Pulping Process and the Potential of Using Non-Wood Pineapple Leaves Fiber for Pulp and Paper Production: A Review

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to investigate the potential of using pineapple leaves as non-wood materials for paper production. The chemical compositions of non-wood raw materials and the advantages and disadvantages of different pulping methods were reviewed. The advantages of solvent pulping process over other techniques in terms of scale production, water, energy and chemicals consumption, and pulp quality might be the driving forces of using this process in future production of pulps from pineapple leaves waste. Pineapple leaves are cellulosic, abundance agro-waste of pineapple industries with chemical composition of high cellulose contents. Good mechanical properties, renewable resource, and low cost fibers are the main factors that lead to high potential of pineapple leaves’ fibers to be used as alternative raw materials in paper industries.

Keywords:

• pulping processes
• non-wood fibers
• pineapple leaves fiber
• paper production
• cellulose content