Pulping properties of fast-growing wood "Kitakamihakuyo"

Kitakamihakuyo is a selected elite clone of a hybrid aspen (Populus sieboldii x Populus grandidentata). It was manufactured by our company to obtain a fast growing tree for pulp and paper production. After several trials, it was planted in northern Japan. During the test plantation, three types of the tree(Y-63, Y-79 and Y-102) were selected in terms of growth rate. In order to evaluate the properties for pulping, kraft and refiner mechanical pulping were conducted in the laboratory. The result of the experimental kraft cooking showed that it could be cooked down certain kappa number with a relative low alkali requirement, and that the pulp yield was higher than that of the eucalyptus wood which was used as a reference. The physical properties of the bleached pulp showed easier beatability and higher density of the hand sheet rather than those of the reference. Also the RMP had lower strength properties than domestic softwood RMP but higher brightness before bleaching.