Bridging Circular Design Strategies and Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites: A Preliminary Conceptual Framework

Abstract

Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites (NFRPCs) are gaining attention as sustainable alternatives to conventional composite materials, due to their renewable origin, potential biodegradability, and possibly lower environmental impact. However, while technical advances in NFRPCs have progressed, the application of Circular Design (CD) strategies to their development remains underexplored. This paper presents a preliminary conceptual framework developed at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, aligning CD principles with the specific challenges and opportunities of NFRPCs. Building upon an extensive literature review, the study identifies and critically evaluates key design principles, tools, and strategies, assessing their relevance for guiding decision-making in this material context. The proposed framework offers guidance for integrating CD strategies from the earliest stages of product development, encompassing material selection, lifecycle mapping, and end-of-life planning. To assess its usability and practical value, the framework was tested through two academic case studies. The feedback gathered highlights both the framework’s potential as a learning and design support tool and the need for improved accessibility and clarity in Circular Design resources. Overall, this work contributes to bridging the gap between sustainable materials research and practical design application, offering a material-specific, adaptable, and bilingual resource for students, early-career engineers, and designers seeking to adopt circular practices. By combining systemic thinking with material-specific considerations, the framework fosters the development of more inclusive, regenerative, and ethically responsible design solutions.