Advances in natural rubber seed shell utilization in polymer technology

The valorization of rubber seed shell into useful materials for industrial applications in polymer technology is of great interest. The usefulness of this material is borne out of the ease of processing; it’s readily available at low or no cost, and less abrasive to equipment. Literature and research reports have shown that rubber seed shell has gained applications in the adhesive industry as reinforcing additive, in electrode manufacturing, as filler in polymer composites, as sorbent in the uptake of heavy metals during waste water treatments, as starting material in the production carbon materials for value added products for the industry. However, there are still outstanding prospects in the utilization of this material in various areas of polymer technology such as a lignocellulosic source for the production of biodegradable foams, polymer gels, second generation bio-plastics and biofuels, and as surfactants. This review examines the results of a retrospective and prospective study in polymer technology of the latent properties inherent in rubber seed shell with particular emphasis on its utilization in polymer technology.