Kraft Pulping of Cocos Nucifera Coir and Trunk

The aim of this work was to evaluate the suitability of coconut plant as a main raw material for pulp and papermaking. In these experiments coconut coir and coconut trunk were pulped by kraft pulping. This experiment aimed to find suitable cooking conditions by changing chemical charge and liquid to chips ratio. To assess the papermaking potential of coconut pulps, the study was conducted to examine fiber characteristics, pulpability, bleachability, and physical properties of coconut pulps. Coconut coir fiber has similar characteristic to hardwood (short fiber) and coconut trunk fiber has similar characteristic to softwood (long fiber). Lignin content of coconut coir is around 40%. Yield achieved in coconut trunk and coconut coir (with and without coir dust) pulpings were around 30% (for coconut coir without dust removal) and 40% (for coconut coir after dust removal and coconut trunk). The pulps were bleached using Elemental Chlorine Free sequence and brightness achieved was around 85% ISO. Coconut trunk pulp was easier to be beaten than coconut coir pulp.