Practical experiences in papermaking with wheat straw pulps

The first 100 % straw paper was produced 1800 in England 1830 in the USA, Chamersbury, Pennsylvania. In the sixties over 10 % of the fibres used in the German paper industry were straw fibres, and there were many straw market pulp mills in Europe. In the sixties in the USA and in Europe research and mill experiences proved that such pulps could, unbeaten, replace hard wood (sulfite) pulps and papers became more uniform in formation, higher in opacity and had good static strength. Sizing of papers was easier and filler retention on the wire higher. But more steam was needed in the drier section and dewatering on the wire was slower. Papers with good rattle and stiffness could be made with beaten straw pulps. Beating of straw pulps is fast and the kwh/100 kg energy consumption was far less than the beating of hardwood pulps to reach similar results. Such pulps in the past were cheaper in price than hard wood pulps. Whether this can be achieved today must be carefully investigated. Special bleached straw pulps added to todays fibre furnishes should make papers with better formation higher opacity good strengths. Energy in the stock preparation plant can be saved.