conferences, and editorial/reviewer roles in top-tier scientific journals. Passionate about bridging the gap between fundamental materials science and applied engineering through advanced experimental techniques and data-driven insights.