Plywood from Cassava Trees to Eco-friendly Style ‘Home Decoration Materials’

      Faculty of Home Economics students, RMUTT, shows the production of plywood pieces from agricultural residues of cassava trees as an eco-friendly decorative material products and furniture.
Plywood sheet from the cassava tree, the work of Mr. Thitikorn Wongkun, ‘Mark ’, 4th year student, Creative Technology, Faculty of Home Economics Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), with Dr. Supa Chulakupta, lecturer at the Faculty of Home Economics Technology as an advisor.
Thitikorn tells that the initiation of the work is from the experience and familiarity as farmers. Seeing in every planting processes of cassava. In which after the harvesting, most of the tubers are made in flour. The trunks that fit are to be planted and propagated further. While the stems that are very old or very weak will be cut off and are disposed by burning, affecting the nature by causing pollution. With the following problem, it is decided to take the residue parts of cassava trees in Kamphaeng Phet and Sukhothai province to produce plywood sheets where this work is part of a special program according to the curriculum.
Production of plywood sheets from cassava trees has the summarized steps as follows (1) Prepare the remaining cassava trees from agriculture, select the trunk, then dried under the sun or kiln drying (2) crushed to a fine to create a surface or pattern (3) mixes with glue or a substance used for brazing and bonding with formulas and techniques that are invented (4) compressed into shapes for strength for durability (5) cut edges and wood sheets according to the desired size. In the experiment, the particle board was used to test the physical properties according to the standard set by bending resistance test, Tensile strength, and moisture. In order to obtain quality plywood sheets from cassava trees.
Dr. Supa adds that this piece of plywood from the cassava tree produced for both interior and exterior use of the building. The piece is strong and durable, giving natural colors and patterns and the identity of the cassava tree. This increase the value for cassava trees from the agricultural waste which will generate more income to growers. And considered as a guideline for improvement and alternative for manufacturers of decorative materials and furniture in the Green Product segment. It also helps preserve nature because it is considered a transformation to other products instead of being wasted by burning and is considered as a part of creating good quality of life for growers. The production cost per piece will be cheaper than plywood, generally about half when comparing the thickness of the wood sheet.
The show has displayed and exhibited at the IEI & WIIF 2018, Foshan, China and won 3 major research awards which are the Gold Medal Research Award, Special Award from the Egypt Council of Innovations and Association, and Manila Yong Inventor Association Philippines Gold Award for Invention from the Philippines. In addition, the company received the ‘Excellence’ award from the Higher Education Invention Contest, The 7th RMUTT Young Talent Innovation Awards 2018. For more information, please contact Tel. 0814415506.