Generally, paper-pulp-based materials are emerging in the packaging industry due to their high degree of biodegradability. Along with agricultural byproducts as an alternative, using additive or secondary materials in various processes and products has been a solution for implementing sustainability in material utilization. However, biodegradable materials still need to be improved due to the lack of properties which are essential for their use as packaging material. Currently, a number of research attempts have focused on enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties to increase the effectivity of those biodegradable materials for use as packaging material. The objective of this study is to analyze the effectivity of using sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) and wheat flour (starch) as a strengthening and thermal resistive additive. Due to its proven nano range particle size and fibrous nature, this material could positively affect the material properties. A total of twelve samples were prepared by varying the weight fraction of SCBA, white flour, and paper pulp. A compression molding method was used to prepare cylindrical samples with a diameter of 50 mm and a height of 55 mm under a compression load of 2 tonnes. Wet molded cylindrical blocks were oven-dried at 105 °C for 48 h to remove excessive moisture from the samples. Subsequently, all the samples were dried further until no significant weight loss was observed after the drying process to ensure their uniform moisture conditions. The prepared samples were tested for compressive strength using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Both load and compressive stress acting on each sample were plotted against the deflection of the sample. For the analysis, the deflection of each sample was measured at 8.6 kN load and the sample with 10% SCBA and 12.5% starch exhibited the least displacement among all additives. The results show that the samples with 10% SCBA and 12.5% starch also had the highest compressive strength compared to the other samples. Further, samples with the same amount of SCBA were analyzed for thermal resistivity and to obtain the thermal behavior of samples which is crucial in food packaging.Overall, most of the SCBA and starch mixed samples showed superior compressive strength compared to the pure paper-pulp-based sample.

The extensive accumulation of plastic waste causes serious environmental problems, leading to growing interest in biodegradable alternatives. In this study, the structural, chemical, and crystalline characteristics of a pulp-based material incorporating sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) were investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Mechanical properties of the materials were investigated through compression, tensile, and bending tests in order to assess their strength and flexibility, while biodegradability was evaluated through soil burial tests. The results indicate that SCBA addition enhances compressive strength, with optimal performance obtained at 15% SCBA content, while tensile and bending strengths showed an enhancement at 5% content. FTIR and XRD analyses suggested an increase in amorphous regions and notable microstructural interactions between SCBA particles and cellulose fibers, particularly at a 10% concentration. SEM images further confirmed effective particle dispersion and improved porosity in the composite materials. Furthermore, samples incorporating SCBA exhibited superior biodegradability compared to pure pulp. Overall, these findings highlight that incorporating 10–15% SCBA provides a promising balance between mechanical integrity and environmental sustainability, offering a viable strategy for developing eco-friendly, high-performance packaging materials.