Valorisation of Coffee Husk Fiber into High Performance PLA Biocomposites for Sustainable Food Packaging Applications

  • Authors

    • Manjula Palanisamy Department of Petrochemical Technology, Excel Engineering College (Autonomous), Namakkal – 637 303, Tamil Nadu, India
    • Srinivasan Govindan Department of Food Technology, Excel Engineering College (Autonomous), Namakkal – 637 303, Tamil Nadu, India
    • Sivakumar Palanisamy Department of Chemistry, Excel Engineering College (Autonomous), Namakkal – 637 303, Tamil Nadu, India
    • Sandhiya Kumaran Department of Petrochemical Technology, Excel Engineering College (Autonomous), Namakkal – 637 303, Tamil Nadu, India
    • Sanjuna Sudhakar Department of Petrochemical Technology, Excel Engineering College (Autonomous), Namakkal – 637 303, Tamil Nadu, India
    • Swathi Govindaraj Department of Chemical Engineering, Paavai Engineering College (Autonomous), Namakkal – 637 018, Tamil Nadu, India.
    • Prashanth Shanmugam Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Excel Engineering College (Autonomous), Namakkal – 637 303, Tamil Nadu, India
    https://doi.org/10.14419/7n6vty13

    Received date: June 7, 2025

    Accepted date: July 9, 2025

    Published date: August 8, 2025

  • Coffee husk fiber, Polylactic acid, Agro-waste valorization, Biodegradable composites, Sustainable packaging, Fiber surface modification

  • Abstract

    Agro-waste valorisation offers a sustainable route for developing environmentally responsible materials, particularly for packaging applications. In this study, coffee husk fiber (CHF), a lignocellulosic by-product of coffee processing, was chemically treated and utilised as a reinforcing agent in polylactic acid (PLA) to develop high-performance biocomposites. The CHF underwent alkaline treatment followed by benzoylation to enhance fiber–matrix compatibility by reducing its hydrophilicity. Composites were fabricated using compression moulding with varying CHF loadings (2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% by weight). The influence of fiber treatment on the mechanical, morphological, and water absorption properties of the composites was systematically investigated. Results showed a notable improvement in impact strength and flexural stiffness, particularly at 5% of CHF content treated. Water absorption was significantly reduced in treated composites, indicating enhanced durability. SEM revealed improved fiber dispersion and bonding, while FTIR confirmed successful chemical modifications. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of upcycling coffee processing waste into biodegradable packaging materials, supporting circular economy and waste reduction initiatives.

  • References

    1. Janissen, B., & Huynh, T. (2018). Chemical composition and value-adding applications of coffee industry by-products. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 128, 110–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.10.001
    2. Thyavihalli Girijappa, Y.G., Mavinkere Rangappa, S., Parameswaranpillai, J., & Siengchin, S. (2019). Natural fibers as sustainable and renewable resources for development of eco-friendly composites. Eco-Friendly Materials for Reducing Syntheses, 4, 74–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819481-1.00004-6
    3. Lule, Z., Ju, H.A., & Kim, J. (2018). Thermo-mechanical properties of alumina-filled plasticised polylactic acid and effect of alumina loading per-centage. Ceramics International, 44, 67–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.09.119
    4. Quiles-Carrillo, L., Montanes, N., Sammon, C., & Balart, R. (2018). Compatibilization of highly sustainable polylactide almond shell flour compo-sites by reactive extrusion with maleinized linseed oil. Industrial Crops and Products, 111, 878–888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2017.11.059
    5. Xue, L., Lope, G., & Panigrahi, S. (2007). Chemical treatments of natural fiber for use in natural fiber-reinforced composites: A review. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 15, 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-006-0042-3
    6. Goda, K., Sreekala, M.S., & Gomes, A. (2006). Improvement of plant-based natural fibers for toughening green composites: Effect of load applica-tion during mercerization of ramie fibers. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 37(12), 2213–2220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2005.12.005
    7. Hardinnawirda, K., & Siti Rabiatulla, I. (2012). Effect of rice husks as filler in polymer matrix. Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Sciences, 2, 181–186. https://doi.org/10.15282/jmes.2.2012.6.0017
    8. Raju, G.U., Kumarappa, S., & Gaitonde, V.N. (2012). Mechanical and physical characterization of agricultural waste reinforced polymer compo-sites. Journal of Materials and Environmental Science, 3(5), 907–916.
    9. Diana, L., Johan, A., Octavia, F., & Yesid, J. (2020). Torrefaction of coffee husk flour for the development of injection-moulded green composite pieces of polylactide with high sustainability. Applied Sciences, 10, 6468. https://doi.org/10.3390/app10186468
    10. ASTM D256 (2022). Standard Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics. ASTM International, West Con-shohocken, PA. https://www.astm.org/d0256-10.html
    11. ASTM D790 (2022). Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics. ASTM International, West Con-shohocken, PA. https://www.astm.org/d0790.html
    12. Chaudhary, V., Singh, A., & Verma, N. (2023). Effect of untreated and chemically treated agricultural fibers on PLA biocomposites. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 140(10), 53201. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.53201
    13. Zhang, L., Wu, X., & Li, T. (2024). Mechanical properties of PLA composites reinforced with functionalised lignocellulosic fillers. Polymer Com-posites, 45(2), 310–320. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.27889
    14. Lopez-Maldonado, E.A., Herrera, C., & Gomez, A. (2024). Interfacial enhancement of PLA biocomposites using enzymatically modified fibers. Composites Part B: Engineering, 270, 111635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2023.111635
    15. Anitha, P., Kumar, R., & Yadav, A. (2023). Sustainable modification techniques for natural fiber-reinforced PLA biocomposites. Materials Today: Proceedings, 72(3), 890–897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.06.092
    16. ASTM D570 (2022). Standard Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA. https://www.astm.org/d0570.html

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Palanisamy, M., Govindan, S., Palanisamy, S., Kumaran, S., Sudhakar, S., Govindaraj, S., & Shanmugam , P. . (2025). Valorisation of Coffee Husk Fiber into High Performance PLA Biocomposites for Sustainable Food Packaging Applications. International Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 14(4), 177-183. https://doi.org/10.14419/7n6vty13