Properties of Pulp Derived from Liang and White Bamboo Used in the Kraft Papermaking Industry in Thailand

Abstract

                This study aims to research the potential use of bamboo fibers in the Kraft paper industry in Thailand. ×Thyrsocalamus liang and Dendrocalamus membranaceus were chosen as the raw material to produce unbleached kraft pulp through the kraft process (active alkali 24% and sulfidity 35%). Pulp yield, rejects, and the physical properties were investigated to compare the potential of the fibers in the papermaking industry. The results indicated that pulp contents of ×Thyrsocalamus liang and Dendrocalamus membranaceus were high (47 and 49%) in yield and were low in rejects (0.14 and 0.33%), at a kappa number of 18 and 24. It was found that the physical properties of ×Thyrsocalamus liang and Dendrocalamus membranaceus after beating had an increased tensile index, bursting index and folding endurance with an increase in the beating time (0 to 45 min). However, the tearing index tended to increase for up to 15 min of beating and thereafter decreased with any increases in beating time. According to the results, the potential of ×Thyrsocalamus liang is similar to unbleached softwood kraft pulp. Thus, ×Thyrsocalamus liang can be used as a raw material to make kraft pulp and in the paper industry.