Non-Wood Fiber as an Alternative to Wood Fiber in Chinas Pulp and Paper Industry

Abstract

Summary The pulp and paper industry in China has been growing rapidly as the nation's population and economy have grown. As a result, there has been a huge demand for pulp and paper raw materials. China has a long tradition for using non-wood raw materials for pulp and paper due to its limited forest resources and rich supply of agricultural residues and non-wood plants. Agricultural residues, such as rice straw and wheat straw, are traditional raw materials for China's paper industry. Massive plantation of bamboo provides an increasingly important source of raw material for pulp and paper. Problems with non-wood fiber include collection and transportation, storage and handling, washing, bleaching, papermaking, and chemical recovery. Small mills, primary users of non-wood fiber, are typically deficient in pollution control and subject to government closure. This paper reviews non-wood fibers commonly used in China's pulp and paper industry. By increased knowledge of use of non-wood fibers, wood suppliers can plan for access to the growing Chinese market.