Kenaf as Pulp for Paper Making

One of the main product that can be derived from Kenaf is in producing high quality specialty papers. The decorticated bark and core from the kenaf stem can be used to produced pulps. The pulps has properties that is comparable to those produced from wood. The fiber offers the strength factor while the core provides the surface characteristics. In terms of process, Kenaf as pulp has many advantages as it does not require high energy consumption and also less chemical usage. By using Kenaf also, cost and labour will be reduced compared to the process of making pulp from wood.

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Advantages of Kenaf

Kenaf fibers also have many advantages compared to synthetic fibers. Compared to synthetic fibers, Kenaf requires much less energy. Natural fibers are produced by solar energy while Carbon fibers require a great deal of energy to be produced since its processing temperature can exceed 1200°C and 3000°C respectively.

Other advantages of Kenaf according to USDA are as follows:-
1. Rapid growth: Kenaf reaches 12-18 feet in 150 days
2. High yield: Kenaf also yields more fiber per acre. According to Australia's CSIRO, Kenaf yields can be 3 times the yields for Hemp. An area of 1-acre (4,000 m2) of Kenaf produces 5 to 8 tonnes of raw plant bast and core fiber in a single growing season.
3. Exceptional papermaking characteristics: Less chemicals, heat and time are required to pulp kenaf fibers because they are not as tough as wood pulp and contain less lignin. Lignin is a resin that binds the cellulose fibers in plants or trees together. Toxic chemicals such as chlorine are predominantly used to delignify and bleach wood pulp. Kenaf can be quickly and easily pulped and bleached with harmless chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide.(source: USDA)