Natural Fibers, Plastics and Composites deals with plant and animal derived natural fibers, natural composite matrix materials and biocomposites, which are beginning to find their way into commercial applications in today's market. Some represent already commercial technologies or commercial developments and others represent significant recent research advances. The book reviews the sources, structures, properties and applications of the new materials. It serves as an introduction to a rapidly growing field of science and technology and it aims to support fundamental research, to assist scientists and designers in industry, and to facilitate materials science instruction in universities and colleges.