Banana peels: a self-sufficient chemical system for the green and clean fabrication of wood-like materials

Abstract

Banana peels, without any additives other than water, are transformed into a wood-like material. This material presents some of the qualities of balsa and ebony, which are endangered tree species. It can be sawn, carved and assembled with conventional woodworking techniques. This work shows that the chemistry of the biological components of agri-food wastes is sufficient to construct amazing new materials using a clean process.