Physical Properties of Rice Husk Packaging Material

The discharged of the rice husk from the rice mill all over the world causes a very serious environmental problem. Burning of the rice husk to dispose it emits dangerous gas such as CO2 and methane which have adverse effects on the ozone layer and health. Presently, several attempts have been made to transform the natural material such as rice husk into other product for example packaging material. The compositions of the rice husk are almost similar to wood, suggesting a great possibility for paper making and packaging product. This project aims to study the tensile strength and moisture absorption of rice husk packaging material. The strength and moisture absorption properties of paper box and polystyrene foam box were used as the benchmark.
Alkali treatment and grinding process were done on the rice husk. The treatment was done by using Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). Paper making and packaging making process was performed based on a small scale prospect. A simple tensile test and water absorption test were done as the project target is to produce a packaging product. Results from the testing shows that packaging from rice husk seems to have the strength similar to polystyrene foam. Moisture absorption behaviour of packaging from rice husk is also comparable with existing packaging product which is paper box.