Kenaf
the clearcut alternative
Kenaf is a 4,000-year-old NEW crop with
roots in ancient Africa. A member of the hibiscus family (Hibiscanu
cannabinus L), it is related to cotton and okra, and grows well
in many parts of the U.S. It offers a way to make paper without cutting
trees.
Kenaf grows quickly, rising to heights of 12-14 feet in as little
as 4 to 5 months. U.S. Department of Agriculture studies show that
kenaf yields of 6 to 10 tons of dry fiber per acre per year are generally
3 to 5 times greater than the yield for southern pine trees, which
can take from 7 to 40 years to reach harvestable size.
The stalk of the kenaf plant consists of two distinct fiber types.
The outer fiber is called "blast" and comprises roughly 40% of the
stalk's dry weight. The refined "blast" fibers are similar to the
best softwood fibers used to make paper. The whiter, inner fiber is
called "core," and comprises 60% of the stalk's dry weight. These
refined fibers are comparable to hardwood tree fibers which are used
in a widening range of paper products. |
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Upon harvest, the whole kenaf plant
is processed in a mechanical fiber separator, similar to a cotton
gin. The separation of the two fibers allows for independent processing
and provides raw materials for a growing number of products including
paper, particle board, and animal bedding.
At the end of the growing season, the kenaf plant flowers. After blooming
the flower drops off, leaving a seed pod behind. In almost all parts
of the U.S. the seeds can never mature. Because of their African origin
they require an additional 60 to 90 days of frost-free conditions
to reach the point of germination. This means kenaf cannot run wild
across the country like a weed. This also presents some interesting
challenges for development to insure a consistent supply of seed for
next year's crop. Much research work is being done in the area of
seed development, with leading-edge companies like Vision Paper developing
innovative and environmentally sound solutions.
The MUB Copy Center currently has a limited supply of tree free paper available.
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