Tendências Tecnológicas do Uso do Sisal em Compósitos a Partir da Prospecção em Documentos de Patentes

Abstract

Natural fibers have increasing importance for developing sustainable products, sisal being one of the most important fibers for Brazil which is the largest producer in the world. This article deals with the temporal evolution and interest of enterprises and institutions associated with the sisal's technology, with information and indicators extracted from patents from 1960 to 2009. The association of sisal with chemistry, materials science and polymers has been increasing, with emphasis on the strengthening of composite plastics. In addition to the growing number of patents, there was also a significant increase in the number of companies and institutions holding patents. Despite its prominence in the production of sisal, Brazil has little presence in the global patenting. Also verified was the importance of patent analysis for monitoring the evolution of technologies and interests, through the availability of public information. This information can be turned into useful indicators for the analysis of market and technology, associated with sisal or other technology areas.