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Q.1031:  What are the merits and de-merits of various papermaking raw materials?

Ans.

Parameters Annual (Hemp, Manila & Cotton etc) Soft Wood Hard Wood Agricultural Residue Grasses (Bamboo& Kenaf)
Fiber Length Very Large >5.0 mm (0.2") Large 2.5 - 4.5mm (0.1-0.18") Medium 1 - 2.5mm (0.04-0.1") Small <1.0mm (0.04") Medium 0.5-2.0mm (0.04-0.08")
Strength Very High High Medium Low Medium
Chemical Pulp Yield Cotton >90% other 50% 50% 50% 35% 45%
Ease of Pulping Difficult Easy Easy Difficult Easy
Ease of Refining Very Hard Hard Easy Easy Easy
Amount available Very small Large Large Large Small
Maturity Cycle < 1 year >50 years >10 years < 1 year Bamboo>10, Kenaf <1 yr
Collection & Transportation Hard Easy Easy Hard Hard
General

 

Available quantity is low, warm

weather crop, difficult to collect

& transport, seasonal supply,

low digester packing

Overall best raw material for making paper Available quantity is low, warm

weather crop, difficult to collect

& transport, seasonal supply, low

digester  packing

 

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