Novel use of oil palm empty fruit bunch's lignin derivatives for production of linerboard coating

Oil palm empty fruit bunch's (OPEFB) lignin derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of OPEFB's lignin and palm oil using the ratios of 1:1 and 1:2, respectively. The formation of lignin derivatives was confirmed by FTIR analysis. The OPEFB's lignin derivative-based coating was prepared by mixing 5% (w/v) lignin into oxidized starch solution containing 1% arabic gum as a stabilizer. It was found that the viscosity of the OPEFB's lignin derivative-based coatings was close to the commercial wax. The results showed that the linerboards coated with OPEFB's lignin derivative-based coatings had a superior water resistance than the linerboards coated with commercial wax. However, an inverse trend was found for the contact angle. It was observed that increasing the palm oil dosage for synthesizing did not affect the water resistance of coated linerboards (p ≥ 0.05). The mechanical properties (ring crush test, tensile and bursting strength) of linerboards coated with OPEFB's lignin derivative-based coatings were similar to those with commercial wax coating. This study suggests that OPEFB's lignin derivatives have the potentiality for producing good linerboard coating. It provided better water resistance of coated linerboards than the commercial wax coating, and was also more environmental friendly.

► We synthesized the OPEFB's lignin–palm oil derivative.
► We applied OPEFB's lignin coating on coated linerboard properties.
► OPEFB's lignin coating provided good water resistance of coated linerboards.
► OPEFB's lignin coating did not downgrade the strength of coated linerboards.