Journal of Natural Fibers

Biocatalytic Processing of Natural Fibers for Circular and Sustainable Production (SDG 12)

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) remains a major global challenge. In the natural fiber sector, key targets include the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2), environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes throughout their life cycle (Target 12.4), and substantial reductions in waste generation through prevention, recycling, and reuse (Target 12.5). Against this background, this Article Collection focuses on biocatalytic approaches for the sustainable processing and valorization of natural fibers. Enzymes, microorganisms, and other biological systems can enable selective transformations under mild operating conditions, reducing dependence on energy-intensive processes and harsh chemicals while modifying and functionalizing fiber-based materials.

Natural fibers are renewable, bio-based materials derived from plant, animal, and agro-industrial sources, but extracting, purifying, modifying, and finishing them may require substantial amounts of water, energy, and chemicals. Biocatalytic technologies provide an alternative by enabling selective removal of unwanted components, controlled surface modification, functionalization, and upgrading of fiber properties under comparatively mild conditions. Advances in enzyme engineering, biotechnology, immobilization, process intensification, and synthetic biology are creating new opportunities for integrating biocatalysis into fiber-processing value chains. Combined with circular-economy strategies, these approaches can also facilitate the valorization of agricultural residues and fiber-processing side streams into biomaterials, biocomposites, and other value-added products. Key challenges remain in biocatalyst stability and reuse, process scale-up, resource efficiency, environmental performance, techno-economic viability, and reproducibility at industrial scale.

This Article Collection aims to bring together interdisciplinary research addressing the development, mechanistic understanding, optimization, and industrial implementation of biocatalytic technologies for natural fibers. Contributions ranging from fundamental studies of enzyme–fiber interactions to process engineering, environmental assessment, and industrial-scale demonstrations are welcome.

In particular, we encourage the submission of articles on the following subtopics:

• Enzymatic extraction, separation, purification and degumming of natural fibers
• Enzyme-assisted bleaching, dyeing and finishing
• Biocatalytic surface modification and functionalization
• Enzyme immobilization, reuse and advanced biocatalytic systems
• Valorization of lignocellulosic biomass and agro-industrial residues
• Biocatalytic production of fiber-based biomaterials and biocomposites
• Recycling, biodegradation and upcycling of natural fiber materials
• Process optimization, modeling, intensification and scale-up
• Life-cycle, water, energy and environmental assessment
• Techno-economic assessment and industrial implementation

Keywords:

1. Natural fibers
2. Biocatalysis
3. Enzymatic processing
4. Circular economy
5. Sustainable processing

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 SDG:

SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns)

­­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. Simona Gavrilaș is a lecturer at “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, Romania, and holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering. With 20 years of academic experience, her research focuses on applying biotechnologies in the food sector, treating natural fibers, and sustainably valorizing agri-food residues. Dr. Gavrilaș has published numerous papers in prestigious journals. She has also been involved in several national and international research and educational projects.

Prof. Dr. Florentina-Daniela Munteanu is Professor at “Aurel Vlaicu” University of Arad, Romania, with extensive academic and research experience in environmental engineering, biotechnology, and functional materials. Her research focuses on sustainable materials, biosensors and nanosensors, environmental monitoring, waste and biomass valorization, and circular approaches to resource recovery and reuse. She has published extensively in international peer-reviewed journals and has participated in national and international research projects addressing sustainable technologies and advanced material applications. Her current interests include the valorization of bio-based resources and residues, functionalization of sustainable materials, and the integration of sensing and biotechnological approaches into circular production systems.