These trends suggest an expansion of the pharmaceuticals industry to include the
term “agriceuticals.” Fibers similarly have been a straightforward category of natural
and artificial components. Now micro and nanno (very, very small) fibers are
changing the category and extending into new areas, as are new product forms that
combine natural and synthetic fibers. For example, the leading medical product to
treat burns on human skin for decades has been thinly sliced skin from specially
raised pigs. Now it is GORE-TEX®, a product most observers equate with athletic
gear. Wood fibers are being aligned to make products lighter and stronger, in some
cases lighter and stronger than steel. Combinations of wood fibers and concrete are
being fused into single pieces to make composites for creating strong, resilient, costeffective housing materials.