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Tree-free paper, also known as no tree paper, offers an alternative to traditional wood-pulp paper[1] due to its unique raw material[2] composition. This type of paper is considered more eco-friendly especially when evaluating its entire life cycle.
Sources of fiber for tree-free paper[3][4][5]
Tree-free paper fibers are derived from various sources:
- Agricultural residues: These include sugarcane bagasse, husks and straw
- Fiber crops and wild plants: Common sources are bamboo, kenaf, hemp,[6]Coir,[7][8] jute, coffee husk, corn husk, lemongrass, rice stubble, spent barley and flax
- Textile and cordage wastes: Upcycling textile fibers also contribute to tree-free paper production.
Non-Fiber Sources
Tree-free paper can also be made from non-fiber sources such as calcium carbonate, which is bound by a non-toxic high-density polyethylene resin.
Challenges and Competitive Landscape
The paper manufacturing industry is highly competitive, with tight margins and small operating profits. This economic pressure means that raw materials must be cost-effective, renewable, and easily scalable. Traditional paper production relies heavily on wood pulp from commercial tree farming, which involves extensive cutting, replanting, and re-cutting of forests. This process has made wood pulp the preferred raw material due to its scalability and cost-effectiveness.
In response to the demand for sustainable alternatives, the paper industry has focused on recycled waste paper as a tree-free option. However, it's important to note that most recycled paper originally comes from wood pulp.
Barriers to Tree-Free Paper Adoption
The development of true tree-free paper has faced significant barriers. The commercial low-cost production technology, limited resource availability, and low-cost transportation to business markets have restricted tree-free paper to niche markets. Additionally, certain grasses and annual plants used for tree-free paper have high silica contents, which can consume pulping chemicals and produce fly ash when burned, posing further challenges.
- ^ Maloof, Joan (2021-08-02). Treepedia. Princeton University Press. doi:10.1515/9780691218243. ISBN 978-0-691-21824-3.
- ^ Małachowska, Edyta; Lipkiewicz, Aneta; Niemczyk, Marzena; Dubowik, Marcin; Boruszewski, Piotr; Przybysz, Piotr (2021-11-02). "Influences of Fiber and Pulp Properties on Papermaking Ability of Cellulosic Pulps Produced from Alternative Fibrous Raw Materials". Journal of Natural Fibers. 18 (11): 1751–1761. doi:10.1080/15440478.2019.1697994. ISSN 1544-0478.
- ^ Bajpai, Pratima (2021), "Worldwide pulping capacity of nonwood fibers", Nonwood Plant Fibers for Pulp and Paper, Elsevier, pp. 25–31, doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-821800-6.00003-x, ISBN 978-0-12-821800-6, retrieved 2024-05-21
- ^ "Treefree 101". Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ Paper, Bluecat (2019-06-25). "Ways to make Easy tree – free paper". Handmade paper. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
- ^ Cetin, M. S.; Aydogdu, R. B.; Toprakci, O.; Karahan Toprakci, H. A. (2022-11-28). "Sustainable, Tree-Free, PLA Coated, Biodegradable, Barrier Papers from Kendir (Turkish Hemp)". Journal of Natural Fibers. 19 (16): 13802–13814. doi:10.1080/15440478.2022.2107140. ISSN 1544-0478.
- ^ Jeetah, Pratima; Jaffur, Nausheen (2022-12-01). "Coconut Husk, a Lignocellulosic Biomass, as a Promising Engineering Material for Non-wood Paper Production". Journal of Natural Fibers. 19 (13): 5622–5636. doi:10.1080/15440478.2021.1889428. ISSN 1544-0478.
- ^ NagarajaGanesh, B.; Rekha, B.; Mohanavel, V.; Ganeshan, P. (2023-04-24). "Exploring the Possibilities of Producing Pulp and Paper from Discarded Lignocellulosic Fibers". Journal of Natural Fibers. 20 (1). doi:10.1080/15440478.2022.2137618. ISSN 1544-0478.