Evaluating ecologically important bamboo species for the pulp and paper industry

Abstract

Bamboo is used worldwide to rehabilitate degraded lands because of its fast growth, effective rooting system, and ability to prevent soil erosion. The pulp and paper industry has been experiencing an acute shortage of raw materials for the last two years. In such a scenario, bamboo could significantly bridge the supply gap, thereby relieving the paper industry. Keeping the above in view, Kuantum Papers Limited, Punjab, has recently focused on using bamboo in its production system to cater to its needs. The mill's current share of bamboo in its total furnishing is around 10-15%, around 85 tons per day. The present study, therefore, focused on evaluating ecologically important bamboo species viz., Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa vulgaris, Bambusa tulda, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus strictus, and Melocana baccifera in terms of their suitability to meet industry demands for strength, fiber quality, and yield for pulp production. These species were procured from different parts of the country. Results revealed that the properties of the species vary to some extent even after keeping all the conditions constant, like cooking temperature, time, and steaming temperature. The brightness of unbleached pulp for B. tulda was highest (23.7), and for B. balcooa was lowest (19.2). The screen pulp yield was highest in M. baccifera (51.4%) and lowest in D. hamiltonii (44.9%). The highest viscosity in unbleached pulp was observed in B. Tulda (27.9 cP) and lowest in M. baccifera (26.7 cP). The physical strength properties also vary from species to species. Burst Factor (BF) was highest in D. hamiltonii (52.77) and lowest in M. baccifera (35.67). The breaking length was highest in D. hamiltonii (6780 m) and lowest in M. baccifera (4900 m), whereas the tear factor was highest in B. tulda (105) and lowest in B. balcooa (79). The comparison between these varieties highlights the importance of understanding regional variation to optimize their utilization. Based on the study, specific recommendations can be made for cultivating bamboo on degraded lands to optimize environmental rehabilitation and industrial yield.