Natural fibers are getting more and more attention. For example as an insulation material, as a matrix for biocomposites or for their aesthetic and additional properties. This became apparent on 18 April during the annual Natural Fibertastic congress. The well-attended event in the monumental "Great Arsenal" in Bergen op Zoom attracted the interest of at least 175 visitors from home and abroad. Many examples were discussed here.

The development of the biobased economy should go up a notch. Plastic soup, the essential CO2 reduction, scarcity of raw materials, but also more stringent legislation make it necessary to have a broad discussion about accelerating the greening of our society.

3D printing sounds like the perfect technology to produce complex objects as tailored single units; from machine components to implants for damaged tissue. By using the compostable biobased plastic PLA, this process also becomes sustainable. PLA, or poly(lactide), is synthesised from the natural monomer lactic acid. That sounds perfect, but such objects often retain their shape less well or are less strong mechanically, whilst design freedom is one of the strengths of 3D printing. Why is that?