Advanced Bamboo Research Group

The Advanced Bamboo Research Group is established to spearhead research, development, and innovation in bamboo-based technologies. Our goal is to drive commercialization, catalyze community empowerment, and position Sabah as a regional leader in bioproduct innovation, aligned with national sustainability targets and SDG frameworks

We collaborate across academia, industry, and government to unlock the full potential of bamboo, from advanced composites and eco-packaging to traditional knowledge systems and circular bioeconomy strategies.
- Vision: To be a leading research group driving sustainable bamboo innovation for societal and environmental impact.
- Mission: To explore, develop, and commercialize innovative bamboo technologies through interdisciplinary research, strategic collaboration, and community empowerment.

Sabah is endowed with an extraordinary diversity of bamboo resources, making it a promising frontier for sustainable innovation. With approximately 5,200 hectares of bamboo forests concentrated in the districts of  Tambunan, Ranau, Keningau, Sipitang, and Telupid, the region offers a rich foundation for material science, ecological stewardship, and community-driven enterprise.

Key Bamboo Species of Sabah
Our research focuses on the unique properties and potential applications of Sabah’s native bamboo species, including:

Researcher:
Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Ridhwan bin Jumaidin (Leader)
Expertise: Natural fiber composites
Faculty: Engineering

Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Abu Zahrim Bin Yaser
Expertise: Waste processing
Faculty: Engineering

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Normah Awang Besar @ Raffie
Expertise: Soil carbon
Faculty: Tropical Forestry

Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Habib Musa bin Mohamad 
Expertise: Geotechnical Engineering
Faculty: Engineering

Dr. Mohd. Kamel Wan Ibrahim 
Expertise: Tribology, Contact Mechanics
Faculty: Engineering 
Dr. Ahmad Safwan bin Ismail 
Expertise:  Biocomposites
Faculty: Engineering

Dr. Muhammad Aizat bin Abd Ghani 
Expertise: Wood products and enhancement
Faculty: Tropical Forestry

Research Project
- Effects of diesel treatment on physico mechanical and durability of Gigantochloa levis species
- Physico-mechanical and durability of Bambusa vulgaris treated with diesel oil
- Kajian Ke Atas Sifat-Sifat Fizikal Dan Mekanikal Terhadap Buluh Berjenis Bulat dan Jalur Daripada
Tiga Spesis Buluh Di Sabah.
- Kajian terhadap sifat-sifat fizikal dan mekanikal ke atas buluh berlamina silang.
- Variations in anatomical characteristics of Gigantochloa levis and Bambusa vulgaris bamboo in Tamparuli, Sabah
- Durability Assesment of UF-Bonded cross laminated bamboo panels with varying layers numbers
- Performance of 5-layer cross laminated panels bamboo made from Gigantochloa levis species
- Kajian terhadap Sifat Fizikal dan Mekanikal Buluh Laminasi Silang Tiga Lapisan dan Hibrid Laminasi Silang bersama Akasia
- Fabrication of 3-layered corss laminated bamboo made from Gigantochloa levis species
- Penghasilan dan kajian ke atas 7 lapis panel buluh silang daripada spesis Gigantochloa levis 

Upcoming Research Project
- Assessment of the Characteristics and Species Distribution of Selected Bamboo Species (Gigantochloa levis and Bambusa vulgaris) in the Tambunan Region, Sabah
- Development of Bamboo Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Starch Composites for Packaging Application
- Leachate Treatment Using Bamboo by Adsorption
- Development of Bamboo Pyrolysis Machine
- Development of Soft Body Armour from Bamboo-Kevlar Reinforced Composites

Selected Publication
- Ghani, A., Hua, L. S., Yusof, N., & Kasdi, S. A. (2025). Introduction to bamboo species, origin and its characteristics. In Bamboo-Based Polymer Composites (pp. 1–21). Woodhead Publishing.
- Jumaidin, R., Whang, L. Y., Ilyas, R. A., Hazrati, K. Z., Hafila, K. Z., Jamal, T., & Alia, R. A. (2023). Effect of durian peel fiber on thermal, mechanical, and biodegradation characteristics of thermoplastic cassava starch composites. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 250, 126295.
- Jumaidin, R., Shafie, S., & Ilyas, R. A. (2023). Effect of coconut fiber loading on the morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of coconut fiber reinforced thermoplastic starch/beeswax composites. Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 31.
- Kasdi, S. A., Lee, S. H., Tahir, P. M., al-Edrus, O., Saifulazry, S., Salim, S., ... & Zhang, J. (2023). Characterization of the properties of Buluh Madu (Gigantochloa albociliata). BioResources, 18(4).
- Lamaming, J., Saalah, S., Rajin, M., & Yaser, A. Z. (2022). A review on bamboo as an adsorbent for removal of pollutants for wastewater treatment. International Journal of Chemical Engineering.
- Nazrin, A., Sapuan, S. M., Ilyas, R. A., Hawanis, H. S. N., Khalina, A., & Jumaidin, R. (2023). Introduction to bio-based packaging materials. Physical Sciences Reviews.
- Nurazzi, N. M., Norrrahim, M. N. F., Sabaruddin, F. A., Shazleen, S. S., Ilyas, R. A., & Ghani, A. (2022). Mechanical performance evaluation of bamboo fibre reinforced polymer composites and its applications: A review. Functional Composites and Structures.
- Rajin, M., Yaser, A. Z., & Rahman, D. H. (2024). A review on utilising combined agricultural waste adsorbents for ammonia nitrogen removal: Insights into bamboo biochar and empty fruit bunch. Sustainable Engineering.

Bamboo Extraction at Tamparuli, Sabah