Bacteria Retted Natural Fiber Mat (BFM)

BFM technology is a low-cost and environmentally friendly process. It utilizes enzyme-triggered self-cultured bacteria from lignocellulose to ret lignocellulosic fibers. A small amount of enzyme is used to trigger the aggregation of the bacteria, which degrades pectin of the same biomass. The retting residues containing bacteria can be recycled for the next batch of retting with the proper control. The obtained BFM products can be used for natural fiber sheet molding compound (SMC) for vehicle components, housing, and battery electrodes. BFM technology significantly reduces the retting time with minimum environmental impacts and much reduced costs.