Starch-Calcium Carbonate Surface Coating to Improve the Water Resistance Properties of Empty Fruit Bunch Paper
Susiani Susiani (1*), Mawan Nugraha (1), Supardianningsih (1), Gema S. Suryadi (1), E.A Setiadi (2)

1) Industrial Technology Department, Politeknik Negeri Media Kreatif, South Jakarta, 12640, Indonesia
*susiani.pupon[at]polimedia.ac.id
2)Research Center for Advanced Materials, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) - South Tangerang, 15343, Indonesia

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of a coating based on a starch and calcium carbonate mixture on the quality of paper produced from empty fruit bunches (EFB) of oil palm. The primary objective is to assess the changes in water absorbance of the paper before and after the coating process. Samples of EFB paper were coated and subsequently tested using a Cobb tester to measure their water absorbance. The results indicate that the application of the coating significantly reduced water absorbance of the paper. These findings suggest that the use of a starch-calcium carbonate mixture as a coating material can contribute to the improvement of paper quality made from agricultural waste. The implications of this research may lead to new opportunities for utilizing agro-industrial waste in the paper manufacturing industry.

Keywords: paper, empty fruit bunch, coating, calcium carbonate, water absorbance

Topic: Palm Oil Product Diversification in Creative Industries