Compostable cutlery from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) biomass

About the project

About the Project This project addresses the growing environmental problem caused by single-use plastic waste, particularly in food packaging and cutlery. Despite Malaysia’s abundant oil palm biomass, especially empty fruit bunches (EFB), its conversion into biodegradable materials remains underutilized. The project aims to develop a fully compostable biocomposite using polylactic acid (PLA), oil palm EFB-derived cellulose, and clay to produce environmentally friendly cutlery or food packaging. The materials will be synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation performance. The project will also provide opportunities for students to collaborate with industry partners, gaining practical experience and facilitating knowledge transfer for potential industrial adoption and sustainable commercialization. Main Supervisor: Associate Professor Pushpamalar Janarthanan , Monash University Associate Supervisors: Dr. Ang Chee Wei , Professor Wu Ta Yeong ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ How to Apply It is suggested that you first contact the main supervisor and provide them with your academic background and achievements to determine whether you are a 'fit' for this research topic. If you feel you are a good fit, submit your application here and ensure that you enter the same research topic as advertised on this webpage. To review the application requirements, please refer to our application submission guide . More information about the scholarships and the course application process is available here .

Research areas