The effect of high dosage of starch in Sesbania grandiflora pulp in improving the paper properties

Currently pulp and paper industry are facing challenges from strict environmental law enforcement and limitation of resources. New pulpwood resources and biochemical are required to supply growing demand for paper and paper products without causing too many pollutions. Sesbania grandiflora commonly known as Agathi is a fast growing pulpwood and starch is a common dry strength additive and sizing agent. This paper aims to study the effect of different consistency of starch on the handsheets made from Sesbania grandiflora pulp. The kraft pulp pulped from S.grandiflora were added with starch of 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% starch consistency based on the pulp weight. 0% served as blank test. The physical and mechanical properties, water absorbency and pulp freeness were evaluated according to TAPPI standard. The mechanical properties were enhanced at 8% starch consistency but exhibit a drop in 6%. The water absorbency and freeness showed hydrophilic properties with increasing starch consistency. In conclusion, certain mechanical properties in Sesbania grandiflora are able to improve using starch however, starch are not suitable to hinder water absorptiveness and lowering the drainage rate of Sesbania grandiflora pulp.