EFFECTS OF PRETREATMENT IN NEUTRAL SULPHITE ANTHRAQUINONE (NS-AQ) PULPING OF JUTE CADDIES

The effect of pretreatment of jute caddies with cold water, hot water and 1% caustic soda solution prior to neutral sulphite anthraquinone (NS-AQ) pulping was examined. The results showed that 1% caustic soda solution treated materials responded the best in NS-AQ pulping in producing bleachable grade pulp. This superior response was due to better removal of unwanted oily substances during alkali treatment compared to either cold or hot water treatment. The pulp yield of jute caddies was higher than hardwood species widely used in pulp and paper mills of Bangladesh. The physical strength properties of the pulp- like tear, tensile and burst indices were evaluated. Caddies pulp is superior to the jute stem and stick pulp but inferior to the bast fibre. Considering pulp yield and quality, NS-AQ pulp of jute caddies could be blended with imported softwood pulp for making moderate quality writing, printing and wrapping paper.