Biodegradable foam: Utilization of pulp from palm stem and rice straw.

The production process in palm flour industry in addition to producing palm flour, this industry also produces waste, one of which is a solid waste in the form of fiber powder which still contains starch. The waste still has the potential to become a product that has added value. This research will discuss the potential of palm fiber powder waste into biodegradable foam (biofoam) and its characterization. Making biofoam using solid waste from the palm flour industry with an addiotional source of cellulose, rice straw. Biofoam formulation was carried out in 9 series of experiments with an additional ingredient as bounding agent, Polyvinyl Alcohol also Magnesium Stearat for prevent sticking to the molding when pressing process. The manufacturing process used thermopressing technology, by mixing the ingredients according to the formulation and then pressing using a hot-pressing machine at a temperature of around 145-165 0C in 30 minutes. The experiment of making biofoam was carried out with nine formulations that produced the best results, namely sample C5. Sample C5 was made from palm pulp waste with a content of 30%, straw with a content of 15%, PVA and Aquades with a content of 25%, and magnesium stearate with a content of 5%. Characteristics of the results of physical, mechanical, and biodegradation properties for C5 biofoam obtained water absorption of 68.674%, tensile strength of 2.297 MPa, elongation of 17.040%, Young's modulus of 0.219%, and a degradation rate of 67.468% with burial for 7 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]