Utilisation of cotton plant stalk for production of pulp and paper

Abstract A process for the production of semi-chemical and chemical pulps for the preparation of various grades of paper using cotton plant stalk, which is a waste, is described. Semi-chemical pulp was prepared by digesting cotton plant stalk chips with 15% caustic soda and the chemical pulp was prepared by digesting cotton plant stalk chips with 16% kraft liquor. The pulps were beaten to get the desired freeness. Standard sheets of individual pulps were prepared and tested for breaking length, burst factor, tear factor, number of double folds, porosity, brightness, etc. Paper sheets of very good quality can be prepared using cotton plant stalk as the chief raw material in the above processes. The paper produced from cotton plant stalk will be comparatively cheaper and will help in the proper utilisation of this agrowaste.