Development and Application of Sustainable Composite Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable composite materials are critical in addressing global challenges such as resource efficiency, environmental impact reduction, and energy conservation. Their unique combination of lightweight performance, mechanical properties, and adaptability makes them indispensable for industries ranging from automotive and aerospace to construction and renewable energy. However, achieving true sustainability requires innovations in material design, processing technologies, and lifecycle management to minimize ecological consumption while maximizing functional performance.

This Special Issue, titled “Development and Application of Sustainable Composite Materials”, in Sustainability aims to showcase research on the development, characterization, and application of sustainable composite materials. We seek contributions that explore novel eco-friendly matrices (e.g., bio-based polymers, recyclable thermoplastics), advanced reinforcement strategies (e.g., natural fibers, recycled carbon fibers), and energy-efficient manufacturing processes (e.g., 3D printing, solvent-free methods). Additionally, studies on lifecycle assessment, circular economy approaches, recycling and utilization processes, and multifunctional composite structures are highly encouraged. By bridging material science with sustainability principles, this Special Issue will highlight pathways to reduce dependency on non-renewable resources and promote industrial decarbonization.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Sustainable matrix materials and fiber reinforcements (e.g., recyclable thermoplastics, natural fibers, recycled carbon fibers);
• Green processing technologies (e.g., additive manufacturing, intelligent manufacturing, upcycling, cascade utilization);
• Lifecycle analysis, aging mechanisms, and circular economy strategies;
• Bio-inspired structural, lightweight, and multifunctional design;
• Mechanical, thermal, and environmental performance evaluation;
• Applications in lightweight, crashworthiness, infrastructure,

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Jin Wang
Dr. Xiang Xu
Dr. Bobin Xing
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.