Spanish research team creates carbon fiber alternative from palm waste  

In Spain, researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València have created a biodegradable material from palm tree waste that has comparable properties to carbon fiber.

Dubbed Fiberpalm, the innovation is the brainchild of mechanical engineering students Manel Cabanes, Álvaro Gallego and Mario Salido; business administration and management majors Ángeles Vendrell and Ariadna Sánchez, and chemical engineering student Julián Pérez. The group received financial support and guidance from UPV’s IDEAS UPV.

A UPV press release says the province of Alicante generates over 100 metric tons of palm waste monthly. Most of this waste is burned, releasing carbon dioxide.