Processing of Waste Biomass: Production of Composite Thermal Insulation Panels from Empty Fruit Bunch and Spent Mushroom Substrates

As the push towards sustainable and eco-friendly solutions intensifies, the valorization of agricultural wastes becomes paramount. Leveraging these wastes not only alleviates environmental concerns but also contributes to value-added applications in various industries. Cellulosic waste fibers, such as empty fruit bunch (EFB) and spent mushroom substrate (SMS) fibers, hold promise for sustainable composite thermal insulation panels. This study explores the impact of refining EFB fibers at varying gaps (1.25 mm, 1.50 mm, and 1.75 mm) on the properties and thermal characteristic of composite panels. The resulting panels, containing 40% EFB fibers and 60% SMS fibers with a density of 800 kg/m³, exhibit improved surface morphology and interfacial bonding at a 1.50 mm refining gap. Results obtained confirm that panels with EFB fibers at refining gap 1.50 mm exhibit optimal insulation performance, demonstrating thermal conductivity of 0.246 W/m.K, and thermal resistance of 0.0244 m²K/W. These findings underscore the effectiveness of refined EFB fibers in enhancing the properties and insulation performance of composite panels for potential building insulation application. This advancement opens up new eco-friendly possibilities in development of composite panel using waste from the oil palm industry and paves the way for more sustainable practices in handling waste products.