Researchers from Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Dicle University, and Bartin University have successfully transformed orange peel waste into high-performance activated carbon (AC), paving the way for greener, safer building materials.
In their 2025 study, “Valorization of orange peel waste: activated carbon production and its role in enhancing particleboard performance,” the team used zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) to convert discarded orange peels into AC with a porous surface area of 572 m²/g. When mixed into urea–formaldehyde adhesives at up to 1.5 %, this bio-based AC significantly enhanced the strength and environmental safety of particleboards.
The modified boards showed a 26 % increase in bending strength (MOR), a 52 % improvement in elasticity (MOE), and a notable 29 % rise in internal bond strength. Crucially, formaldehyde emissions fell from 11.25 mg/100 g to 3.20 mg/100 g after 12 months—meeting the stringent E1 standard for indoor air quality.
These results prove that agricultural residues such as orange peels can be repurposed into valuable industrial materials, aligning with circular economy goals. The study highlights a low-cost, eco-friendly pathway to strengthen wood composites while reducing volatile organic compound emissions.
Future research will focus on scaling up production and testing durability under real-world conditions.
Reference
Ergün, M. E., Koyuncu, F., İstek, A., & Özlüsoylu, İ. (2025). Valorization of orange peel waste: activated carbon production and its role in enhancing particleboard performance. European Journal of Wood and Wood Products, 83(6), 185. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00107-025-02337-6
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