After two years of extensive research, the Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has succeeded in developing a biodegradable pineapple based plastic and paper product (PinaProduct).
The principal researcher of the project, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wan Aizan Wan Abd. Rahman said the success of the project has indirectly provided added value to pineapple farmers facing problems in eliminating waste generated by pineapple plants.
Dr. Wan Aizan said, paper made from pineapple leaves are much more durable compared with those made from tree pulp.
“The process to make this paper is not complicated as the process does not involve adding chemical substances”.
“Unlike tree pulp paper which has to go through a complex process, this product is quite cheap and has the same paper quality available in the market today,” she said.
Dr. Wan Aizan further added that the pineapple based paper can be used to produce tissue paper, paper bags, paper boxes and food wrapping materials due to its rugged condition.
Currently the Pina paper product is being produced commercially by Koperasi Usahawan Dinamik Johor Bahru, which is based in Kempas, Johor Bahru.
“For the production of Pina plastic products, it utilizes waste materials such as pineapple skin mixed with some chemicals before being placed inside the processing machine for shaping purposes,” she said.
Though laced with chemicals, this plastic product is not harmful to humans. On the contrary, it decays easily through a natural process, thus reducing environmental pollution,” said Dr. Wan Aizan.
However, Dr. Wan Aizan said that to date, no industry partners has shown interest in the project. This is most probably due to the fact that, “the pineapple skin used in the product is also used as food for livestock.”
“Thus, any parties that wish to undertake the Pina plastic project will have to compete with livestock farmers, which could increase the price of pineapple skin,” she said.
Asked about the future of this product, Dr. Aizan Wan said she hopes to further expand the product, thereby contributing to the number of environmentally friendly products.
“In addition, pineapple waste can be optimized and agro-based food packaging can also be fueled,” said Dr. Wan Aizan.
