Economic and Management in Wood and Paper Industries

An extensive background overview on the use of agricultural residues (wastes) for production of paper, board, binderless board, energy, different types of fuels by pyrolysis (solid, liquid and gaseous fuel), many petrochemicals substitutes, charcoal (activated carbon), dissolving pulps and rayon. It includes both scientific and industrial data, case studies, current status, sustainability of paper and sugar industries, green nanotechnology, and future prospects.
Keywords: Agricultural Residues (Wastes); Paper and Board manufacture; Sustainability of Paper and Sugar Industries; Green Nanotechnology; Future Prospects

The forest fulfils many functions: It protects the climate, provides wood, filters dust from the air, gives us recreation and provides habitats for many animals and plants. The updated report of the Federal Environment Agency shows how climate and environmental protection, sustainable forest management and the economical use of wood contribute to preserving the forest - which is strongly affected by climate change - with all its functions.

Soy-protein is used, for the first time, as bulk binder in papermaking from wood pulps (hardwood and softwood pulps). Wood pulps represent the major pulps used for paper production. A green denaturing method, involving only biodegradable compounds, was found sufficient to expose the functional groups of proteins. Addition of denatured soy-protein caused a considerable increase in all strength properties of paper, at all beating degrees. The effect was highest in non-wood (for comparison) followed by hardwood and softwood pulps respectively. This could be correlated to ratio of fiber length/width, fines, and hemicellulose content of pulps. The less the ratio, and the higher the fines and hemicellulose content, the more was the increase in strength properties; due to more exposed surfaces. The outstanding effect of soy-protein was magnifying the desired opacifying effect and retention of inorganic fillers e.g. kaolin, while eliminating the loss in strength, which occurs normally due to fillers.