Development of Eco-Friendly Cork Board

Abstract: Environmental sustainability drives the search for renewable, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products. Cork boards are widely used, yet commercial options are often neither sustainable nor cost-effective. This study addresses this by utilizing locally available organic materials—specifically dried Indian Almond tree (Terminalia catappa) leaves, which are abundant and typically treated as waste. By combining crushed leaves with wood adhesive, this research develops an eco-friendly cork board. It evaluates different material ratios to identify the optimal formulation that meets desired quality, sensory characteristics, and acceptability standards, offering a low-cost, sustainable alternative while promoting waste reduction. This study developed a sustainable cork board using crushed, dried Terminalia catappa leaves mixed with wood adhesive. It aimed to assess sensory characteristics, acceptability, and differences among three treatments: A (100g:150ml), B (200g:180ml), and C (300g:200ml). Using an experimental-developmental design under CRD, 30 evaluators rated the products via a 5-Point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using mean and ANOVA at 0.05 significance level. Results showed all treatments were “Very Acceptable”; Treatment C ranked best, rated “Very Appealing, Very Smooth, Very Compact, and Moderately Thin”. While appearance and compactness were similar across groups, texture, thickness, quality, and overall performance differed significantly, with Treatment C outperforming others. The study concludes that Indian Almond leaves are a renewable, low-cost, and eco-friendly material suitable for cork board production, helping reduce waste. Future research is recommended to explore other organic additives and improved processing methods to enhance durability and commercial value.

Keywords: Eco-friendly, cork boards, Indian almond tree, Terminalia catappa, sensory characteristics, acceptability, sustainability materials.