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“EXCELLENCE THROUGH KNOWLEDGE” P A G E 84 Alternative Use of Natural Fibres in Jamaica The use of natural fibres has been part of human activities since time immemorial. In recent years, composite materials incorporating plant fibres have been increasingly used in the automotive, petroleum and medical industry. They have been introduced into the market as construction material and as an alternative to plastics and metals. Several reasons have been adduced for the increasing use of plant fibres in composite materials. These include the increasing need for more natural materials as a result of global environmental concerns, the need to reduce the cost of raw materials in the construction industry, and the need for high quality insulation or tensile materials. The high industrial cost of production, the need to replace equipment, and the consequent outlay in capital expenditure has led to constant research into alternatives to plastics and metals. This constitutes a new challenge for scientists looking for alternatives to satisfy the economic needs of industries and to reduce industrial pollution levels through the use of natural fibres. In a survey on the waste produced in the agricultural sector in Jamaica, three natural fibres were selected and characterized. The evaluation of several of their composite properties will enhance their potential for the design of composite materials to be used in the construction industry. The natural fibres selected were banana (trunk), sugar cane (bagasse), and coconut (husk). Those waste fibres are generated during a primary product service life (disposed of as waste material in most cases, in some cases they constitute a by-product in other sectors, such as in the generation of energy and as organic material. Nilza Smith 1 & Benajmin McCalla 2 1 University of Technology, Jamaica 2 University of Brunel, UK Editor’s Note: This research was published in full in the Journal of Arts, Science & Technology, Volume 1, 2004. Nilza Smith