Abstract
Kudzu vine (Pueraria lobata) is a perennial plant and spreads all around in South Korea. Recently the use of leaves, stems and roots of kudzu vine has been investigated in many fields. However, the research on kudzu fibers has not been performed in korean pulp and paper industry. As the stems and roots of kudzu were estimated to contain cellulosic fibers, the possibility of producing a raw material from kudzu fibers in pulp and paper mills was investigated in this study. The stems and roots of kudzu were collected in woods, and then the chemical composition and ash contents was measured. To acquire kudzu pulp, kraft pulping and bleaching of kudzu roots were carried out sequently. After making kudzu pulp, freeness and fiber length were measured, and handsheets was also prepared with kudzu pulp and the properties of handsheets were determined. Consequently, kudzu fibers have lower holocellulose contents than wood fibers and other non-wood fibers. Average fiber length is shorter than that of Sw-BKP, but shows the same level as that of Hw-BKP. The handsheet made from kudzu pulp shows the bulkier structure than those made from Hw-BKP and Sw-BKP.
