Abstract:

The breathability, strength, structural and optical properties of bleached kraft pulps from  blends of birch or pine with hemp stalks in a proportion of 80/20 weight % were studied. It was found that these pulps generally have comparable properties to those of bleached pulps from  birch and pine. The properties of bleached pulps produced from 80/20 weight % blends of pine or birch with hemp woody-core such as the breaking length, burst, and light scattering proved to be  comparable or better than those of bleached pulps from wood. However, the replacement of a part of birch or pine with hemp-woody core negatively affected their bulk, air-resistance, and tearing resistance. Taking into consideration the results presented in Part I and Part II of the study, it can concluded that hemp stalks are better fibrous raw material for the manufacturing of papermaking intermediates partially free of wood fibres than hemp woody-core.