World-wide various programs run to develop rural societies and to improve living conditions of the poorest social groups on our planet. Keyword in all activities at present is sustainability. After the end of a certain program, the targeted group must be able to continue the introduced activities by itself. An often-used strategy is to improve existing processes rather than implementing new ones. For instance increasing yields of existing crop-fields rather than introducing a total different type of crop. The basic idea is to maximise effect by applying the least possible changes.
In this report a similar strategy is introduced to increase the yield of the traditional fibre industry of rural societies in a sustainable way. Since selling products with added value creates more money than selling raw materials, the strategy aims to increase the value of the harvest by making sophisticated products out of the raw natural fibres, so called natural fibre composites (NF composites). NF composites products are constructions made of "glued-together" natural fibres. Although the involved processes and products are adapted to the rural situation, the technology is directly linked to the state of the art aircraft and space industry. Hence, the involved materials and processes are widely researched upon and are ready to be implemented outside the western world.
In chapter 2 a brief introduction on composites is given including a historical overview and related processes. Chapter 3 describes the most common natural fibres and the importance of the roll the rural society plays on a national scale. NF composites and general applications are discussed in chapter 4 as well as applications specifically developed to be (i) designed, (ii) manufactured and (ii) used in rural societies. In chapter 5 NF composites are regarded from a technology-transfer point of view and benefits are mentioned in chapter 6. Example transfer projects are presented in chapter 7. Conclusions are drawn in chapter 8.
