SUITABLE AGES OF EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS DEHNH. FOR PULPING

Abstract

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. is a fast growing exotic tree able to be planted in all regions of Thailand. Based on the previous studies on moisture content of wood and bark, fiber dimension, chipping yield, chemical analyses, and sulfate pulping process, all ages investigated: i.e. , 3, 5, 6, 10 and 15 years; were found to be suitable for pulp production. However, if pulp yield, amounts of chemicals consumed in bleachability, and wood productivity per rai per year are in consideration, appropriate rotation for pulp production of E. camaldulensis should be 3-6 years rather than 10-15 years. E. camaldulensis had short fiber, but high cellulose content. Appropriate condition for pulping was of 12-16% active alkali with total cooking time of 3 hours. Due to its fairly physical properties, pulp gained from E. camaldulensis could be used for kraft paper production as well as for printing and writing paper production after being bleached. Thus, extension program of E. camaldulensis planting in proper sites would result to producing raw meterial for pulping industry together with decreasing trade deficit and increasing job opportunity as a whole.