Malaysian researchers turn pineapple waste into drones, liquid cleansers and more

Pineapple leaves can be transformed into products like paper, yarn and vegan leather. Photo: Anis Nabihah Aziz

Malaysia is one of the world’s largest producers of pineapple; the industry brings in over RM600mil to the country’s economy, according to the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB).

But harvesting pineapples results in tonnes of biomass waste such as pineapple leaves, core, peel, crown, and stem. Universiti Malaysia Pahang’s Assoc Prof Dr Aizi Nor Mazila Ramli is doing her part to use improved farming practices aimed at reducing pineapple waste to promote environmental sustainability.