Utilization of Pandan Leaf Fibers (Pandanus simplex merr.) for the Production of Paper

Abstract

One of the main consumers of natural resources and energy is the paper industry. Wood is the conventional raw material in the producing pulp and paper around the world. The dependence on timber material to produce paper has led to the severe deforestation and greatly affected the ecosystem’s flora and fauna. With the increasing demand for paper, efforts are being made to find non-timber materials for paper production. Pandanus simplex merr. is a Pandanus species that is endemic to the Philippines and the amount of agricultural waste materials from its leaves being used for weaving contributes to solid wastes. In this study, we investigate the production of paper sheets from Pandanus simplex merr. leaf fibers and determine the effect of the pulping concentration to the tensile properties of the paper sheet made. The paper sample made using a 5% w/v NaOH pulping solution had the highest tensile index of 2.234 Nm g⁻¹, tear index of 8.46 mN m² g⁻¹, and average pore size 29.094 μm. The paper sheets produced showed potential as a sorbent material and can be used as an alternative to wood source in producing pulp and paper.