METHOD FOR EXTRACTING FIBRES FROM OIL PALM PARTS AND MAKING BIODEGRADABLE PALLETS THEREFROM

摘要

A process for extracting fibres form oil palm parts, including empty fruit bunches (EFB) for use in making hard board-like articles, such as a pallet, is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of feeding the EFB to a cutter, cutting the EFB into small/fine pieces, defibrating the cut EFB pieces into strands of fibres, and washing to remove oil from the fibres. The EFB fibres are admixed with adhesive composition which may include latex, plant-based starch composition and an alkaline compound as preservative such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Multiple layers of the adhesive admixed fibres are spread evenly over a plane and compressed into a pre-moulding piece (52) for ease of handling. The pre-moulding piece is then over-dried until 20 % moisture remains before it is placed in a pallet mould and compressed to form the completed pallet (54) which is left to set, dry and/or cure in ambience.