Researchers at the International Islamic University Malaysia have developed a biodegradable biocomposite made from durian skin fibers mixed with epoxidized palm oil. This material can be molded into food packaging containers and used as 3-D printing filament. The biocomposite degrades significantly faster than traditional plastics, making it an eco-friendly alternative. Future research aims to reduce costs and expand its use in various industries.
The process starts by extracting fibers from durian skin, which are then mixed with epoxidized palm oil. This mixture undergoes a chemical reaction to form a biodegradable polymer. The polymer is molded into food packaging containers and processed into 3D printing filament. After production, the biocomposite is tested for biodegradability, showing significant degradation (83%) after three months when buried in soil.
