Recent advances in <scp>PLA</scp> polymer–rice husk–coconut powder biocomposites for sustainable <scp>3D</scp> printing applications

Abstract Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is biodegradable and resource renewable polymer, which has been extensively studied for its potential replacement of traditional petroleum‐based plastics. Its attractive features such as processability, mechanical strength, and additive manufacturability make it an excellent candidate for emerging manufacturing techniques such as fused deposition modeling (FDM). The practical use of neat PLA is severely restricted because of its inherent brittleness and low toughness, as well as poor thermal resistance. To overcome these limitations, studies have been carried out for improving the physical properties of PLA by using agricultural waste fillers like rice husk and coconut powder. These bio‐additives improve mechanical and thermal properties of the PLA as well as waste valorization and ecofriendly biodegradability. Rice husk, which has good silica and lignin contents, enhances stiffness, rigidity, and heat resistance whereas coconut powder rich in lignin offers improved toughness, flexibility, and moisture resistance. The addition of such fillers into PLA has resulted in significant enhancement of its tensile properties, dimensional stability, and biodegradability as long as these fillers are chemically treated with controlled processing. Moreover, the incorporation of such agro‐waste fillers in FDM‐based 3D printing paves the way for developing lightweight, toughened, and sustainable parts that can be used as load‐bearing structures, packaging material, and functional articles. This review highlights the emerging progress, processing challenges, and the potential of PLA–rice husk and PLA–coconut composites in a broader context of sustainable development using additive manufacturing technologies. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.