The Use of Eucalyptus Grandis Bark and Root as Raw Material in Pulp and Paper Production

The suitability of Eucalyptus grandis bark and root for the pulp and paper industry was investigated. The bark of E. grandis was cooked using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in the kraft process, while the root of E. grandis was cooked using the soda-anthraquinone (AQ) process. Four different charges (0.0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7%) of NaBH 4 and AQ used as catalysts were added to the cooking liquor used in the processes. The chemical, mechanical and optical properties of the produced pulps were investigated and characterized. The yields, viscosity values, kappa numbers, as well as the brightness, tensile, burst and tear indices of the pulps were determined. The yield (RP: 39.1%, BP: 36.8%), viscosity value (RP: 897 cm 3/g, BP: 650 cm 3/g) and the kappa numbers (RP: 90, BP: 50) of the pulps produced from the root (RP) were higher than those of the pulps produced from bark (BP). The catalysts generally affected all the pulp properties, improving the properties of BP and RP. It was concluded that E. grandis bark and root can be suitable for the pulp and paper industry.