Areca Sheath: A Bio-Degradable Alternative for Synthetic Materials in the Food Industry

The undesirable effects of plastics on the environment are well-documented. One of the common uses of plastics is in products with short-term uses in the food industry, e.g., cutlery and plastic bags. This has focused interest in finding bio-degradable alternatives for these products that are mechanically, physically and aesthetically equal to if not superior to plastics. Areca palm sheath is a possible plant-based green alternative that can be used in the manufacture of plates and bowls. In fact, it has been in use in India for more than a century despite little knowledge about its mechanical behavior. To advance the use of these materials, it is critical to understand their formability and the nature of diffusion of water through the sheath. In this study, we report on the results of an investigation of their formability. Using measurements carried out on plates and bowls, we show that Areca sheaths are quite deformable and capable of withstanding strains as high as 0.7. The interplay between moisture content and formability is quantified. The formability and failure strains are related to the microstructure e.g., fiber, porosity of the palm sheath. The results show interesting opportunities for creating a wide range of environmentally friendly cutlery and packaging products.