Multifunctional Rubber Seed Biomass Usage in Polymer Technology and Engineering: A Short Review

Hevea brasiliensis is the most relevant source of natural rubber-based products in the world, and it is mostly found in Southeast Asia. This species is highly functional because its seeds can be utilized as a starting material for many essential applications related to polymer engineering and technology. The main practical compositions are its shell and kernel. The importance of each composition is varied based on the content of each structure. The kernel is predominantly composed of oil, where the oil can be utilized for the production of biofuel and to impart flexibility in many polymer-based composites. Furthermore, the carbon and lignocellulosic contents are heavily represented in the shell of the rubber seed, making the shell useful as a natural resource for carbon-derived applications.