journal: Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal

Impact Factor: 1.2

Zeitschrift

Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal

The international research journal on sustainable utilization of forest bioresources

Editor-in-Chief: Gunnar Henriksson

Sprache: Englisch

Erstveröffentlichung: 20. Januar 1986

Erscheinungsweise: 4 Hefte pro Jahr

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Über diese Zeitschrift

Objective

Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal (NPPRJ) is a peer-reviewed, international scientific journal covering to-date science and technology research in the areas of wood-based biomass:

Pulp and paper: products and processes

Wood constituents: characterization and nanotechnologies

Bio-refining, recovery and energy issues

Utilization of side-streams from pulping processes

Novel fibre-based, sustainable and smart materials.

The editors and the publisher are committed to high quality standards and rapid handling of the peer review and publication processes.

Topics

Cutting-edge topics such as, but not limited to, the following:

Biorefining, energy issues

Wood fibre characterization and nanotechnology

Side-streams and new products from wood pulping processes

Mechanical pulping

Chemical pulping, recovery and bleaching

Paper technology

Paper chemistry and physics

Coating

Paper-ink-interactions

Recycling
Environmental issues

Article formats

Research articles, reviews

Ihre Vorteile

Your benefits

State-of-the art knowledge in the broad field of wood-based biomass science and technology

Strong interdisciplinary approach

Renowned international editorial and scientific advisory boards

Publication online and print incl. online first mode

Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal is published in cooperation with Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden and run as a project at KTH with Chalmers University of Technology, Karlstad University, Mid Sweden University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Aalto University, Åbo Akademi University, Luleå University of Technology and University of Oulu.

Geschichte

Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal was founded by the Swedish Association of Pulp and Paper Engineers (SPCI) in 1986. From January, 2013 to June, 2018 the journal was owned by Mid Sweden University, and run as a project by Mid Sweden University, Chalmers University of Technology, Karlstad University, Royal Institute of Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Aalto University, Åbo Akademi University, Luleå University of Technology and University of Oulu. As of July, 2018 the journal is run as a project by the same universities but owned by the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm, Sweden.　

Other publications in the field

Journals

Holzforschung

Journal of Polymer Engineering

Nanotechnology Reviews

Reviews in Chemical Engineering

Science and Engineering of Composite Materials

Books and serials

Advanced Composites

Pulp and Paper Chemistry and Technology

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Removal of hexenuronic acids by extended oxygen delignification of high-kappa eucalyptus kraft pulp

26. September 2025

Eraldo Antonio Bonfatti Júnior, Francides Gomes da Silva Júnior

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The presence of hexenuronic acids (HexAs) in kraft pulp interferes with bleaching by increasing the consumption of bleaching chemicals and compromising brightness stability. This study investigated the removal of HexAs during the extended oxygen delignification of eucalyptus kraft pulp with a high initial kappa number (64). Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effects of temperature (80, 100, 120 and 140 °C) and alkali charge (15, 30, 45 and 60 kg t −1 ), both individually and interactively, under three conditions: without additives, with 0.05 % anthraquinone, and with 0.05 % ethanol (based on oven-dry pulp weight). The initial HexAs content (20.09 μmol g −1 ) was significantly reduced under severe conditions, especially in the presence of ethanol, which achieved a maximum reduction of 11.69 μmol g −1 (58.2 %). The removal of HexAs showed a strong dependence on the interaction between temperature and alkali charge, and the observed trends mirrored those of residual lignin, suggesting a similar response to the oxidative alkaline conditions. Among the treatments, ethanol was the most effective, whereas anthraquinone resulted in a limited reduction in HexAs content. These findings highlight the potential of optimized oxygen delignification for effectively reducing HexAs levels.
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Structural modifications to the pulper for enhanced energy efficiency and fiber quality in recycled paper production

23. September 2025

Tamer Sözbir

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In this study aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and pulp quality in recycled paper production, the structural optimization of a pulper system was investigated with respect to its effects on the process. Key modifications, including the reduction of rotor blade count, redesign of the screen perforations into a conical geometry, and narrowing of the rotor-to-screen clearance, were implemented to evaluate system performance. Following these improvements, energy consumption was reduced by 8.32 %, the Schopper-Riegler (°SR) degree increased from 20 to 25, and retention time decreased from 7 to 5 min. Significant enhancements were observed in fiber morphology and the mechanical properties of the paper. The revised pulping system yielded a more homogeneous and denser pulp structure, which contributed to increased production capacity and a more sustainable manufacturing process. The results demonstrate that simultaneous improvements in both energy savings and product quality are achievable in recycled paper production.
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Influence of the hybrid effect on the mechanical properties of pulp molds

17. September 2025

Hao Sun, Jieyu Cui, Lingjun Wei, Zhiyi Wu, Haojin Li, Yunfeng Zhu, Wanlin Zhang

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Recently, pulp mold material has emerged as an eco-friendly substitute for plastic due to its natural and recyclable properties. To investigate hybrid effect on pulp mold materials, wood, sugarcane and hybrid pulp (wood: sugarcane=1:1) were used to make boxes. The results of mechanical tests revealed that tensile index, stiffness, bursting index, and static compressive ultimate load of hybrid pulp mold materials are better than those of wood or sugarcane pulp mold materials. It was speculated that the failure mode observed in wood and sugarcane pulp mold boxes was delamination caused by interfacial instability. The eigenvalues, loads, and stresses corresponding to each buckling mode were obtained via buckling simulation analysis. To verify the hybrid mechanism, scanning electron microscope was exploited to distinguish the morphological differences of different fibers. Ultimately, a novel hybrid reinforcement mechanism in pulp mold material was proposed that hybrid effect reinforced the stability of the interface, which impacted the mechanical properties of hybrid pulp mold materials. This study advances the exploration of hybrid effect of interfaces, and the mechanism of interfacial instability and reinforcement can be implied to other pulp mold products.
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Preparation of mycelium paper sheets and study on their adsorption properties

12. September 2025

Weifeng Chen, Xiwen Wang

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With the progression of society, aquatic pollution has intensified, prompting a search for greener materials for wastewater treatment. Here, we present a mycelium-based paper developed via alkaline deacetylation of fungal mycelial fibers to chitosan, followed by vacuum filtration, and reinforcement with long plant fibers to enhance mechanical performance. The resulting mycelium–paper composite exhibits a highly dense structure, with very low air permeability (0.42 mL/min), tensile strength of approximately 14 MPa, and tear resistance up to 1,384 mN. In filtration tests, a single pass of 30 mg/L Cu 2+ solution yielded a removal efficiency of 98 %, corresponding to an adsorption capacity of 8.75 mg/g; for methylene blue dye, the adsorption capacity was 7.42 mg/g. Compared to conventional cellulose-based powder adsorbents, which often suffer from material loss and require post-treatment, the mycelial paper can be formed directly into membrane-like filters, simplifying handling. Furthermore, this mycelial membrane displayed strong adsorption across various heavy metal ions and dyes, underscoring its significant potential for sustainable water purification.
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Treatment of regenerated papermaking wastewater by sequencing batch moving bed biofilm reactor and kinetics study

8. September 2025

Jingran Peng, Yi Hou, Xiaoming Liu, Lirong Lei

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This study evaluated the use of three Sequencing Batch Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (SBMBBR) with Mutag biochip 30™ (MB) carriers for treating regenerated papermaking wastewater. The reactors operated at filling ratios of 15 % (MB15), 30 % (MB30), and 45 % (MB45). Biomass stabilized after 30 days, reaching 2.26 g/L, 4.01 g/L, and 5.58 g/L, respectively. The process parameters of the reactors were optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Under conditions of a C/N ratio of 21:1, an aeration rate (AR) of 2.65 L/min, a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 9 h, and a 45 % filling ratio, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of the wastewater achieved the highest value of 68.28 ± 2.03 %, with the average effluent COD reduced to approximately 170 mg/L while ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen were below 10 mg/L and 15 mg/L, meeting the discharge standards for recycled paper mill wastewater in China. Kinetic analysis using an improved Stover-Kincannon model showed good fitting (R 2 > 0.93) and the highest degradation rate (U max ) of 2.6413 g/Lday in the MB45 reactor. These results support SBMBBR’s potential for treating papermaking wastewater and addressing challenges in other industrial wastewater treatments.
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Advances in cellulose composite films for sustainable food packaging: a review

2. September 2025

Nicky Rahmana Putra

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This review analyzes recent research trends and material innovations by examining 174 peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Scopus database using the query (TITLE-ABS-KEY(cellulose) AND composite AND paper AND food AND packaging) , limited to original research articles. The majority of publications appeared between 2018 and 2024, reflecting a sharp rise in research activity during this period. Through bibliometric mapping of co-occurrence author keywords, seven thematic clusters were identified, with dominant focuses on biodegradable composites, barrier enhancement, antimicrobial functionality, and surface engineering. Materials such as cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), chitosan, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were frequently incorporated to improve mechanical strength (up to 84 MPa), water vapor transmission rate (reduction by 88 %), and thermal stability (up to 380 °C). Active films incorporating antioxidants and antimicrobial agents demonstrated effective shelf-life extension for fruits and meat products by 4–10 days. Despite these advances, key challenges remain in scalability, hydrophobicity, and regulatory compliance. This review provides a consolidated understanding of the design, functionality, and future potential of cellulose-based packaging, offering strategic insights for researchers and industry toward achieving sustainable and intelligent food packaging solutions.
Open Access
Alkali-extracted spruce bark residues for pulping and making of pulp sheets

15. August 2025

Marc Borrega, Marjo Määttänen, Ilkka Nurminen, Tarja Tamminen

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Spruce bark residues obtained after alkaline extraction of polyphenols were studied as raw material for pulping and making of pulp sheets. Kraft pulping of mixtures containing wood chips and 5 % or 20 % wt. bark residues produced unbleached pulps with higher screened yields and lower kappa number than wood pulps. During bleaching, the evolution of brightness along with kappa reduction followed a similar trend in all pulps, and bleached mixed pulps with ISO brightness >89 % could be obtained with somewhat lower intrinsic viscosity than wood pulps. The high content of calcium and other metal elements in spruce bark, which was partially reduced by the alkaline extraction, did not seem to impair the pulping and bleaching of the pulps. Sheets made from mixed pulps had rather similar optical and mechanical properties than sheets from wood pulps, and interestingly, sheets produced from mixed pulps with 20 % bark residues showed higher bulk as a function of internal bond strength, which may be exploited in packaging boards. Pulping of bark residues to produce mixed pulps would thus maximize the utilization of spruce bark streams after extracting the polyphenols, while increasing the pulp output in the mills.
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Applications of cationic bamboo fibers for the effective reinforcements of secondary fibers

14. August 2025

Tianhao Huang, Yunxia Wang, Yi Hou, Xiangxing Liu

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Bamboo, with its long fibers, fast growth, high abundance, and short harvesting cycle, is a promising alternative to traditional wood pulp, particularly in reinforcing secondary fibers during paper recycling. In this study, different from direct addition with poor combination concerning the negative charge in recycled pulp fibers, bamboo fibers were firstly modified with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC) to get cationic bamboo fibers, the characterizations by FTIR and N contents (maximum 1.05 %) classified that the hydroxyl groups in bamboo fibers were etherified effectively with greater zeta potentials (maximum −13.2 mV) in mixed pulps. The cationic modification of bamboo fibers resulted in a significant increase in the tensile and burst index of the secondary pulp, by 49.75 % and 61.54 % with only 10 %addition, respectively, as compared to the unmodified bamboo fibers, which was contributed to the mutual attraction between positively charged modified bamboo fibers and negatively charged secondary fibers, besides the original hydrogen bonding inside fibers, which leads to the enhancements for secondary fibers strength. These findings provide valuable insights into the effective applications of bamboo fibers for reinforcing recycled paper and offer promising solutions for the sustainable development of the paper industry.
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Response surface methodology optimization and anti-age properties in paper protection of carboxymethyl cellulose grafted with β –cyclodextrin

13. August 2025

Linquan Fang, Hua Li, Jun Gao

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In order to protect the paper, increase the mechanic performance and delay the aging of paper, CMC- β -CD was synthesized by carboxymethyl cellulose as substrate, epichlorohydrin (ECH) as crosslinking agent, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as catalyst and solvent, and water as medium, β -Cyclodextrin as grafter, through single factor experiment and response surface method, suitable conditions for the synthesis of CMC- β -CD was obtained; The structure of the synthesized CMC- β -CD was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and SEM and the mechanic properties were evaluated. The results showed that when the mass ratio of CMC- β -CD was 7:15, reaction temperature was 40 °C, and pH was 6.0, the optimum synthetic conditions was obtained. And good anti-age properties was also obtained by thermal aging tests. This paper provides some theoretical guidance for the protection of paper cultural relics.
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Inhibition of hornification in simao pine fibers and recycled paper with different beating degrees by microwave expansion treatment

13. August 2025

Zinuo Meng, Jizhen Huang, Liangliang An, Changrong Shi, Ya Zhang, Wanruo Lei, Yuxin Liu

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Pulp and paper industry, though vital, strains forest resources, highlighting the importance of alternative materials and waste paper recycling. This study explores how beating degree and microwave expansion affect Simao pine fibers and recycled paper. Beating damages fiber cell walls, enhancing water-related and fibrillation abilities, increasing fine fiber content and water retention, and boosting paper tensile strength (from 11.5 kN/m at 13°SR to 48.45 kN/m at 62°SR), but over-beating weakens fibers. More recycling cycles reduce mechanical strength (except tear index). Microwave expansion improves fiber water retention and fine fiber content; 13°SR un-beaten fibers see 49.34 % more fiber-fiber bonds. Recycled paper with microwave-expanded fibers has stronger bonds. For example, 24°SR microwave-expanded paper after three cycles has 39.83 % higher tensile strength than conventional paper, and secondary expansion makes 13°SR paper after three cycles 51.82 % stronger. The study, by reducing hornification via microwave puffing and improving fiber water retention, provides theoretical and technical support for better waste paper recycling efficiency.
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Tissue paper from cabbage leaf – waste paper mixtures

8. August 2025

Muthumari Perumal, Varalakshmi Varatharajan, Senthil kumaar Jayalakshmi Sellappan, Kiruthick Balu Kaliraj, Madhavan Seenivasan

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Wood has traditionally been the primary raw material for papermaking, but its use contributes to deforestation. Vegetable waste offers a sustainable alternative for the paper industry. This study explores the potential of cabbage waste combined with wastepaper in varying compositions (20–100 wt% at 20 wt% intervals) for paper production. The prepared tissue papers were evaluated for grammage, thickness, tensile strength, burst strength, moisture content, and FTIR analysis. Results showed that increasing cabbage leaf content led to a decrease in grammage and thickness indicating reduced fibre density and increased porosity. The optimum tensile strength (3.33 Nm/g) and burst strength (6 kPa m 2 /g) were observed at 60 wt% cabbage leaves, suggesting enhanced fibre bonding and structural integrity at this composition. Beyond this threshold, mechanical properties declined due to weaker fibre interactions. Moisture content increased up to 60 wt% (7.4 %), then decreased at higher cabbage leaf proportions, balancing water retention and porosity. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of cellulose fibers and polysaccharide functional groups in the prepared tissue paper. The obtained results showed that 60 wt% cabbage leaf mixtures provide an optimal combination of strength, flexibility, and moisture control, making them suitable for tissue paper applications.
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Production of packaging paper from Populus deltoides NSSC pulp reinforced with rice straw cellulose nanofibrils

6. August 2025

Saleh Ghahramani, Sahab Hedjazi, Saeed Mahdavi

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As a key raw material in fluting paper production, NSSC pulp from hardwoods is crucial in sustainable packaging applications. Hence, efforts are underway to increase the quality of this pulp. This study aims to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of papers produced from Populus deltoides NSSC pulp by reinforcing them with cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) derived from rice straw. The NSSC pulping of poplar wood was optimized, and then CNFs were added at 5, 10, and 15 % to refined NSSC pulp. Papers (127 g/m 2 ) were fabricated, and the impact of CNF reinforcement on the physical and mechanical properties of papers was evaluated. Results demonstrated that the addition of CNFs significantly improved tensile, burst, and tear indices, bending stiffness, and ring crush test (RCT) by 32.46 %, 19.85 %, 18.22 %, 78.76 % and 65.71 %, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of CNF increased density (30.88 %) and simultaneously reduced thickness (20 %) and bulk (23.23 %). Cobb test showed that water absorption decreased by 35.48 %, indicating better water resistance, while drainage time increased by 87.30 %, reflecting changes in fiber network structure. CNFs facilitate extensive hydrogen bonding, yielding a denser and more robust fiber network. This study highlights CNFs’ potential as an additive for reinforcing NSSC papers and improving packaging performance.
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Improving hydrophobicity and mechanical strength of rice straw paper using chitosan nanoparticles and beeswax coatings

29. Juli 2025

Durairaj Jansirani, Sundararajan Aswini, Sivagurusamy Subathira, Muthiah Indiraleka

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Hydrophobic paper bags are gaining popularity as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional packaging materials. This study focuses on the development of hydrophobic paper bags from rice straw, a major agricultural waste. The pulp was prepared by boiling the straw with sodium hydroxide, followed by grinding and molding into paper sheets. Chitosan nanoparticles (CNP) were synthesized via the ionic gelation method and applied as a coating on the rice straw paper. Beeswax was then used as a secondary coating. The resulting paper sheets were evaluated for thickness, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and hydrophobicity. The results showed that CNP and beeswax-coated papers were significantly thicker than their non-coated paper. Mechanical testing demonstrated improvements in tensile strength and elongation at break for the coated papers, with the highest values observed in CNP and beeswax-coated samples. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed the successful integration of chitosan and beeswax into the paper matrix. Scanning Electron Microscopy images revealed enhanced smoothness and binding capacity in the coated papers. Thermal analysis indicated that CNP and beeswax-coated papers exhibited superior thermal stability compared to non-coated papers. Hydrophobicity tests confirmed that the CNP and beeswax-coated papers had excellent water resistance and self-cleaning properties, while heat sensitivity tests showed that the wax coating remained stable up to 50 °C. However, neither the CNP-coated nor the CNP with beeswax-coated papers exhibited a zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . These findings suggest that paper coating with CNP and beeswax significantly improves its physical, mechanical properties and hydrophobic properties.
Open Access
Extended wet pressing at elevated temperature enables enhanced dewatering for tissue and linerboard

29. Juli 2025

Riku Pihko, Tuukka Verho, Jukka A. Ketoja

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The energy efficiency of papermaking critically depends on how much of the web moisture can be removed by wet pressing before the dryer section. Here, we explored an operation where the pressing was conducted over an extended period (70–540 ms) at an elevated temperature (approaching 100 °C). We found a large increase in the solids content for the tissue and board grades studied. The maximum measured solids content was 83 ± 2 % for tissue and 62 ± 2 % for linerboard, with approximately 5 % pt. (tissue) or 1.5 % pt. (linerboard) attributable to moisture evaporation after the pressure pulse based on our drying model. Both solids content levels were notably higher than those achieved with conventional pressure pulses. The results open up intriguing new directions for technological development towards a wet pressing concept that mimics the current metal-belt pilot lines but operates at higher web moisture levels. The high solids content achieved with extended wet pressing significantly reduces the amount of evaporated water. Thus, an ineffective Yankee + hood drying system with high temperature and energy loss would be no longer needed in tissue production. This would enable up to 90 % drying energy savings and a corresponding CO 2 emission reduction compared to existing pressing and drying technologies.
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Green innovations in natural paper ink: trends, applications, and future prospects

23. Mai 2025

Nicky Rahmana Putra, Bramantyo Airlangga

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Natural inks have emerged as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic inks in the paper printing industry due to their biodegradability, non-toxicity, and sustainability. Derived from renewable sources such as plants, algae, minerals, and fungi, these inks reduce environmental pollution and dependence on petroleum-based materials. This review highlights recent advancements in natural ink extraction, formulation, and application, emphasizing improvements in physical and chemical properties. Studies show natural indicator inks using Lycium ruthenicum anthocyanins achieve a sensitivity of 2178.57 μA mM −1  cm −2 with a rapid response time of 18 s. Cobalt blue pigments derived from dolomite and kaolin tailings demonstrate high color performance (L* = 37.63, a* = 10.68, b* = −54.87) and 94.96 % light absorption efficiency. Packaging papers containing triticale straw fibers reduced color variation (ΔE*) by 20 % after aging and rubbing tests. Plasma treatment and nano-chitosan coatings have improved color depth by up to 214 % and washing durability after 45 cycles. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in enhancing color fastness, water resistance, and scalability. This review outlines future research directions focused on advanced extraction, formulation optimization, and life cycle assessments to promote the industrial application of sustainable natural inks.

Journal Impact Factor	1.2	2024, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2025)
5-year Journal Impact Factor	1.3	2024, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2025)
Journal Citation Indicator	0.38	2024, Journal Citation Reports (Clarivate, 2025)
CiteScore	2.1	2024, Scopus (Elsevier B.V., 2025)
SCImago Journal Rank	0.293	2024, SJR (Scimago Lab, 2025; Data Source: Scopus)
Source Normalized Impact per Paper	0.565	2024, CWTS Journal Indicators (CWTS B.V., 2025; Data Source: Scopus)

Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal

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