Durian rind good raw material for paper

The rind (balat) of durian fruit is a good material in making paper.

This is a new technology developed by Thailand which the Taiwan-based Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC) is sharing with the Philippines through the Los Baños-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

Over the past years, PCARRD and research institutions in Asia and the Pacific have been sharing search results in agriculture and natural resources with each other through the FFTC.

Under the technology generated by the Thai Postharvest and Products Processing Research and Development Office, durian rind can also be made into photo frames, pencil and ornamental cases, and gift wrapping paper.

To considerably benefit from this technology is the durian industry in Mindanao, particularly in Davao where this tree species whose fruit “smells like  hell but tastes like heaven” thrives.

“The use of the technology may also help in preventing piles of accumulated rinds with strong odor during the peak fruiting season,” stated PCARRD as reported by Bengie Gibe.

The paper made of durian rind is naturally brown, soft, and of good quality. It has no caustic soda, thus, it is safe to users.

Dye can be added into the processing tank before sieving for a more colorful paper (20 grams of dye per four kilos of raw materials).

“Designs can be made by adding rose petals or leaves soon after sieving, but before drying under the sun. Beautiful designs can be made depending on the maker’s skills,” PCARRD said.

Here’s another interesting outcome: If blended with rambutan rind, what is produced is a natural violet paper; with dragon fruit skin, a violet and soft paper. — Rudy A. Fernandez