We have already seen in our previous articles a wide range of topics such as the type of flooring or even windows. This time, we prefer to move away from more familiar and recurring subjects to address the question of cellulose raw material.
It comes from countless natural sources and has been used since its beginnings particularly as a composite material. In this article, we will talk about it in paper pulp manufacturing.
Although it is deployed in multiple applications, we focus mainly on its use in the French paper industry. To start, it is important to provide you with a definition of what exactly is meant by cellulose.
Essential to remember: In my opinion, cellulose is the most fascinating raw material in the plant world. I believe that understanding the paper cycle, from the forest to the fiber, is essential to have a clear view of our consumption. My point of view is that it is not an archaic material, but a resource for the future: its biodegradability and its infinite capacity to be reinvented make it the pillar of a modern circular economy, far from the image of a simple sheet of writing paper.
What is cellulose and how is it used in paper manufacturing?
Cellulose is one of the most essential elements of plant biomass. All plants including unicellular algae have cellulosic membranes. Cellulose macromolecules provide the plant cell walls with strength and shape.
This organic biomolecule is also a crystalline polymer of glucose. It is contained in the shells of plant cells. Cellulose raw material for paper can also be produced by living beings belonging to the protist species. Although it is a dietary fiber made of sugar, the human digestive system cannot assimilate it.
It can be used in countless products. Many exploit cellulose raw material from natural fiber fabrics, packaging products, cosmetics, and medicines. It is also manufactured into recycled paper. That’s not all, cellulose is used as a thermal and acoustic insulation, but especially in paper pulp manufacturing.
In this last application, it is possible to use countless materials once they contain cellulose fibers. In most cases, wood is used. But cotton, coconut fibers, and hemp can also be deployed for paper raw material.
To do this, it is first necessary to separate the cellulose fibers. The wood used for paper pulp manufacturing comes from chips and sawmill waste. These materials are then mixed and crushed to obtain a robust composite serving as the base of the paper. In return, it is possible to recover this for recycled paper manufacturing.
As a child, I enjoyed making my own recycled paper in the family garage by mixing old newspapers with water to obtain a gray, shapeless pulp. The realization was immediate the day I understood that this “mash” was made up of billions of cellulose fibers intertwining to create a solid structure. This was my first lesson in applied ecology: nothing is truly lost. This fascination with the structure of matter taught me that behind every everyday object lies a biological feat. Today, when I hold a beautiful art paper, I no longer see just a medium, but the genius of plants that have transformed sunlight and water into a material as strong as it is noble.
How does the pulping process transform cellulose into paper?
Cellulose is a natural material made up of plant fibers. It is both an ecological and durable component. It can be used not only to insulate a building or to make textiles. It is also a paper raw material for making disposable cellulose products, paper hygiene products, as well as recycled paper manufacturing.
To transform it into paper, it is necessary to produce the cellulose paper pulp. This involves breaking down the cellulose fibers using the Pulping system. The wood must be debarked and then cut into small pieces.
Once done, you mix it in a vat called the pulper with water and chemicals. The goal is to isolate the wood fibers and remove impurities. You then wash the obtained pulp, bleach it, and refine it to get a smooth material. All that remains is to press and dry the cellulose paper pulp to remove the water and tighten the fibers.
In the end, you will have sheets of paper rolled around a reel. The paper pulp manufacturing with cellulose requires little energy. It should be noted that this material is also an excellent sustainable alternative to plastics.
Technical table of the paper industry
| Manufacturing step | Process | Role of cellulose | Environmental impact |
| Pulping | Chemical or mechanical | Separation of wood fibers | Wastewater management |
| Jet formation | Draining on fabric | Interlacing of fibers | Water consumption |
| Coating | Addition of pigments | Receiving support | Variable recyclability |
What is the difference between plant cellulose and nanofibrillated cellulose?
Nanofibrillated cellulose or cellulose nanofiber is simply a product prepared from any source of plant cellulose. Many refer to it under the terms nanocrystalline cellulose or microfibrillated cellulose. Simply put, it is mainly composed of cellulose.
Cellulose nanofiber differs by its lightness. It has significant elasticity and a high thermal expansion similar to glass. Even better, this element offers impenetrable barriers against oxygen and other gases. It is classified among the very promising materials for use in countless fields, just like molded cellulose material.
Regarding its size, nanofibrillated cellulose measures 3 to 10 nm in diameter. As for cellulose raw material for paper such as cardboard or recycled paper manufacturing, it has a diameter of 5 to 10 nm. In this respect, the former may seem quite short compared to nanofibrils produced by grinding, microfluidization, or homogenization.
Compared to plant cellulose dedicated to paper pulp manufacturing, nanofibrillated cellulose is considered one of the most innovative biomass elements in the world. Scientists continue to conduct research to expand its range of applications to meet countless needs.
How does cellulose make paper more resistant?
Whether you plan to use it for paper pulp manufacturing, paperboard packaging, paper hygiene products, textiles, or disposable cellulose products, cellulose raw material is naturally resistant. It is therefore capable of making many creations stronger, including paper made from wood fibers.
It is worth noting that it is also unlikely to degrade over time. Unlike other materials, cellulose, whether it is cellulose wadding or molded cellulose material, does not compact. That’s not all; it has high resistance to fire and temperature variations, making it an excellent choice for insulating homes.
Despite the natural resistance of paper manufacturing cellulose, some do not appear rigid enough to withstand the test of time. If you do not know how to make your recycled paper manufacturing strong, do not hesitate to add lacquer, cornstarch, or abaca fibers to it.
What are the main products made from cellulose?
When we talk about cellulose raw material, the first idea that comes to mind is paper pulp manufacturing. To achieve this, the professional grates the wood using grinding stones and then treats it with chemicals.
With mechanical cellulose paper pulp, newsprint paper is obtained. As for chemical cellulose paper pulp, the papers produced have high resistance, such as grocery bags.
Cellulose is also used in recycled paper manufacturing. Many use it to create countless types of paper made from wood fibers such as cardboard, invoices, business cards, toilet paper, paper hygiene products, and more.
Besides that, this durable and ecological material is used as one of the best thermal insulators. It helps improve comfort in the home. Cellulose comes in many forms for home insulation. Certainly, cellulose wadding is the most common model, but there are also cellulose rolls, cellulose panels, and loose cellulose.
It should be noted that cellulose wadding paper is among the cheapest insulators on the market. It helps you save energy as it reduces heat loss. Thus, its use helps lighten your heating bills.
Many professionals also use cellulose in carbohydrate applications, biorefining, biofuels, and pyrolysis mechanisms. Molded cellulose material allows the manufacture of egg cartons, pallets, dividers, and cup holders.
In addition, cellulose raw material is useful in the production of food additives, cellophane, and textiles. There are many others, but these are just examples among many.
Why is cellulose a key material in sustainable development?
The use of cellulose is gaining momentum in supporting sustainable development. This material avoids compromising the resources of future generations since it is, itself, a sustainable element.
Whether in the production of paperboard packaging or paper pulp manufacturing, it can be recycled without any problem. The process is child’s play. You just need to sort and then clean the cellulosic waste, removing impurities. After shredding into small pieces, they are transformed into fibers or pellets. These can then be used in the manufacture of new cellulosic products for various applications.
Cellulose is also a biodegradable element. It is equally very environmentally friendly. Ecological, it is a basic component of all plants. In this sense, it is healthier as it contains no harmful substances for health. So if you are looking for a better raw material for recycled paper paperboard manufacturing, prioritize cellulose.
What are the applications of cellulose nanofibers in the paper industry?
Nanofibrillated cellulose or cellulose nanofiber is currently the most advanced terrestrial biomass material. It is no surprise that it attracts the interest of scientists as well as manufacturers in designing various indispensable everyday materials.
For example, it can be found in the production of packaging materials. Many paperboard products use it as a raw material. That is why cellulose nanofiber is a better sustainable alternative to plastics. By choosing it, you significantly reduce the need for packaging made from plastic materials.
Besides that, it finds its use in various sectors such as medicine, aerospace, textiles, cosmetics, food, electronics, and other reinforced material creations. More and more major brands also use it to manufacture deodorizing and antibacterial sheets, adult diapers, and many other environmentally friendly products.
Due to the variety of applications of cellulose nanofibers, its market is currently booming. It is not surprising that it is among the most sought-after materials by professionals in the market.
Even though cellulose is also widely used in paper pulp manufacturing, hygiene paper products, paperboard packaging, or disposable cellulose products, its selling price may seem lower than that of nanofibrillated cellulose. And if demand keeps increasing, it greatly enhances competition among suppliers of this material.
How is cellulose extracted from wood for paper manufacturing?
Among the various uses of cellulose, it is essentially the basic element of paper pulp manufacturing. Its fibers in wood are notably used for cellulose paper pulp. To do this, it is necessary to extract it from the wood.
First, you must isolate the cellulose fibers in the plant. It should be noted that these are bonded together by lignin. That said, you need to debark the wood and then shred it. Once this phase is complete, proceed to cook it at a sufficiently high temperature. You combine the heat with white liquor, which is a chemical product, in order to extract the cellulose from the wood.
The next step is to wash the cellulose. The bleaching process may be unavoidable. Once you obtain the cellulose paper pulp, you press and dry it before it is cut into sheets. Finally, each sheet will be rolled through a large reel.
Can cellulose be used to replace plastics?
With the advancement of technology, manufacturers are competing in inventiveness to reduce waste and preserve the environment. Plastic packaging is one of the origins of pollution. Since this material takes centuries to decompose, it contaminates the environment.
To solve this problem, many experts use cellulose as a sustainable alternative to plastics. 100% natural, it can be used to make a type of bioplastic that is more environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and much healthier.
Many products are made from cellulose raw material, including bottles, food containers, trays, cups, and much more. Thanks to it, the use of plastics is greatly reduced.
Thus, it is not only made into recycled paper or paper hygiene products. It is also possible to use it to replace plastic packaging.
What are the properties of papers made from pure cellulose?
It is the essential material in paper made from cellulose fibers. Due to its multiple advantages, products obtained from this molecule have interesting physical characteristics.
The stiffness of the paper is defined by the bonding of cellulose fibers and their quality. As they unite in bundles, their organization takes two forms. There are the crystalline parts that provide cardboard paper or recycled paper their hardness. For the amorphous parts, they give the paper its flexibility and elasticity.
Almost all products made from pure cellulose pose no threat in contact with food. That is why it is used for packaging biscuits, chocolates, cereals, and various foods.
Others are used for archiving documents, paintings, films, and other works of art. They are not only safe, non-carcinogenic, but also biodegradable. Their design meets quality standards and respects the environment.
Finally, if you are looking for reliable and quality materials for paper pulp manufacturing, do not hesitate to choose cellulose raw material.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cellulose and Paper: Everything You Need to Know
Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. For the paper industry, it mainly comes from wood (conifers like pine or hardwoods like birch). However, it can also be extracted from annual plants such as cotton, hemp, or straw, as well as from the recovery of fibers contained in already used papers and cardboard, which constitutes recycled paper.
This phenomenon is due to the presence of lignin in the pulp, a substance that “glues” cellulose fibers together in the tree. If the lignin is not completely removed during the chemical process, it oxidizes when exposed to light and air, acidifying the paper and degrading the fibers. This is why high-quality papers, called “acid-free,” are treated to retain only pure cellulose, ensuring preservation over several centuries.
Cellulose is a robust material but not eternal. With each recycling cycle, the fibers break and shorten. It is estimated that a paper fiber can be recycled between 5 and 7 times on average. To maintain the strength of the produced paper, it is often necessary to add a small proportion of virgin fibers (from wood) to the recycled fibers to reinforce the sheet’s mesh.
