Paper Pulp Research Articles

Manufacturing Sub-Sector Dynamics and Economic Growth in Nigeria (1981-2022)

This study examined the impact of manufacturing sub-sectors dynamics on economic growth in Nigeria covering the period 1981-2022. Data for the study were extracted from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin and World Development Index (WDI) 2022. The method of data analysis used is the linear regression method with the application of the Error Correction Model (ECM). The major findings of the study reveal that Cement production (CP) contributes positively but insignificantly to economic growth in Nigeria (β = 2.622724 and p-value = 0.4414 > 0.05), Beverages and Tobacco Production (BTP) contributes positively but insignificantly to economic growth in Nigeria (β = 2.040513 and p-value = 0.0018 > 0.05), Chemical and Pharmaceuticals Production (CHP) contributes negatively but insignificantly to economic growth in Nigeria (β = -17.39120 and p-value = 0.5188 > 0.05) and Pulp paper and paper products (PPP) contribute positively but insignificantly to economic growth in Nigeria (β = 56.85029 and p-value = 0.5062 > 0.05). It is therefore the recommendation of the study that the government should create an enabling environment and adjust its taxation rate on these companies which is currently at 24% to around 18% and the federal and state governments should create a system to protect forests from illegal loggers who are indiscriminately exploiting and felling the national trees.

Gel Cleaning in Heritage: Comparison of the Water Release among Gels and Traditional Pads

Water release is a crucial aspect when considering cleaning effects on water-sensitive materials. In conservation practice, a water-based cleaning method which limits water release is very often needed. Unfortunately, this is not accompanied by an appropriate measure of the effectively released water. In this paper, water release has been measured by comparing traditional cleaning formulations, such as paper pulp and sepiolite, with several gar gel formulations, used by both Italian and European conservators. The assessment has been carried out by the gravimetric method, using three different stone material specimens as reference: Noto calcarenite, Manciano sandstone and Black Bergamo limestone, whose porosity values and distributions are known. Moreover, water distribution has been evaluated by portable NMR tests. Different commercial agar gel products (Bresciani, CTS, Sigma), having different concentrations (3, 4, and 5%), application modes (rigid at room T or fluid warm gels, with and without inserting Japanese tissue paper), and geometry (horizontal in gravity force direction or vertical), have been compared to obtain a full scenario among different water release mechanisms present in real conservation works. The paper faces the important issue of preparing reproducible chemical or water pads as well, useful for further research aimed at comparing cleaning effects in heritage conservation. The most interesting quantitative results can be summarized as follows. The water release measured from paper pulp and sepiolite was found to be 2 to 4 times higher than from any tested agar gel. Water release decreases by increasing agar concentration; an increase in the agar concentration by 1% induces a decrease in water release in the range 16.98–66.88 g depending on the stone; the increase from 4% to 5% is more obvious with respect to that from 3% to 4%. It is possible to assess the effect of the presence of Japanese paper, which is able to reduce the water release from 18 to 76%, depending on the stone and on the agar used. The gravimetric results were also used in the preliminary calibration tests of a contact probe named System Unit Salinity Index (SUSI), recently patented and useful in providing humidity and salinity indexes in a given porous material.

The salt removal from ancient sandstone using CaCO3 oligomer- and POSS siloxane-enhanced zwitterionic polymer

The weathering of outdoor sandstone cultural relics was dominantly induced by the circulating crystallization of soluble salt Na2SO4. This work proposed to weaken the salt-induced deterioration by a protective material that could reinforce the fragile sandstone and simultaneously remove the salt via continuously transporting the salt towards the air-sandstone interface without damage to the sandstone. Therefore, a new protective material bearing poly(methacryloyloxylethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC)-based zwitterionic polymer segment (PMH), hydrophobic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) segment (APTES-POSS) and small-size CaCO3 oligomer was prepared and denoted as POSS-PMH/CaCO3 composite. The presence of phosphorylcholine zwitterionic groups with water/salt affinity contributed greatly to the salt crystallization resistance of POSS-PMH/CaCO3 coating. Specifically, Na2SO4 crystallization pressure in the (POSS-PMH/CaCO3)-coated confined medium decreased by 88.1% and 59.6% as compared with that in the glass plate confined medium and that in the (APTES-POSS)-coated confined medium, respectively. In addition, the salt in (POSS-PMH/CaCO3)-treated sandstone could be ingeniously removed by zwitterion-induced outward transport. As a functional additive to traditional paper pulp poultice, POSS-PMH/CaCO3 could also achieve a high-efficiency extraction of salt from sandstone. More critically, the hydrophobicity and strong interfacial bonding ability of APTES-POSS segment, as well as the small size effect and crosslinking property of CaCO3 oligomer highly facilitated the interfacial adhesion of POSS-PMH/CaCO3 towards sandstone, improving the service life of POSS-PMH/CaCO3 and meanwhile avoiding the potential damage to sandstone during the removal of salt.

Enhancing the strength of tissue paper through pulp fractionation and stratified forming

Abstract The potential of combining stratified paper forming with pulp fractionation was investigated to improve the balance between low density, which enhances water absorbency and softness, and the dry strength of tissue papers. The selected fractionation approaches allowed us to separate especially stiff, low-fibrillated fibers (A fractions) from flexible, fibrillated fibers containing fines (detached segments of fibers, fibrils, or lamellae fragments) (B fractions). After characterizing the morphological properties of each fiber fraction, 20 g/m2 model papers were produced with and without wet pressing to tune the paper density. At a density of 0.3 g/cm³, the tensile breaking stress of B papers was at least three times higher than that of A papers. The strain at break of B papers was also close to two times higher than that of A papers. Interestingly, bilayer papers A/B exhibited breaking stress values intermediate between those of A and B papers, while native pulp papers, i.e., without fractionation and stratified forming, followed the trend of A papers. Notably, bi-layering the paper improved the breaking stress by up to twice as much without increasing the paper density, which could be highly beneficial in improving the balance of properties in tissue paper grades.

Waste paper recycling and its application in modification of the green biodegradable material

Waste paper is a significant waste resource that is part of waste polymer materials in vast quantities, and there is now a lot of focus on the development of high-value conversion and use technologies for waste paper. High-quality waste paper fibers (WF) were extracted in this work from the deinked waste paper pulp by mechanical process. Then, waste paper fiber/polylactic acid (WF/PLA) composites were synthesized using hybrid forming technique to investigate the modification impact of WF on WF/PLA composites. The results showed that a certain additive amount of WF could improve barrier property of WF/PLA composites. When WF was added of 3.5 %, a water vapor transport rate was only of 59 g/(m2d), and the barrier property was increased by 82.8 %. Besides, WF/PLA composites also possessed good thermal stability. With the additive WF ranging from 3 % to 4 %, the initial decomposing temperature of WF/PLA composites increased by 19℃. Importantly, the transparency of PLA was slightly improved with a certain addition of WF. Hence, this work realized the performance enhancement of WF/PLA composites by a small addition of WF, and reduced the production cost of PLA to some extent, which had a good application prospect.

A preliminary investigation of banana pseudo-stem (Musa cavendish) for pulp and paper production: morphology, chemical composition, FTIR, XRD and thermogravimetric analysis

Abstract In today’s world, the use of paper and cardboard increasing but the availability of raw materials and the environmental impact on the paper industry is a big concern. To address these concerns, researchers are exploring the potential of agricultural waste products as raw materials for pulp production. This study uses morphological, chemical composition, FTIR, XRD, and thermogravimetric analysis to examine the potential of banana pseudo-stem as a raw material for paper pulp to address environmental concerns and raw material shortages in the paper industry. The study reveals favorable characteristics for papermaking, including long fiber length (1750 μm), thin cell wall thickness (9.7 μm), and large lumen diameter (22.15 μm). The chemical composition of banana pseudo-stem contains cellulose (44.93 %), hemicellulose (23.7 %), and Klason lignin (11.1) showing its suitability for pulp production. FTIR analysis highlights the functional groups present on the banana pseudo-stem. The XRD analysis shows that it has a similar cellulosic peak and crystallinity index with common raw materials used in pulp production. The thermogravimetric analysis shows that the banana pseudo-stem has high thermal stability. The findings demonstrate that banana pseudo-stem, both by itself and in combination with other raw materials, might be a potential raw material for the pulp production.

A deep eutectic solvent with a lignin stabilization and functionalization for lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment

This study synthesized a functional deep eutectic solvent (DES) using betaine and glyoxylic acid (GA) for lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment. The Betaine/GA DES pretreatment resulted a high delignification efficiency of 81.89% and xylan removal of 83.25% while preserving most of cellulose. During pretreatment, lignin was stabilized by GA, preventing its condensation and introducing carboxyl groups onto its molecular backbone. The GA stabilized lignin (GASL), with a high β-O-4 linkage content of 62.92%, was depolymerized for phenolic monomer production with a bio-oil yield of 55.40%. Additionally, the functional lignin was used as a surfactant for GASL-based O/W emulsion (GA-O/W emulsion) preparation. With 0.5% of lignin addition and an optimal O/W ratio of 6:4, the resulting GA-O/W emulsion exhibited a high cream index value of 100% and excellent storage stability without any phase transition or emulsion aggregation. When using the lignin to prepare curcumin-encapsulated microcapsules, a cumulative curcumin remaining of 74.19% under UV radiation and an extraordinary encapsulation efficiency of 62.86% were achieved. Furthermore, this DES pretreatment promoted enzymatic saccharification of the pretreated cellulose substrate, resulting in a glucose yield of 91.49%. After adding 15 wt% of the fibers in soft wood pulp for papermaking, the tear index, ring crush strength index, and tensile index of the produced paper-sheets reached 112.04%, 98.58%, and 83.55% of those of the pure softwood pulp papers, respectively.

Evaluation of the antioxidant potential for three essential oils on the properties of wood pulp paper

Purpose This study aims to determine the efficiency of three types of essential oils (EOs) as antioxidants on wood pulp paper samples: camphor oil, clove oil and lavender oil. Because of the detrimental influence of the oxidation process on wood pulp paper, this type of paper suffers significant disintegration. Design/methodology/approach The evaluation methodology is based on scanning electron microscope and three directions laser microscope, the hydrogen ion concentration measurement, color change measurement using the CIELAB system and infrared spectrum analysis, as well as investigating the mechanical properties of paper as represented by tensile and elongation to determine Young’s modulus values. Findings According to the findings, camphor was an effective antioxidant for paper samples, protecting them from the damaging effects of oxidation and the impact of artificial aging processes while also improving the mechanical properties of paper. Originality/value This paper emphasizes the concept of using environmentally friendly materials derived from EOs, owing to their ease of application, lack of environmental impact, distinctive properties, low cost and distinctive properties in both curative and preventive conservation of paper manuscripts.

Xanthan gum templated hydrothermal synthesis of Bi2O3 nano-photocatalyst for the mineralization of chlorophenols prevalent in paper pulp mill

Xanthan gum templated hydrothermal synthesis of Bi2O3 nano-photocatalyst for the mineralization of chlorophenols prevalent in paper pulp mill

The Influence of Some Environmental Factors on Temporary Degradation of Organic Components of Paper Pulp and Writing Compositions

Abstract: Paper sheet materials and written compositions are complex multi-component mixtures, including dyes, solvents and resins, preservatives, and antioxidants, i.e., complex organic mixtures that change over time. Technical examination of materials and documents is in demand in the judicial and archival industry. Determining the actual date of appearance of a particular inscription on a sheet of paper is one of the most important and complex expert tasks. The task is divided into two components: analysis of the processes of temporary degradation of paper pulp and processes of temporary degradation of organic writing materials.

AN AGAROSE GEL-BASED APPROACH FOR THE REMOVAL OF METALLIC-BASE INK STAIN FROM THE PAPER SURFACES OF A 17TH CENTURY BOOK

Removing ink stains from the pages of ancient and valuable books is a very challenging and sometimes impossible task. Only in some circumstances, restorers are able to improve the appearance of an ink-stained page by lightening the spots using an ink eradicator. This paper reports on an approach for the removal of ink stains from a 17th century book using a combination of two commercial houseware products, the rust remover for textile and bleach. The products were chosen on the basis of their active ingredients such as hydrofluoric acid (HF), which facilitates the removal of metal ions contained in the inks (such as iron and chromium) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), known for its whitening abilities. The products were first tested by direct application to one of the several stained pages as a control experiment. The ink stain was successfully removed from the book, but by SEM analysis the page results in a clear detachment of the cellulose fibers from the paper pulp, which reflect a significant change in the paper fine structure. Moreover, the mixing of chemicals occurring during this procedure generated toxic vapors and the entire protocol could only be performed under a chemical fume hood. A new procedure was developed to mitigate these negative effects. Each of the two commercial products was dispersed in a 2% agarose solution shortly before its gelification and the two gels thus obtained were applied consecutively on the surface of the paper to be cleaned. The results showed an effective removal of the ink stain from treated page, avoiding irreparable damage to the paper structure and improving the working conditions of the restorers. Hence, the proposed gel cleaning procedure offers three main advantages: i) a simple and practical tool for effective removal of metallic ink stains from the paper surface; ii) reduction of damage caused by aggressive reagents (HF and NaClO) contained in cleaning products for a better conservation of paper fibers; iii) a great decrease of the risk of accidentally exposing the operators to harmful toxic vapor (produced by accidental mixing of aforementioned chemical reagents).

A MULTI-ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION OF AN IRANIAN LITHOGRAPHY BOOK FROM THE QAJAR PERIOD

The lithography books of Iran, despite their historical importance, have received relatively little attention. This study aims to comprehensively examine an Iranian lithography book from the Qajar period titled Hayat al-Qolub, to identify its materials. The paper pulp, sizing, inks and leather of the bookbinding were analyzed through various methods, including staining tests for identifying paper pulp, light microscopy, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, Micro-spectrophotometry, multi-band imaging, SEM-EDS and LC-MS. The findings suggest that the book was made of rag paper composed of linen and cotton fibers, while animal glue and gypsum were used for paper sizing and filling, respectively. Carbon black was used as black printing ink and cochineal was used for red ink. The leather cover of the book was made of goat skin that was tanned with gallotannins and unhaired with lime. Evidence of the use of liming in the unhairing process was also observed in this leather. This research enhances our understanding of paper and bookmaking techniques of the Qajar period in Iran.

Advancing sustainable molded packaging: Integrating silica aerogel into recycled paper pulp for the fabrication of thermally and mechanically stable superhydrophobic composites

In recent years, the growing demand for sustainable packaging has significantly fueled the quest to explore novel approaches that enhance the applicability of renewable alternatives. This study leverages the unique properties of silica aerogel (SA) to address the limitations of traditional molded pulp products. By integrating SA into recycled paper pulp (RP), we aimed to improve water resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical properties. Composites were prepared with varying SA concentrations (1–10 %). Contact angle measurements showed enhanced hydrophobicity, with RP/SA3 % achieving a contact angle of 152.09°, compared to 122.39° for neat RP. The tensile index (TI) of RP/SA composites with 3 % SA increased by 21.09 % compared to neat RP, indicating better mechanical strength. Thermal conductivity significantly decreased, with RP/SA10 % reducing from 0.155 W m−1·K−1 in neat RP to 0.088 W m−1·K−1, a 43.2 % improvement in thermal insulation. Additionally, composites with 1 % and 3 % SA maintained high biodegradability, showing over 50 % degradation after six weeks in soil. These results suggest that incorporating SA into RP composites enhances their functionality without compromising biodegradability, offering a promising solution for sustainable packaging. As regulatory bodies emphasize resource management and waste reduction, the potential of these innovative and environmentally friendly packaging solutions becomes increasingly significant.

Prospects of crude enzymes in replacing pure enzymes for dissolving pulp production.

High-purity cellulose from paper pulp can be obtained after appropriate treatments involving pure xylanases and cellulases/endoglucanases. This study investigated the efficacy of using crude xylanase and cellulase instead of commercial ones to improve process economics. Kraft paper grade pulp produced from veneer waste, hardwood, and non-wood sources was utilized as a more sustainable option. Crude xylanase and cellulase from isolated soil bacteria Bacillus pumilus 3GAH and Bacillus subtilis PJK6 were used for process optimization. The correlation between Fock reactivity, chain scission, and crystallinity after crude-cellulase treatment was established through chemical, FTIR, and XRD analyses. Pentosans in kraft pulp were reduced from an initial 18.7% to 4.9% through sequential treatments with crude xylanase and alkali. Subsequent crude-cellulase treatment, even at 8U/g o.d. pulp, improved Fock reactivity from 28.2% to 61.2%, fulfilling a major criterion for viscose. Thus, crude enzymes can be effectively used for the efficient and economical upgrading of paper pulp to dissolving pulp.

Effects of xylan-modified precipitated calcium carbonate filler on the properties of paper

Abstract The use of mineral-based fillers tends to reduce the mechanical properties of paper, which can limit their application. The filler surface modification is a significant treatment to overcome this limitation. This research aims to offer a novel modified mineral-based filler to provide its industrial application. The surface of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) was modified with xylan (XS), which is a type of hemicellulose, a polysaccharide consisting mainly of xylose residues. It is used as a filler at different filler dosage levels in paper pulp. Modified PCC(MPCC) was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Field-emission scanning electron microscopy analyses. The analysis demonstrated that the MPCC filler surface was coated with XS successfully. The effect of PCC and MPCC-filled hand-sheet paper physical, chemical and optical properties were studied. The experimental results showed that the mechanical (tensile, burst, tear strength) and optical (brightness, opacity) of hand-sheet paper filled with MPCC were significantly improved compared with unmodified PCC-filled paper at the same ash content. The filler retention of PCC and MPCC fillers in paper was investigated, and the MPCC filler showed better filler retention properties in paper stock than the PCC filler.

Biodegradable composite hydromulches for sustainable organic horticulture

Surface-applied mulches help retain soil moisture and optimize soil temperature while preventing weed growth and benefiting many horticultural crops. The most common mulch material is low-density polyethylene (LDPE), is typically landfilled, buried, or burned at the end of growing season causing negative environmental impacts. The goal of this research was to develop soil-biodegradable, liquid-applied (i.e., hydromulch) alternatives to LDPE mulch and optimize formulations that are acceptable for organic horticulture. Hydromulch (HM) treatments contained mixtures of paper pulp, wood fiber, or hemp hurds (Cannabis sativa L.) combined with various tackifiers and water. The tackifiers were guar gum (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.), psyllium husk (Plantago ovata L.), and camelina meal (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz), included at various proportions. Hydromulch samples were tested for physical properties (density, water holding capacity, C:N ratio, soil adhesion) and mechanical properties (tensile strength, puncture resistance). Hydromulches containing no tackifiers were included as controls to determine if the addition of tackifiers resulted in enhanced mechanical properties. The results showed addition of 6 % guar gum tackifier improved the tensile strength and puncture resistance by 182 % and 91 % respectively compared to control sample, and HM formulations containing paper were 200 % or more stronger than those containing wood or hemp hurds. Increased tackifier proportion was found to improve most mechanical properties, with guar gum performing best. Blending of tackifiers resulted in an interaction that decreased strength. Hydromulches containing wood fiber and hemp hurds did not show promising results. Paper in HM formulations helped to reduce mulch porosity and improved adhesion to soil. Results from the study provide a foundation on optimal formulations for expanded trials at field-scale.

Transportation Vibration Effects on Apple Bruising

ABSTRACTVibrations during transportation often cause mechanical damage to fresh produce. Addressing or mitigating this damage requires efficient packaging solutions that maintain fresh produce integrity during transit, thereby preserving produce quality and market value. This study investigates the effects of various transportation profiles and packaging designs on apple bruising using simulated truck vibrations. Two apple varieties, Fuji and Jonagold, were packaged in corrugated paperboard boxes with paper pulp trays, plastic crates with paper pulp trays, corrugated paperboard boxes with volume packing and plastic crates with volume packing, all commercial apple packaging. The packaged apples were exposed to two random vibration profiles: leaf spring and air ride suspensions, both set at four different intensities ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 Grms for 1, 3 and 5 h. The findings revealed that both packaging type and vibration parameters significantly influenced apple bruising. Especially, plastic crates with paper pulp trays led to the most severe bruising, whereas corrugated paperboard boxes with volume packing afforded the most protection. Regardless of the packaging design, leaf spring suspension resulted in more apple bruising compared to air ride suspension. The findings of this study provide practical insights for packaging engineers to mitigate the apple bruising during transportation.

Current expansions in the Brazilian timber market

The attractive financial returns from timberland investments in Brazil, particularly fast-growth tree plantations like pine and eucalyptus, have attracted multiple investors over the last decade. Among the countries with a competitive Pulp and Paper Industry (PPI), pulp and paper investors have expanded substantially in Brazil with new mills and planted areas. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of the dynamics of the Brazilian pulp and paper industry forest sector in the past decade. We described the current macroeconomic and political environment in Brazil and the expansion of mills and timberland in Brazil. Brazil is, clearly, among the selective countries where a substantial expansion of the forest sector is possible. The regions like Mato Grosso do Sul have impressive scales of productivity and expansion. Other areas, like the states of Maranhão, Piaui, Tocantins and Bahia present potential to expand forest plantation, however, they are limited by weather constraints (extensive drought and fire seasons). Even well-known markets, like the South region of Brazil, have has opportunities to expansion subject to higher land prices. Brazil’s attractiveness for timberland investments is underscored by robust economic indicators and extensive natural resources. Yet, navigating the complexities of its political landscape remains a critical consideration for potential investors looking to capitalize on the country’s promising forestry sector.

Kenaf: Opportunities for an Ancient Fiber Crop

Hibiscus cannabinus (kenaf) is an annual fiber crop grown in warm seasons and known for its remarkable productivity; it has been cultivated worldwide for thousands of years as a fiber source. While every part of the plant can be utilized for some purpose, its primary significance lies in the diverse applications of its cellulosic fiber. Kenaf features a blend of long bast and short core fibers, rendering it suitable for various industrial uses. Initially utilized for cordage and livestock feed, kenaf’s applications have expanded over the last century to encompass its utilization as paper pulp, biocomposites, textiles, biomass energy, seed oil, filtration aids, industrial absorbents, and even as a component of potting medium or as a potential source of medicine. Although traditionally a niche crop, the discovery of its diverse applications positions kenaf for rapid expansion in production in the upcoming decades. This article aims to explore the manifold applications of kenaf, highlighting those with the greatest future potential and discussing those that hold promise for commercial-level application with additional research.

Control of Structural Seismic Damage in Prefabricated Reinforced Concrete Frames through Hybrid-Selfcentering Connections

Current seismic design philosophy of industrial structures in Chile aims at the protection of life and continuity of operation in the industry. The compliance with these requirements allows controlling structural damage based on resistance criteria, without detecting the failure mode or specifying its location in the event of a major seismic event. In this paper, we discuss the application of an innovative technique for controlling the structural damage in prefabricated reinforced concrete frames, which are founded on granular soils. This technique is applied in the construction of the Forest and Paper Pulp Plant Concepción. This is done by incorporating hybrid post-tensioned joints in precast columns of the project, and this approach aims to control energy dissipation in the union and maintain the initial stiffness of the system. Using a nonlinear dynamic analysis with 2D Ruaumoko software, potential performance in traditional design versus innovative design is compared. The analysis is performed for various Chilean representative seismic records and different types of soils. The results indicate that the structure with the traditional design could suffer displacement in the roof of the order of 40 cm, moving heavily into the inelastic range, with residual deformations and concentrating the damage generation of plastic hinges at the ends of the columns and some beams not designed for ductility. In contrast, the use of self-centering hybrid joints causes the structure to recover its original position, without the presence of remnant deformations.