Processing Pineapple Leaf Fibers Into Composite Materials

Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) at the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology Surabaya has become part of educational activities as well as pengabdian masyarakat. One of them is a real work class for community service or KKN Abmas which is held in Satak Village, Puncu District, Kediri Regency. In the village area there are many pineapple gardens which are quite extensive. Usually after the pineapple harvesting process the villagers will sell the fruit. But after the harvesting process it produces pineapple leaf waste.
From this waste, it can actually be reused, one of which is used as pineapple leaf fiber in the form of fibers as a composite material. The use of natural fibers as a substitute for synthetic fibers is usually cheaper, stronger, and environmentally friendly. Pineapple leaf fiber can be used as cotton and yarn to make cloth.
From the emergence of these problems, it became the main reason for the Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) Pengabdian Masyarakat Team ITS which was fostered by Prof. Dr. Ir. Soeprijanto, M.Sc. from the Department of Industrial Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Vocational ITS to educate, develop, and manage pineapple leaf waste in Satak Village by using a machine or a pineapple leaf fiber separator which can later improve the living standards of the surrounding community. Efforts to empower the economic power of the community that are being encouraged by the village government in the management of pineapple fiber have a very strategic position to be developed.