Modifying bioproduct technology of Medium Density Fibreboard from the seaweed waste Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria verrucosa

The effort to conserve Indonesian forest has become the main development priority which is indispensable to maintain the ecosystem balance, as well as thrive to preserve the use of timber wisely. Some alternative products, such as a composite board, are ideal to be developed as the alternative of timber products, as they have a main advantage of having various non-timber waste as the raw materials. One of examples of the timber utilization as the industrial raw material which have bright potential for both domestic and export marketing is the Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) industry. The last few decades have shown that the need for MDF has been growing rapidly in Asia Pacific and Europe, recorded more than 15% growth rate per year. MDF is made of lignocellulose fibre combined with synthetic resins or other bondings which are appropriate for the high temperature’s and pressure’s treatment. The main component to fabricate MDF is lignocellulose which can be obtained from timber, straw, grass, farm/forest waste, industrial waste (timber, paper), and other fiber materials. Lignocellulose contains three main compositions: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The seaweed waste, namely Kappaphycus alvarezii and Gracilaria verrucosa, which experienced the carrageenan extraction and already contain sufficient lignocellulose as the raw material to manufacture MDF. Modifying bioproduct technology of MDF from the seaweed waste (K. alvarezii and G. verrucosa) is an advantageous alternative effort for the sake of both ecosystem balance and environmental friendly technological innovation.