Transformation of banana peels into banana peel wood

This study aims to establish a sustainable valorization pathway for banana peel, an abundant agro-industrial residue, by converting it into a high-performance, wood-like biocomposite material. Using a simple and scalable processing method and with water as the only additive, banana peels were transformed into a dense, brown, and hydrophobic biocomposite. The material was evaluated for its mechanical properties, water repellency, density, and compatibility with conventional woodworking techniques. The biocomposite exhibits a Young’s modulus ranging from 0.8 to 3 GPa, and densities up to 1.2 g/cm³—values that are respectively comparable to those of light commercial woods and similar to that of ebony and a contact angle between 75° and 102°. It can be carved, shaped, and assembled with standard tools. Considering that banana production generates over 50 million tons of peel annually, this approach could yield up to 2 million tons of biocomposite each year. This work highlights the potential of agricultural waste as a renewable resource for producing wood alternatives. It supports the circular bioeconomy and offers a sustainable substitute for certain endangered tropical wood species.