Palm Leaf Veneer Sheets as a Sustainable Substitute Material for Interior Applications

Palm leaf veneer sheets are an emerging interior material created from naturally shed palm leaves—an agricultural waste often burned and left unutilized. This research explores the feasibility, sustainability value, functional behaviour, and user acceptance of palm leaf veneer sheets as an alternative to traditional wood veneers used in interior surfacing. A mixed-methods approach was followed, including literature review, material analysis, and a 54-respondent user survey. Findings indicate high user preference for natural-looking and environmentally responsible materials, with 61.1% willing to adopt natural-waste–based materials for walls, furniture, and decorative elements. The research demonstrates that palm leaf veneer sheets offer significant environmental benefits, aesthetic warmth, curved-surface flexibility, and VOC-free indoor performance. The study concludes that palm-leaf-based veneer has strong potential for sustainable interior applications and can reduce dependence on conventional timber veneers while addressing ecological and design needs.