Bio-Based Fibers and Their Composites: Advances in Biocatalytic Processing, Bio-Upcycling, and Sustainable Manufacturing

Depleting petrochemical resources, rising carbon emissions, and accumulating polymer waste are driving the global bioeconomy toward renewable, biodegradable alternatives. Bio-based fibers from plants, animals, and microorganisms — together with bioplastic matrices such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) — offer biodegradability and a low carbon footprint, represent a key feedstock class for sustainable industrial manufacturing. However, scale-up of bio-based fiber composites remains constrained by poor fiber–matrix interfacial compatibility, insufficient mechanical and thermal performance, high processing costs, limited use of enzymatic and microbial routes for fiber modification, and the absence of standardized life cycle and carbon footprint assessment frameworks. Addressing these bottlenecks requires integrated industrial biotechnology solutions spanning biocatalysis, bio-upcycling of agro-industrial residues, green polymer functionalization, and digitally enabled process design.This Research Topic aims to consolidate cutting-edge advances in the industrial biotechnology of bio-based fibers and their composite materials, with a focus on translating laboratory innovation into scalable, low-carbon manufacturing. We invite contributions that apply enzymatic, biocatalytic, microbial, and chemo-enzymatic strategies to extract, modify, and functionalize bio-based fibers — including cellulose nanocrystals, amino-cellulose nanofibers, lignin-derived fibers, and microbial polysaccharide fibers. We particularly welcome studies on bio-upcycling of agricultural and industrial residues, green and scalable processing technologies, and the integration of synthetic biology, directed evolution, machine learning, and digital twin tools for accelerated bioprocess and material design. By bridging biocatalysis, polymer processing, and life cycle thinking, this Research Topic seeks to provide industrially actionable insights that enable bio-based fibers and their composites to meet the performance, cost, and sustainability requirements of high-end equipment, biomedical devices, smart home, and packaging applications within a circular bioeconomy.We welcome Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, Methods, and Technology and Code articles addressing, but not limited to:• Enzymatic, microbial, and chemo-enzymatic extraction and modification of bio-based fibers from diverse renewable sources• Bio-upcycling and high-value valorization of agricultural and industrial waste fibers• Biocatalytic and green functionalization strategies for fiber–polymer interfacial engineering• Design and scalable bio-manufacturing of bio-based fiber composites with PLA, PHA, and other bioplastic matrices• Synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and directed evolution for tailored fibers and biopolymer building blocks• Additive manufacturing and 3D printing using bio-based fiber feedstocks• Digital technologies (AI, machine learning, digital twins, design of experiments) for bioprocess and composite optimization• Advanced characterization (SEM, TEM, AFM, NMR, etc.) supporting industrial process development• Biodegradation, recyclability, and end-of-life management of bio-based fiber composites• Life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, and low-carbon optimization for industrial deploymentSubmissions that bridge fundamental biocatalysis, polymer processing, and industrial-scale translation are especially encouraged. Topic editors: Dr. Sanjay Mavinkere Rangappa, YONGZONG LU, Yucheng Liu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81309/bio-based-fibers-and-their-composites-advances-in-biocatalytic-processing-bio-upcycling-and-sustainable-manufacturing