Enhancing solid fuel potential of water hyacinth: A study on chemical modification through composting and demineralization Mustagfirin Mustagfirin, Dede Hermawan, Deded Sarip Nawawi, Sukma Surya Kusumah, Maya Ismayati, Jajang Sutiawan, Riska Surya Ningrum, Bramantyo Wikantyoso International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 2026 Rapid growth makes water hyacinth (WH) an exceptional biomass resource, but its low calorific value and elevated ash content hinder its application as a sustainable green energy source. This study aims to enhance the quality of water hyacinth as a solid fuel by increasing lignin content through composting and decreasing ash content by demineralization. The composting period for water hyacinth was modified to 4, 7, 11, and 15 days, followed by a demineralization process employing two solvents: water and 5% nitric acid (HNO₃). Proximate, ultimate, and chemical studies were conducted on water hyacinth before and following treatment to ascertain its specific alterations. This study indicates that after 15 days of composting, the lignin fraction increased from 10.01% to 15.14%. Demineralization employing a combination of water and nitric acid can substantially reduce ash content (19.4%). The demineralization of raw materials during composting is more efficacious in diminishing ash content than the demineralization of raw materials before composting. The most significant reduction was 46.17%, observed in the 11-day WH composting, where the ash content decreased from 22% to 11.84%. According to the results, modified WH is a viable raw material for solid fuel due to its enhanced lignin content and reduced ash level.
Citric Acid as an Alternative Adhesive: Optimisation of Concentrations on Characteristics of Jabon Plywood Muhammad Ilham Aulia, Alifah Syahfitri, Imam Busyra Abdillah, Abdus Syukur, Dede Hermawan, Rita Kartika Sari, Mahdi Mubarok, Muhammad Adly Rahandi Lubis, Sukma Surya Kusumah, Sarah Augustina, Jajang Sutiawan Journal of Renewable Materials, 2026 Citric acid adhesive is an alternative to formaldehyde-based adhesives that are more environmentally friendly because they are non-toxic and made from natural ingredients. This study aims to determine the effect of variations in citric acid adhesive concentrations on the physical and mechanical properties of jabon plywood. This study used citric acid adhesive with variations in citric acid (CA) concentrations of 59%, 69%, and 79%. Physical property tests include density, moisture content (MC), water absorption (WA), thickness expansion (TS), and delamination, while mechanical tests include modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and shear stress (TSS). The results showed that variations in adhesive concentration did not have a statistically significant effect on the physical and mechanical properties of jabon plywood. However, at CA, 59% had the highest density, and MC, the highest WA was recorded at CA 79%, while the highest TS was at CA 59%, but in this study, no delamination occurred. The highest MOE test result was at a CA concentration of 59%, the highest MOR value was at a CA 79%, and the highest TSS value was at a CA 69%. CA, with a concentration of 69%, is the optimal CA adhesive based on the strength of mechanical properties and water resistance.
Growth and wood physical properties of Neolamarckia cadamba under agroforestry system in a community forest in North Sumatra, Indonesia Nelly Anna, Evalina Herawati, Novita Anggraini, Jajang Sutiawan, BAGASTHA OLKY NARSIGA BANGUN, et al. Asian Journal of Forestry, 2025 Abstract. Anna N, Herawati E, Anggraini N, Sutiawan J, Bangun BON, Banjarnahor LD. 2025. Growth and wood physical properties of Neolamarckia cadamba under agroforestry system in a community forest in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Asian J For 9: 251-263. Jabon (Neolamarckia cadamba) is among primary alternative fast-growing tree species to produce wood products. This tree can be planted under various monoculture and agroforestry sytems, which might result in the growth and quality of wood across plant parts such as base, middle, and top. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the growth performance and physical properties of 13 years old jabon wood planted under agroforestry system in a community forest in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Measurement of growth characteristics and estimation of wood quality in stands were carried out using the census method to 161 trees. Physical properties were also assessed using destructive methods by felling three jabon trees to evaluate moisture content, density, specific gravity, and shrinkage. Testing was carried out per segment (from pith to outer bark) in each part of the base (B), middle (M), and top (T). The results showed that growth and physical properties of varied significantly. Growth characteristics for height ranged from 10.36-29.25 m with an average of 18 m and diameter ranged 0.19-0.81 m with an average of 0.36 m. The specific gravity was 0.23-0.94 with an average of 0.43. The density of wood was 0.43-1.50 g/cm3 with an average of 0.80 g/cm3. Analysis of variance showed that tree section had a significant effect on green moisture content (gMC), air dried moisture content (adMC), air dried density (ad?), oven dried density (od?), green specific gravity (gG), air dried specific gravity (adG), oven dried specific gravity (odG) produced at 95% confidence level. However, the effect was not significant on green density (g?) and wood shrinkage. In line with the results, the highest gG of 0.44 was obtained at the top, while the lowest of 0.36 was at the base. Regarding air adG, the highest value of 0.46 was found at the top while the lowest was at the base with 0.37. The highest odG was found at the top with 0.47, while the lowest was found at the base with 0.38. By comparing the tangential and radial (T/R) ratios, the dimensional stability of wood was determined, achieving the highest value was found at the base, and the lowest at the top. The results of this study suggest that agroforestry system do not inhibit the growth of jabon. Therefore, this system can be applied to produce wood-based products while optimizing land use, enhancing biodiversity and maintaining the microclimate.
Enhancing Jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) Laminated Board Properties with Impregnation of Citric Acid, Boric Acid, and Polystyrene Rudi Hartono, Raynata Andini Br Tarigan, Muhammad Navis Rofii, Ihak Sumardi, Aprilia Kartikawati, Jajang Sutiawan, Falah Abu, A. M. Radzi Polymers, 2025 A good way to produce large-sized wood products from small-diameter logs is by using laminated boards. The lamina undergoes an impregnation pretreatment to improve its quality before being formed into laminated boards (LBs). This research was performed to analyze the effects of an impregnation treatment on Jabon lamina with citric acid, boric acid, and polystyrene solutions on the physical and mechanical properties of Jabon LB. The Jabon lamina was first pretreated with citric acid, boric acid, and polystyrene by vacuuming for 30 min and pressing for 30 min at a pressure of 6.6 bar. The laminas were glued using isocyanate adhesive with a spreading rate of 280 g/m2, consisting of three layers, which were cold pressed for 24 h. LB’s physical and mechanical properties were affected by the nature of the impregnating agent. Impregnating the lamina with citric acid and boric acid increased the density and moisture content of the laminated board, decreasing its mechanical properties. On the contrary, polystyrene-impregnated LB improved. After soaking in hot water, no LB displayed delamination, indicating high bonding performance. The best impregnating agent for lamina pretreatment was polystyrene, followed by boric acid and citric acid. The chemical compound, functional group, and degree of crystallinity of treated Jabon LB all changed due to the impregnation process.
Development and characterization of novel particleboard panels manufactured from organic waste with fiberglass reinforcement Apri Heri Iswanto, Rio Febriansyah, Yusril Akmal Tanjung, Aryando Nainggolan, Nabila Nabila, Luthfi Hakim, Tito Sucipto, Jajang Sutiawan, Manggar Arum Aristri, Tomasz Rogoziński, Lee Seng Hua, Niken Subekti, Petar Antov Results in Engineering, 2025 • Organic waste composition significantly influences particleboard performance. • Three-layer board with 50% leaves, 50% shavings, and fiberglass performed best. • Optimal formulation satisfied JIS A 5908-2003 particleboard quality standards. • Fiberglass reinforcement improved mechanical strength and durability. • Reinforced organic waste composites yield eco-efficient, high-performance panels. Wood-based panels such as particleboards are widely used in construction, furniture, and packaging due to their affordability, ease of processing, and accessibility. Driven by environmental concerns and the need for sustainable resource utilization, there is growing interest in using organic solid waste as an alternative raw material. This study hypothesizes that integrating fiberglass reinforcement with organic waste can improve the mechanical performance and durability of particleboards. Two types of particleboards, i.e., single-layer and three-layer boards, were manufactured using organic waste materials (durian skin, mahogany, bamboo leaves, and bamboo shavings) combined with fiberglass and bonded with 10% (w/w) isocyanate adhesive under hot-pressing conditions of 160°C, 10 minutes, and 4.5 MPa. The composition consisting of 50% bamboo leaves and 50% bamboo shavings in a three-layer structure reinforced with fiberglass showed superior physical, mechanical, and durability properties, meeting JIS A 5908-2003 standards. These results demonstrate that incorporating fiberglass into organic waste-based particleboards significantly enhances their dimensional stability and strength, offering a sustainable pathway to produce high-performance wood-based panels.
Influence of Various Adhesives on Properties of Betung Bamboo Laminated Boards Rudi Hartono, Unedo Liberti Carlos Simbolon, Tito Sucipto, Evalina Herawati, Jajang Sutiawan, Aprilia Kartikawati, Riska Surya Ningrum, Teguh Darmawan, Ihak Sumardi, Muhammad Navis Rofii, Trisna Priadi Bioresources, 2025 Bamboo can be engineered for laminate boards and other sustainable construction material. The adhesive type is expected to affect the laminated board’s quality. This study analyzed the physical (density, moisture content, and delamination) and mechanical (bending and shear strength) properties of betung (Dendrocalamus asper) bamboo laminated boards prepared using various adhesives. The most favorable adhesive for enhancing betung bamboo laminated boards was determined. The bamboo lamina was arranged into boards (3 layers) measuring 30 x 15 x 1.5 cm each in length, width, and thickness. The laminated board was glued using isocyanate, epoxy, and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) adhesives using the double glue spread technique. The laminated board was tested for its physical and mechanical properties, following the JAS 234:2003 standard. Betung bamboo laminated board with isocyanate, epoxy, and PVAc adhesives had densities ranging from 0.89 g/cm3 to 0.95 g/cm3, moisture contents of 7.64% to 24.37%, delamination ranges from 0% to 100%, modulus of elasticities from 109,000 to 178,000 kg/cm2, modulus of rupture values range from 709 to 1,570 kg/cm2, and shear strength values of 25.0 to 60.0 kg/cm2. Isocyanate adhesive was found to have the best quality in physical tests, while epoxy adhesive achieved the best quality in mechanical tests of laminated boards.
