High-performance sustainable tissue paper from agricultural residue: a case study on fique fibers from Colombia

Global sustainability megatrends are promoting the utilization of sustainably perceived fibers such as recycled and agricultural residue in hygiene tissue applications. Tissue paper products advertised sustainable have higher prices inferior performance than conventional manufactured from virgin wood fibers. This work demonstrates feasibility using residues fique plantations (Furcraea microphylla genus) an alternative to Northern Bleached Softwood Fibers (NBSK) high-performance For our study, fiber were mechanically cleaned upgraded a pulp simple pulping bleaching process. A complete characterization properties (bulk, softness, water absorbency, tensile strength) was performed compared against NBSK market pulp. Additionally, blended with Eucalyptus Kraft (BEK) match selected benchmark consisting 70% BEK 30% NBSK. Results indicate bleached has similar morphology comparable strength terms (+ 6%) tear 10%), but superior bulk 12%), absorbency 28%), softness (−29% TS7 values) blend showed 21%), 54%), 5.5%), 1.5%), (−8.7% over Our findings demonstrate that can substitute Upgrading raw materials for industry bridge gap between product performance, simultaneously opening possibility new revenue streams millions small farmers producing countries.