Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) is considered the cheapest natural fiber with good properties and exists abundantly in Malaysia. It has great potential as an alternative main raw material to substitute woody plants. On the other hand, the well-known polymeric hydrogel has gathered a lot of interest due to its three-dimensional (3D) cross-linked network with high porosity. However, some issues regarding its performance like poor interfacial connectivity and mechanical strength have been raised, hence nanocellulose has been introduced. In this review, the plantation of oil palm in Malaysia is discussed to show the potential of OPEFB as a nanocellulose material in hydrogel production. Nanocellulose can be categorized into three nano-structured celluloses, which differ in the processing method. The most popular nanocellulose hydrogel processing methods are included in this review. The 3D printing method is taking the lead in current hydrogel production due to its high complexity and the need for hygiene products. Some of the latest advanced applications are discussed to show the high commercialization potential of nanocellulose hydrogel products. The authors also considered the challenges and future direction of nanocellulose hydrogel. OPEFB has met the requirements of the marketplace and product value chains as nanocellulose raw materials in hydrogel applications.

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In this review, the potential of natural fiber and kenaf fiber (KF) reinforced PLA composite filament for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D-printing technology is highlighted. Additive manufacturing is a material-processing method in which the addition of materials layer by layer creates a three-dimensional object. Unfortunately, it still cannot compete with conventional manufacturing processes, and instead serves as an economically effective tool for small-batch or high-variety product production. Being preformed of composite filaments makes it easiest to print using an FDM 3D printer without or with minimum alteration to the hardware parts. On the other hand, natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite filaments have gained great attention in the market. However, uneven printing, clogging, and the inhomogeneous distribution of the fiber-matrix remain the main challenges. At the same time, kenaf fibers are one of the most popular reinforcements in polymer composites. Although they have a good record on strength reinforcement, with low cost and light weight, kenaf fiber reinforcement PLA filament is still seldom seen in previous studies. Therefore, this review serves to promote kenaf fiber in PLA composite filaments for FDM 3D printing. To promote the use of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composite in AM, eight challenges must be solved and carried out. Moreover, some concerns arise to achieve long-term sustainability and market acceptability of KF/PLA composite filaments.

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This research focused on the enhancement of paper through the incorporation of a biodegradable and hydrophobic film coating with antioxidant properties. The effects of different lemongrass essential oil (LEO) concentrations (0–12%) on the physical, mechanical, microstructural, water‐resistance, antioxidant and biodegradable properties of gelatine/palm wax/lemongrass essential oil (GPL)‐coated paper were analysed. Uncoated paper was used as a control. The GPL‐coated papers were heat sealable and had significantly (p < 0.05) higher tensile strength and stretchability but lower stiffness than those of the control paper. The GPL‐coated paper incorporated with higher LEO concentrations showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the initial contact angle while also demonstrating significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the Cobb value and water vapour permeability. The GC–MS analysis revealed that LEO was highly dominated by monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and their oxygenated derivatives, supporting that all GPL‐coated papers have a good amount of total phenolic compounds and free radical scavenging activities, which improved significantly (p < 0.05) with higher LEO concentrations. In conclusion, the GPL film coating was capable of improving the physical, mechanical and functional properties of Kraft paper and has the potential to be applied for food products.