Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES

This chapter presented the review of related literature and studies. A number of
literature and studies have been reviewed but only those which are directly relevant to the
present study are listed below.

Review of Related Literature

Local Literatures

The Philippine Coconut Authority (2021), in its publication “Coconut Husk

Utilization and Processing”, emphasizes that lignocellulosic fiber-rich coconut husks may

be turned into coir, a robust and adaptable material used in building, furniture, and

environmentally friendly composites. In order to improve the quality and longevity of

coir products, the paper emphasizes the need of refining processing methods. As a

sustainable substitute for traditional materials, coir contributes to waste reduction and

satisfies the rising demand for multipurpose, ecologically conscious furniture design.

Similarly, in the work "Exploring the Potential of Coconut Coir Fiber as a

Biodegradable Mulch," Pandiselvam et al. (2025) discussed the use of coconut coir fiber

as a sustainable substitute for soil-polluting plastic mulches. Coir fiber, which is made

from the plentiful coconut husks in the Philippines, is biodegradable, adaptable, and

helpful in eco-packaging, composites, and green building. By turning agricultural waste

into sustainable, community-beneficial goods, the work emphasizes its role in promoting

a circular economy.

As reported by the Philippine News Agency (2025), the Department of Trade and

Industry Region 11 worked with foreign partners to use innovative material engineering

to create high-value goods from coconut husks. The program emphasizes how coconut
husks may be used to make composite panels and furniture parts, increasing sustainability

and export possibilities. This initiative supports ongoing research on multipurpose,

environmentally friendly furniture and highlights the Philippines' coconut resources'

increasing international prominence in sustainable design.

Additionally, according to Valdez (2025) in “Coconut Tree (Cocos nucifera)

Products: A Review of Global Cultivation and its Benefits,” states that transforming

agricultural byproducts into useful products promotes environmental sustainability and

community development. His study on the Earth Board, made from compressed coconut

coir and natural binders, demonstrates how coconut farming waste can be turned into

durable, moisture-resistant, and eco-friendly materials. This innovation not only reduces

waste but also creates livelihood opportunities, aligning with circular economy principles

and proving that sustainable resources can produce high-value, practical, and green

products.

Limbaro, G. R. A. (2025), in “Developing Engineered Wood Products from

Natural Fibers to Advance Sustainability in the Philippines,” highlights the promise of

using native raw materials in manufacturing engineered wood products. The work

emphasizes that these materials possess sufficient mechanical strength, making them

suitable for sustainable construction applications. By utilizing coconut tree-based waste

components in composite fiber boards, the study contributes to addressing deforestation

and reducing agricultural waste in the Philippines.

Foreign Literature

According to reviewed article conducted by Henrietta et al. (2022), entitled

“Coconut Tree (Cocos nucifera) Products: A Review of Global Cultivation and Its
Benefits,” examines the agricultural and socioeconomic significance of the coconut tree,

often called the “tree of life” or Kalpavriksha. Beyond its value in food and industry, it

also supports cultural and ecological systems. Providing essential materials for medicine,

shelter, and textiles, the coconut tree remains a key pillar of sustainability.

Memon and Kim (2024), in the publication "Coconut Waste: Discovering

Sustainable Approaches to Advance a Circular Economy," emphasize the immense

potential of coconut byproducts—such as husks, shells, and coir—in promoting

sustainability and circular economy practices. These materials may be used as valuable

resources for building, furniture, and packaging, minimizing waste while offering

economic possibilities. Their findings are consistent with the current study's goal of

designing long-lasting, multifunctional, and environmentally friendly furniture using

coconut-based materials.

As cited by Nessar et al. (2025), in the journal “Coconut Coir Fiber Composites

for Sustainable Architecture: A Comprehensive Review of Properties, Processing, and

Applications,” it underscore the current global trend toward eco-friendly materials in

modern architecture. Coconut coir, a byproduct of coconut processing, is notable for its

availability, sustainability, and exceptional mechanical strength. According to the review,

coir-based composites improve structural performance while simultaneously promoting

environmental sustainability by recycling agricultural waste and decreasing reliance on

non-renewable components.

Furthermore, according to Faridul Hasan (2021) in “Sustainable Uses & Benefits

of Coconut Coir for Furniture & Home Decor” demonstrates that coir fiber-reinforced

composites exhibit enhanced mechanical, thermal, and physical attributes when

compared to synthetic fiber options. The efficacy of these composites can be improved

through surface pretreatment of the coir fibers, enabling broader and more durable

applications. This observation is especially important for the ongoing study, as it shows

that coconut-derived materials can deliver excellent performance while ensuring

sustainability, providing a practical and eco-conscious option for contemporary furniture

design.

In the review paper entitled "A State-of-the-Art Review on Coir Fiber-Reinforced

Biocomposites", Hasan (2021) emphasizes the significant potential of coconut by-

products in the development of sustainable, high-performance materials. Coconut husks,

coir, shells, and timber are eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials that reduce

agricultural waste. This is consistent with the current research's goal of creating a

multipurpose table out of coconut-based materials while also promoting sustainable

furniture design and environmental responsibility.

Local Studies

In the study of Bidol (2024), entitled "Development of Coconut Shell-Based In-

House Quality Control Material for Proximate Analysis of Solid Fuels," illustrates the

unrealized potential of using coconut by-products in environmentally friendly industrial

applications. Research shows that coconut shells, which are strong and resilient, may be

made into standardized, superior materials that can be used for a variety of purposes. A

solid basis for environmentally friendly furniture design that prioritizes sustainability,

lightweight efficiency, and longevity is provided by this innovation.

 Similarly, Esmeno (2024), in study titled “Utilization of Coconut Hard Timber

Sawdust as Particle,” explored the use of coconut hardwood sawdust in producing

particleboards. The study found that optimizing factors such as particle size, binders, and

compaction enables sawdust—an agricultural waste—to form durable composite panels

comparable to conventional wood products. Together, the findings of Bidol (2024) and

Esmeno (2024) highlight the versatility of coconut shells and sawdust as sustainable raw

materials for various industrial applications, supporting circular economy principles.

Pogosa (2025) in the article "Coconut Husk Availability and Utilization,"

published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Development,

examined the potential of coconut husks as an industrial resource for producing

fiberboard in major coconut-growing areas. The research emphasized that proper husk

processing could reduce environmental pollution and enhance the economy in rural

regions. Unlike previous studies on sawdust and shells, Pogosa highlighted the role of

fibrous coconut waste in enhancing waste management and sustainable material

development.

Likewise, Dionisio et al. (2024), in study titled “Coconana Fiberboard:

Minimizing Banana Fiber and Coconut Husk Biomass through Sustainable Product

Development,” demonstrated that fiberboards made from banana fibers and coconut

husks exhibit excellent mechanical properties—such as compressive strength, water

resistance, and impact durability—making them suitable for multifunctional furniture

applications. The research underscores the benefits of combining agricultural residues to

enhance performance while promoting environmental sustainability.

 Palomar et al. (2022) in “Development in the use of coconut farm residues for the

manufacture of coir-wood-cement boards” examined composite panels made from

cement fortified with coconut coir and shredded trunk waste, demonstrating better

mechanical properties, moisture resistance, and thermal stability. The research confirmed

that these boards comply with Philippine particleboard regulations, offering an affordable

and eco-friendly alternative to traditional wood products. This study shows the structural

potential of coconut trunk and coir, providing empirical proof for their use in crafting

durable, multifunctional furniture, which aligns perfectly with the ongoing research on a

multifunctional table made from coconut tree elements.

Foreign Studies

Vieira et al. (2024), in research study “Coconut Waste: Uncovering Sustainable

Ways to Promote a Circular Economy,” emphasize that the coconut tree (Cocos nucifera)

is an essential asset in tropical areas—boosting food production and economic

development throughout Asia, the Pacific, and South America. Its produce provides vital

items such as coconut oil, milk, water, and dried coconut, supporting both small farmers

and large businesses, while acting as a foundation for local economies.

Additionally, Imran et al. (2024) in study “Advancements in sustainable material

development: A Comprehensive review of coir fiber and its composites” highlight that

coir, a fiber sourced from coconut husks, offers a sustainable alternative due to its

accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and recyclable nature. Through the use of efficient

extraction methods, changing the source, and enhancing manufacturing techniques, the

mechanical and physical properties of coir-based composites can be significantly

enhanced. These findings are relevant to the ongoing research, as they indicate that

careful material processing and manufacturing techniques are essential for producing

functional, durable, and environmentally friendly furniture using coconut-based

materials.

In alignment to the study conducted by Sulaiman et al. (2025), “Development and

Characterization of Coconut Coir Fiber Reinforced Plastic Composite with Bio-Epoxy

Resin,” showed that an ideal mixture—50% fiber, 42% plastic, and 8% epoxy—resulted

in remarkable tensile (9.85 MPa) and flexural (32.58 MPa) strengths owing to robust

fiber-matrix bonding and careful formulation. Together, these studies emphasize that

precise material ratios and sophisticated processing are crucial for developing high-

performance, sustainable products from coconut-based resources.

Chandel et al. (2025), in study entitled “Development and Characterization of

Hybrid Coconut-S-Glass Fiber Composites for Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal

Performance,” revealed that combining coconut fibers with S-glass fibers in an epoxy

matrix greatly improves mechanical and thermal strength compared to pure coconut

composites. The study underscores the importance of precise control over layering,

bonding, and curing to achieve superior hybrid materials—insights that directly support

this research’s goal of enhancing the durability, strength, and sustainability of coconut-

based multifunctional furniture.

In a related study, Jain et al. (2025), entitled “Additive Manufacturing of

Continuous Regenerated Cellulose Fiber Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites Using

In-Situ Impregnation Material Extrusion Technique,” demonstrated that incorporating

natural fibers into PLA composites can boost tensile strength by 290% and tensile
modulus by 470%. These remarkable improvements highlight the vast potential of

natural-fiber reinforcement. Likewise, this study anticipates that incorporating coconut

fibers into a carefully crafted composite matrix can transform sustainable furniture design

—merging durability, creativity, and eco-friendliness in a single intentional product.