Some West African Hardwoods for Pulp and Paper Production

Paper is consumed as writing, packaging and building material in such enormous quantities that its production and availability have engaged scientists and industrialists as to materials suitable for its production. Old rags, grasses and vegetables in very large quantities could be used but the most handy material seems to be wood and the most suitable woods for production has formed the subject of this study. In Hardwoods of West Africa for pulp and Paper Production, some 16 trees have been investigated. Their anatomy as to the fibre morphology, cellulose content, which is most important in paper forming, and other parameters have been studied and some found most promising were used in trial laboratory paper sheet making. For example Musanga cecropioides exhibits excellent paper strength qualities. This book is useful as a text for students and researchers of Botany, Forestry and Wood Technology. Paper manufacturers will also find it a good resource material.