Pulp and paper mill wastes: utilizations and prospects for high value-added biomaterials

Abstract

A wide variety of biomass is available all around the world. Most of the biomass exists as a by-product from manufacturing industries. Pulp and paper mills contribute to a higher amount of these biomasses mostly discarded in the landfills creating an environmental burden. Biomasses from other sources have been used to produce different kinds and grades of biomaterials such as those used in industrial and medical applications. The present review aims to investigate the availability of biomass from pulp and paper mills and show sustainable routes for the production of high value-added biomaterials. The study reveals that using conventional and integrated biorefinery technology the ample variety and quantity of waste generated from pulp and paper mills can be converted into wealth. As per the findings of the current review, it is shown that high-performance carbon fiber and bioplastic can be manufactured from black liquor of pulping waste; the cellulosic waste from sawdust and sludge can be utilized for the synthesis of CNC and regenerated fibers such as viscose rayon and acetate; the mineral-based pulping wastes and fly ash can be used for manufacturing of different kinds of biocomposites. The different biomaterials obtained from the pulp and paper mill biomass can be used for versatile applications including conventional, high performance, and smart materials. Through customization and optimization of the conversion techniques and product manufacturing schemes, a variety of engineering materials can be obtained from pulp and paper mill wastes realizing the current global waste to wealth developmental approach.

Glycome Profiling and Bioprospecting Potential of the Himalayan Buddhist Handmade Paper of Tawang Region of Arunachal Pradesh

“…A total of 500 different chlorinated organics collectively called Adorbable Organic Halides (AOH) are discharged in water bodies, viz ., chloroform, chlorinated hydrocarbons, syringols, chlorate, resin acids, phenols, furans, catechols, guaiacols, dioxins, vanillin, etc. ( Badar and Farooqi, 2012 ; Haile et al, 2021 ). Therefore, to meet the increasing global demands for paper, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) or non-wood fibers have turned out to be an important source of fibrous materials for the 21 st century ( Ashori, 2006 ).…”

Investigation of Degradation of Composites Based on Unsaturated Polyester Resin and Vinyl Ester Resin

“…Lignin possesses antioxidative, antimicrobial, and UV-blocking(-shielding) properties due to its abundance of radical-scavenging phenolic and methoxyl groups [3][4][5]. Its properties are exploited in the production of new biomaterials such as biodegradable packaging, nanocomposite membranes, self-healing materials for biomedical and tissue engineering, and composite extracted from municipal solid waste [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

Paper industry slag for the production of building ceramics

“…Hu et al 38 proposed a lowered temperature recycling paper slug into artificial lightweight aggregates. Haile et al 23 proposed utilization of slag for high-value-added biomaterials. An analysis of the literature and patent study show that the slag is most often used in the building materials industry, in particular in the production of waste-based cement 25 wall products, blocks and expanded clay.…”

“…However, thermal methods are rarely used in practice due to their high capital and operating costs and the complexity of organizing the technological process. Based on the composition and properties of the slag and literature data, the possibility of its disposal in various areas has been established, like value‐added biomaterials, 23 building materials, 24 cements 25 and materials for wastewater purification 26 . The most preferred direction is to return the slag to the process.…”