Characterization of Nalita Wood (Trema orientalis) as a Source of Fiber for Papermaking (Part I): Anatomical, morphological and chemical properties

Nalita wood (Trema orientalis), one of the fastest growing woods in the world, is characterized anatomical, morphological and chemical properties at annual growth ring level in order to investigate as papermaking raw material. The proportion of fibers and vessel was increased with an increase of growth ring (from pith to bark). The fiber length of Nalita was increased with increasing growth ring, and an average fiber length was about 817 um. The average basic density of Nalita was about 0.38 g/cc. The total lignin & holocellulose in Nalita were increased and ash & alcohol-benzene extract decreased from pith to bark. These values were about 23.5 - 24.4 ％, 78.1 - 80.1 ％, 1.04 - 0.92 ％ and 2.1 - 1.8 ％, respectively. The xylan was the predominant sugar in the hemicellulose of Nalita.