Renewable raw materials for industrial textiles

50 exhibitors and 70 technical papers were the substance of the 3rd International Symposium with the Raw materials from renewable raw materials exhibition in Germany, September 2001. Production, preparation and processing of renewable raw materials and product applications were covered. There are benefits for European agriculture in producing renewable raw materials as a food alternative and with employment and income alternatives possible. Western European markets in flax and hemp are reviewed with tropical vegetable fibres also used. Production statistics cover mainly short fibres - composite materials in the automobile industry are the principal destination. Other applications are listed. Five principal uses for composites in European car production are listed with seven reasons for their use. Ecological advantages are discussed and the design of a pilot plant operating on the impact decorticating principle with simultaneous fibre cleaning. New industrial textile initiatives included seaweed for insulation, bamboo fibres for plastics reinforcement, hemp fibre reinforcement in concrete and hemp fibres replacing glass fibres.