Alkaline Sulphite Pulping of Hesperaloe, and Arid-Zone Native Fibre Plant from Northern Mexico, 2000 Pulping / Process & Product Quality Conference Proceedings

A. Wong, S. McLaughlin--University of Arizona researchers have discovered a native plant,viz.,various Hesperaloe species from Northern Mexico, which offers exceptionally balanced properties for the manufacturing of high-quality paper products. The domestication of these plants have been in progress at the University of Arizona’s College of Agriculture since 1993. The most promising species appears to be Hesperaloe funifera.

Laboratory-scale chemical pulping studies have been undertaken on hesperaloe fibres. Preliminary assessment indicated that the alkaline sulphite pulping approach can provide superior physical strength and brightness of unbleached pulp. The alkaline sulphite-cooked hesperaloe pulp was found to be very amenable to peroxide bleaching to high brightness.

It is anticipated that this super-strength pulp could provide a practical means to overcome the technical barrier in the manufacture of ultra lightweight coated and uncoated printing paper.