Open Access

ARTICLE

Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch–Derived Cellulose as a Sustainable Reinforcement for Enhanced Starch-Based Bioplastic Films

Harmiansyah^1,2, Maisy Pitaloka Sinaga¹, Sheilla Ika Amalia¹, Salma Hanan Arwinda¹, Al Aqib Anugerah Ramadhan¹, Hervianna Indira Kusuma Riandara¹, Mohamad Haafiz Mohamad Kassim^3,4,5, Mohd Shahrieel Mohd Aras⁶, Melbi Mahardika^3,7,*

1 Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung, Indonesia
2 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
3 Research Collaboration Center for Nanocellulose, BRIN-Andalas University, Padang, Indonesia
4 Division of Bioresource Technology, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Malaysia
5 Cluster of Green Biopolymer, Coatings & Packaging, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
6 Faculty of Electrical Technology & Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia
7 Research Center for Biomass and Bioproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Serpong, South Tangerang, Indonesia

* Corresponding Author: Melbi Mahardika. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Eco-friendly Wood-Based Composites: Design, Manufacturing, Properties and Applications – Ⅱ)

Journal of Renewable Materials 2026, 14(7), 6 https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2026.02026-0007

Received 01 January 2026; Accepted 23 June 2026; Issue published 28 July 2026

Abstract

The limited mechanical performance of starch-based bioplastic films, particularly their low strength and stiffness, remains a major challenge for their broader application as sustainable packaging materials. This study aims to address this issue by utilizing cellulose fibers extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) waste as a reinforcing agent in corn starch–based bioplastic films. The bioplastic films were fabricated using a solution casting method with varying cellulose contents and subsequently characterized to evaluate their mechanical properties, crystalline structure, and thermal stability. The results demonstrate that the incorporation of cellulose fibers significantly enhances the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the bioplastic films. An optimum cellulose content of 12% (F12) resulted in the highest tensile strength of 7.40 MPa and Young’s modulus of 395.97 MPa, indicating a substantial improvement in structural rigidity compared to the unreinforced film (F0). Although a reduction in elongation at break from 38.13% to 1.88% was observed, along with minor changes in crystallinity and thermal stability, the overall improvement in mechanical performance confirms the effectiveness of OPEFB-derived cellulose as a reinforcing agent. This study highlights the potential of oil palm agricultural waste as a sustainable cellulose source for the development of starch-based bioplastic films with enhanced mechanical properties and added environmental value.

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Keywords

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