Engineering Economic Analysis and Process Optimization of Waste-to-Food Conversion from Durian Seed Waste to Support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Abstract

This study presents an engineering economic analysis and process optimization of waste-to-food conversion using durian seed waste as a value-added food product. The research integrates mass balance principles and engineering economic evaluation to assess the technical feasibility, scalability, and financial performance of a home-industry production model within a green technopreneurship framework. Process optimization focuses on improving material utilization, operational efficiency, and production workflow from raw durian seed waste to packaged chips. The economic assessment applies standard engineering indicators to evaluate investment feasibility, capital recovery, and long-term financial sustainability. The results indicate that durian seed waste can be effectively transformed into a commercially viable food product, providing a practical pathway for bio-waste valorization. Beyond economic performance, the proposed waste-to-food system supports circular economy principles and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study offers a scalable engineering-based framework for sustainable agro-waste utilization.