Evaluation of the potential of alternative vegetable materials for production of paper through kraft processes

Abstract

The use of biomass resources different from conventional wood materials fosters the sustainable growth of the paper industrial sector and finds a development path in line with the concept of circular bioeconomy. In this work, six nonwood materials (Leucaena leucocephala, tagasaste, rice straw, Paulownia fortunei, Hesperaloe funifera and empty fruit bunches) were tested and compared to Eucalyptus globulus for paper production under Kraft conditions. All the raw materials were chemically characterized to determine holocellulose, cellulose, Klason lignin, ash, hot water solubles, 1% soda solubles and ethanol-benzene extractives. In addition, a biometric test was performed to determine the length and the width of the fibres. The cellulosic pulps obtained from the raw materials were characterized to determine their yield, viscosity, Kappa number and drainage index. As regards the paper sheets made from the cellulosic pulps, they were characterized to determine brightness, stretch and tear index. A comparison of the results suggests that these nonwood species can be used for papermaking, under Kraft operating conditions, when high-brightness paper is not required.