Utilization of Waste Cellulose Raw Material for Making Paper Pulp

Abstract

Paper consumption in Indonesia in 2003 reached 5.31 million tons, in 2004 the need for paper consumption reached 5.40 million tons. Meanwhile, in 2005, paper consumption reached 5.61 million tons and in 2009 it reached 7.50 million tons, and this figure continues to increase by 3% - 4% every year. The increase in consumption and the paper industry in Indonesia will be accompanied by an increase in the need for the main raw material for pulp and paper, namely wood so that environmental damage will occur. Alternative materials other than wood which contain cellulose and can be used for pulp and paper manufacture are Empty Palm Fruit Bunches (EFB) and coconut fiber. Mixed fiber paper or often called composite paper, is paper made from a mixture of two or more kinds of paper pulp with other materials. Composite paper can be made using the pulp of EFB mixed with coconut fiber using a banana peel binder. This study aims to determine the mixture of EFB pulp, coconut coir pulp, and banana peel binder so that it can be obtained mixed fiber paper with tear resistance and tensile strength which is most suitable to be applied as an alternative to packaging paper. Based on the pulp produced from research that has been carried out, the cellulose content ranged from 46,4316% until 48,4993%, and hemicellulose ranged between 18,2699% until 20,7593%. With a high cellulose content, samples of EFB raw materials and coconut fiber can be used as raw materials for making paper.