6533b7dcfe1ef96bd1271dc6

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Manufacturing Cellulosic Fibres for Making Paper: A Historical Perspective

subject

description

The manufacture of pulp and paper is an important branch of industry worldwide and is based on complex and multidisciplinary technology. The production and modification of cellulosic fibre, which created the foundation for this industrial sector, has had a rich and colourful history. It has gone through many eras and its development has been closely integrated with the growth of our fundamental knowledge of chemistry and other natural sciences. During the last two decades, modern pulp and paper technologies have undergone some significant developments, especially ones involving the creation of a wide range of new options for different feedstock materials. Nevertheless, the fundamental concept behind most pulp and paper technologies has remained practically the same. By the same token, there are still some major challenges to be overcome in the future, and they deal mainly with the economic production of novel by-products and their possible applications as well as environmental concerns. This chapter briefly traces the historical evolution of the development of pulp and paper technology, and also outlines its present situation.