Exploring Non-wood Plants as Alternative Pulps: From the Physical and Chemical Perspectives

Abstract

The increasing demand in wood fibre consumptions especially in pulp and paper making has pushed forward the search for alternative fibre resources. Non-woods derived fibre could be good candidates due to its abundance availability. The objective of this study is to determine the potential of non-wood plants as alternative fibres for pulp and paper-based industries based on its chemical and physical properties. The chemical properties involved in this study (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, hot water and 1 % NaOH solubilities and ash contents) were determined according to relevant TAPPI test, Kurscher-Hoffner and Chlorite methods. Meanwhile, the physical properties (fibre length and diameter) were determined according to the Franklin method. In order to propose the suitability of the studied non-wood plants as alternative fibre resources in pulp and paper-based industries, the obtained results are compared to properties of published wood resources. Results show that lignin content (5.67 %) and 1 % NaOH solubility (19.64 %) of cogon grass are the lowest compared to cocoa pod husk and oil palm leaf. These contents influenced the production of higher pulp yield. Although cogon grass contains short fibres length than oil palm leaf, the paper product will have higher strength due to the good inter-fibre bonding. This study conclude, based on the chemical and physical properties, the cogon grass, cocoa pod husk, and oil palm leaf are suitable to be used as alternative fibre resources in pulp and paper-based industries with various applications such papers, boxes and craft materials.