Lanxess Launches 100% Natural Fiber Thermoplastic Composite – Lightweight, High‑Performance Tepex Biocomposite

Lanxess has unveiled a groundbreaking 100% natural fiber thermoplastic composite as part of its Tepex line. The new biocomposite marries flax‑based continuous fabrics with polylactic acid (PLA) as the matrix, delivering high strength and stiffness while cutting weight compared to traditional glass‑fiber counterparts.

Flax fibers have a significantly lower density than glass fibers, making the resulting composites noticeably lighter. Because the fibers are used as continuous‑fiber‑reinforced fabrics, the biocomposite inherits Tepex’s hallmark high‑performance mechanics driven by strategically oriented continuous fibers. The weight‑specific stiffness of the biocomposite is on par with glass‑fiber‑reinforced variants, ensuring that strength and rigidity are maintained while reducing mass.

When combined with a transparent PLA matrix, the flax fabric imparts a brown, natural carbon‑fiber aesthetic that highlights the composite’s renewable origins. This visual appeal is especially attractive for sporting goods, but the material’s versatility extends to automotive interiors and electronic housings.

Like its fossil‑based Tepex counterparts, the new biocomposite is fully recyclable as a thermoplastic system. Offcuts and production waste can be regranulated and injection‑molded or extruded—either alone or blended with unreinforced or short‑fiber‑reinforced compounds—facilitating closed‑loop material cycles.

Looking ahead, Lanxess plans to expand the Tepex portfolio with other biobased thermoplastics such as nylon 11, and to incorporate additional natural and recycled fibers, further advancing sustainability without compromising performance.