Totora fibers as a new source for papermaking

Although wood is the main source for pulp and paper industry in Brazil, other renewable non-wood fibers could be key alternatives for papermaking. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the properties of handsheets produced from a mixture of totora (Schoenoplectus californicus) (C.A. Mey.) and Eucalyptus spp. (eucalyptus) fibers. The pulps were refined in laboratory dybeater "PFI type," varying the number of revolutions, in order to obtain refining curves in the range of 15 degrees to 60 degrees SR. The optical, physical, and mechanical properties of the papers produced were evaluated. The addition of totora fibers influenced refining process and paper properties. Moreover, the handsheets produced with the highest content of totora fibers showed low mechanical resistance. Totora is not suitable to be used as a single source of fibers, especially when good mechanical performance is required. However, when the fibers were mixed with eucalyptus, the mixture achieved reasonable resistance. Furthermore, higher opacity was obtained by the addition of totora (>= 97%), which is interesting for the printing and writing segment.