Elaboration and Physico-mechanical Characterization of a Composite Material Based on Waste Paper and a Bio-based Binder Derived from Aloe Barbadensis Miller Juice

In a context marked by environmental challenges and the need to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction sector, bio-based materials are emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional materials. This work is part of this approach and aims to develop an eco-friendly composite material based on recycled paper granules and a bio-based binder derived from Aloe barbadensis Miller, and to investigate its physical and mechanical properties. To this end, the materials were developed using two paper particle sizes (3 mm and 5 mm), with varying aloe vera juice contents ranging from 65% to 80%. The results obtained show that increasing the aloe vera juice content leads to a decrease in density, from 0.450 kg/m 3 to 0.302 kg/m 3 , as the juice content increases from 65% to 80% for the 3 mm particle size. Similarly, the density decreases from 0.439 kg/m 3 to 0.283 kg/m 3 for the same juice ratios with the 5 mm particle size. The water absorption rate also decreases with increasing aloe vera juice content, from 286.905% to 200.786% for the 3 mm particle size and from 305.865% to 226.303% for the 5 mm particle size, as the juice content increases from 65% to 80%. The three-point bending strength increases from 1.129 to 1.450 MPa (3 mm particle size) and from 0.815 to 1.007 MPa (5 mm particle size) as the aloe vera juice content increases from 65% to 70%. It then decreases from 1.450 to 0.979 MPa (3 mm particle size) and from 1.007 to 0.700 MPa (5 mm particle size) as the juice content increases from 70% to 80%. Furthermore, the wear resistance increases from 1.554 to 1.876 g/cm 2 (5 mm particle size) and from 0.908 to 1.238 g/cm 2 (3 mm particle size) as the aloe vera juice content increases, reaching an optimum binder content of approximately 70%. Beyond this value, a decrease in wear resistance is observed due to an excess of binder, with values decreasing from 1.876 to 1.401 MPa (3 mm particle size) and from 1.238 to 0.888 MPa (5 mm particle size). This study shows that the material can be used in construction for lightweight non-load-bearing false ceilings or partition walls.