Life Cycle Analysis, Recycling Techniques, and Environmental Impact of Bast Fiber Reinforced Composites: a Review

In contrast to traditional synthetic composites, bast fiber-reinforced composites (BFRCs) are a class of bio-based materials that are attracting more and more interest because of their advantageous environmental qualities. The stages of raw material extraction, composite fabrication, service life, and end-of-life (EoL) scenarios are all covered in this study’s thorough life cycle assessment (LCA) of BFRCs. The impact of bast fiber type, matrix choice, and processing methods on these composites’ overall environmental performance is given special consideration. With an emphasis on their technical feasibility, energy requirements, and environmental trade-offs, the research also examines modern BFRC recycling techniques, such as mechanical regrinding, pyrolysis, and developing bio-degradation techniques. Comparative evaluations indicate that BFRCs typically exhibit lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced non-renewable energy consumption, and improved end-of-life recoverability when integrated into sustainable waste management systems. The complexity of fiber–matrix separation, the low recyclability of thermoset-based BFRCs, and the lack of a standardized recycling infrastructure, however, limit their full potential. This study adds to the expanding corpus of research that supports the incorporation of BFRCs into frameworks for the circular economy and offers guidance to material scientists, engineers, and politicians who want to improve the sustainability of composite materials.