Abstract

Eucalyptus globulus is the second most important economic forest species in Chile. Its main use is in the kraft pulp industry, where large amounts of bark waste are generated. Due to its fibrous characteristics, E. globulus bark is proposed as an alternative source of fibres for papermaking. This study focuses on increasing the added value of the residual bark generated in the kraft pulp mills by obtaining fibres for liner paper manufacture. A neutral sulphite semi-chemical (NSSC) process was performed, varying the sodium sulphite (5% to 16%) and the sodium carbonate (2% and 4%) concentrations using two reaction temperatures (160°C and 170°C). A correlation was observed between pulping yield and mechanical properties. As the pulping conditions become more drastic, the yield drops and the physicomechanical properties of paper increases. Results showed that pulps from E. globulus bark could turn into source of fiber for papermaking and other related products.