Fiber types

Softwood

Softwood fibers are long and strong, making them ideal for producing durable pulp with high tensile strength. They are commonly used in products that require resilience, such as packaging and tissue. Softwood pulp is often blended with hardwood to balance strength and smoothness in paper products. It is a key component in high-strength applications.

Pine (Pinus spp.): A widely used softwood known for its long, strong fibers, commonly used for high-strength paper products.

Spruce (Picea spp.): Offers flexible, durable fibers, making it suitable for high-strength paper and packaging.

Hemlock (Tsuga spp.): Provides medium-length fibers that are often used in pulp for newsprint and packaging applications.

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga spp.): Known for its strong fibers, it is commonly used in products requiring high tensile strength and durability.

Fir (Abies spp.): Produces soft, shorter fibers, often used in the production of paperboard and tissue products.

Larch (Larix spp.): Known for its dense, durable fibers, it is used for pulp where strength and toughness are required.

Bamboo (Bambusoideae spp.): Though technically a grass, its long fibers mimic softwoods and are valued for their high tensile strength.

Hardwood

Hardwood fibers are shorter and finer, providing smoothness, opacity, and bulk to paper products. They are essential for creating high-quality printing and writing papers. Hardwood pulp is often mixed with softwood to combine strength and surface quality. It plays a crucial role in achieving a refined finish in paper.

Aspen (Populus spp): Provides short fibers that enhance smoothness and bulk in paper.

Birch (Betula spp.): Produces pulp with excellent surface quality and opacity for high-end papers.

Beech (Fagus spp): Offers dense, fine fibers that improve the printability of paper products.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.): A fast-growing hardwood known for its high yield and uniform fiber properties.

Acacia (Acacia spp.): Short fibers contribute to smoothness and softness in paper products.

Poplar (Populus spp.): Provides fine fibers, ideal for blending to improve paper quality.

Willow (Salix spp.): Delivers flexible fibers suitable for lightweight paper products.

Recycled Fiber

Recycled fiber is derived from wastepaper and is widely used for producing cost-effective pulp. It is suitable for a variety of products, though its quality can decline after repeated recycling. Recycled fibers are commonly used in applications such as newsprint, packaging, and lower-grade paper products.

Recycled Fiber: Sourced from post-consumer and industrial paper waste, it reduces virgin fiber use and supports sustainability.

OCC (Old Corrugated Containers): Recycled cardboard boxes, providing strong and cost-effective fibers for packaging applications.

Agriculture Waste

Agriculture waste fibers are an alternative to wood-based pulp, providing another renewable source for paper and packaging materials. They are often used in products where high strength or smoothness is not critical. These fibers are commonly utilized in applications such as packaging and lower-grade paper products.

Wheat Straw (Triticum aestivum): A fiber source offering short fibers, commonly used for lightweight paper products.

Rice Straw (Oryza sativa): A fiber source for pulp, often used in the production of low-grade paper products.

Bagasse (Saccharum officinarum): Residue from sugarcane processing, used as a raw material for pulp production.

Jute (Corchorus spp.): Produces strong fibers suitable for packaging and specialty paper products.