Special Issue: Palm Waste and Biomass Valorization

Palm plantations are common components of natural and cultivated flora around the world, and includes a wide variety of species (e.g. date palm, coconut, oil palm, sugar palm, doum palm, etc.). These plantations are the main source of livelihood for significant sectors of the world population, especially in the south. The main products of palm plantations (fruits) receive wide attention within the scientific and industrial community worldwide, whereas their biomass waste receive little attention. Despite that, palms generate a huge amount of biomass waste from pruning and fruit processing, which represent a burden on the palm growers and processors, and may cause fire accidents and infestation by dangerous insects. This biomass waste may represent a sustainable material base for a wide spectrum of industries ranging from compost, medium density fiber boards (MDF), block boards, and pulp, up to fiber reinforcements for advanced composites. Thus, there is a need to valorize palm biomass waste and maximize their added value via industrial technological advancement that can help in the sustainable development of vast rural areas around the world.

This Special Issue invites manuscripts that further our understanding of palm biomass and waste valorization in added value applications. Including, construction and building, pulp and paper, textiles and fibers, biocomposites, food products, lumber substitutes, organic fertilizers, natural fodder and silage, biofuel and biochar.