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Journal articles
Effects of biopolymer coatings on paper permeability and capillarity for paper-based rapid diagnostic test devices, TAPPI Journal September 2025
ABSTRACT: Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) devices are widely used for diagnostics due to their affordability, portability, and user-friendliness. However, conventional assays typically rely on nitrocellulose membranes and plastic casings. These materials raise environmental concerns due to their non-renewable nature, energy-intensive production methods, and poor biodegradability. This study explores the development of fully bio-based RDT substrates using a sustainable alternative: softwoodderived microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and chitosan as surface modifiers to improve paper properties and enhance RDT sustainability. Cotton filter paper substrates were coated with different biopolymer formulations using a manual blade coater: bleached MFC (BMFC), lignin-containing MFC (LMFC), BMFC combined with CNC, LMFC combined with CNC, and chitosan. Evaluation of the most relevant physical properties concerning RDT performance was conducted, including wetting, water retention value, air permeability, capillary flow rate, and surface morphology. Results showed that biopolymer- based coatings can effectively modify surface properties by reducing pore size and tuning hydrophilicity, while maintaining the renewable and bio-based characteristics of the substrate. The LMFC-coated paper exhibited the best overall performance among all formulations, reducing flow time by 50% (3.00 mm/s vs. 1.5 mm/s) compared to the uncoated paper, yet preserving high water retention. The BMFC+CNC coating also significantly improved flow rate, showing a 36.7% reduction (2.37 mm/s vs. 1.5 mm/s), and enhanced porosity uniformity. In contrast, the flow rate of chitosan-coated paper decreased by over 5,000% (0.027 mm/s), reflecting its strong barrier properties and hydrophobic surface (highest contact angle: 91.4°). These findings suggest that MFC-based coatings are promising ecofriendly alternatives to nitrocellulose, offering optimized capillary transport and structural adaptability. This paves the way for the development of sustainable, high-performance, rapid diagnostic tests.
Journal articles
Toward environmental resilience in pulp and paper manufacturing: Water consumption and carbon dioxide emission reductions, TAPPI Journal September 2025
ABSTRACT: Pulp and paper manufacturing is a water- and energy-intensive industrial sector, necessitating improvement of its operational efficiency, as well as reduction of emissions to the maximum extent possible. This review focuses on the reduction of water consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that originate in the pulp and paper industry (PPI). First, process simulation and optimization techniques used for water consumption reduction are reviewed. Then, techno-economic analyses of solvent-based CO2 capture from PPI are discussed. Additionally, key actions are proposed for enhancing water consumption reduction and CO2 capture in PPI.
Journal articles
Water and grease resistance of paperboard coated with long chain cellulose fatty acid esters using electrostatic powder coating, TAPPI Journal April 2026
ABSTRACT: Fiber-based materials used for foodservice, takeaway, and other packaging applications must typically provide water and grease resistance. Simultaneously, there is growing interest towards bio-based and renewable barrier coatings. In this study we applied thermoplastic long chain fatty acid cellulose esters onto paperboard using electrostatic powder coating to create barrier properties of interest. Electrostatic powder coating provides a water-free process to tackle moisture-induced quality issues and to provide an even coating layer. Cellulose octanoate and palmitate esters were produced in pilot scale. These were ground into fine particles using liquid nitrogen and applied onto paperboard sheets using an electrostatic powder gun. The loosely packed coatings were fixed and fused onto the paperboard by hot pressing. We characterized the coated sheets for coating thickness, contact angles with water, water absorption, grease resistance (KIT), and olive oil barrier. Two commercial polyethylene powders were used as references. Our results indicated that the long chain cellulose fatty acid ester coatings were thermoplastic and hydrophobic with contact angles above 100°. Water absorption was similar to the reference coatings. While grease resistance was lower than with the references, the cellulose ester coatings slowed down diffusion of olive oil through the paperboard. Cellulose octanoate ester with a lower melt viscosity already provided smooth coatings after the initial hot pressing step, while in most cases, the second post hot pressing step further improved the barrier properties.
Journal articles
Editorial: Advancing barrier science and protective materials: The 2025 winners of TAPPI Journal Best Research Paper Award and Honghi Tran Prize, TAPPI Journal April 2026
At the end of each year, the TAPPI Journal Editorial Board Members nominate papers for consideration as recipient of the Best Research Paper and Honghi Tran Prize from that year, looking for outstanding contributions that push the science and engineering boundaries of fiber-based materials. For 2025, the Board nominated 10 papers and evaluated each nomination in terms of scientific merit, innovation, creativity, and clarity. After voting on the papers earlier this year, the Editorial Board chose two co-winning papers for this distinct honor.
Journal articles
Simplified modeling of a complete rotary lime kiln at a pulp mill, TAPPI Journal February 2026
ABSTRACT: Rotary lime kilns are essential and complex components in pulp mills using the kraft process. They are primarily used to produce lime (CaO), which is then employed to make white liquor, the reagent used to separate wood fibers. To understand and improve the performance of the kiln, modeling its behavior is essential. However, the kiln operates through a complex combination of thermal and chemical phenomena. That is why a simplified approach was used to tackle this challenge. A zero/one-dimensional steady-state analysis was performed based on first principles to simplify the modeling process and reduce the need for experimental data. Additional assumptions, such as steady-state operation and the absence of a refractory lining, were introduced to further simplify the model so that it can be used for daily analysis. Moreover, the auxiliary equipment of the plant, such as the intercooler and preheat cyclone, is also modeled. The final model was validated using data from the literature and a two-month analysis of experimental measure-ments from the Burgo Ardennes lime kiln in Virton, Belgium. It shows good agreement with the available data, with a 6% deviation for the adiabatic flame temperature and a 17% average error in predicting the kiln shell outside temperature. For the fuel and lime flow rate predictions, also validated over the same two-month period, the errors were -6.6% and 0.6%, respectively.
Journal articles
Physico-mechanical and ethylene scavenging properties of active packaging from Bambusa fibers modified with TiO2 /Cu2O composite, TAPPI Journal February 2026
ABSTRACT: The physico-mechanical and ethylene scavenging properties of active packaging consisting of paper prepared from bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) fibers loaded with varying concentrations of nano titanium dioxide/cuprous oxide (TiO2/Cu2O) composite was investigated for its ability to delay ripening of Philippine climacteric fruits. Tests of paper containing 1% to 5% TiO2/Cu2O showed no or limited negative impact on its physical, optical, and mechanical properties. Images from a field emission scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) showed dispersion and agglomeration of TiO2/Cu2O nanoparticles on the paper surface. The percent weight of titanium and copper increased with increasing metal oxide composite concentration used in this study. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy indicated small shifts in band intensity at 3330 cm-1 and 1100 cm-1 in the hydroxyl (O-H) and C-O regions, respectively, suggesting possible chemical or physical interactions between the metal oxide and paper. Contact angle measurement suggest- ed that TiO2/Cu2O nanoparticles may have imparted paper hydrophobicity at 3% & 5% concentration, possibly through increased microscale roughness. The ethylene scavenging experiment indicated that there was a significant delay in the ripening process of mango and tomato when packed in paper doped with 3% and 5% TiO2/Cu2O. The fruits were greener with a firmer texture compared with untreated control after three days of storage under natural light and ambient condition. The preliminary results suggested that 3% &5% TiO2/Cu2O active packaging modification can remove ethylene from the fruit's storage environment, extending shelf life and maintain quality for three days. This simple technique could have potential economic benefits for the fruit industry by directly reducing post-harvest waste, and the delayed ripening could provide flexibility in supply chain management.
Journal articles
Development of a packaging test method, TAPPI Journal February 2026
ABSTRACT: Innovation in packaging design will be facilitated by a simple test method to indicate whether a product is compatible with paper recycling. Three laboratories cooperated on the development of a method and used it on linerboard, coated paperboard, wet-strength paperboard, and white copy paper. This test method includes pulping and screening. The data presented here illustrate the factors affecting the results of a bench-scale test. Our observations show that a bench-scale test can give reproducible results for yield, < 5%. We also present an approach to contaminant assessment based on current published test methods. A specification with a lower limit on yield of 70% and a contaminant level of less than 5,000 particles/kg is proposed.
Journal articles
Editorial: Changing of the guard: Dr. Arthur Ragauskas assumes TAPPI Journal editor-in-chief role, TAPPI Journal January 2026
TAPPI is pleased to announce that Dr. Arthur J. Ragauskas has assumed the editor-in-chief role for TAPPI Journal. Ragauskas, who is a professor at University of Tennessee (UT) in Knoxville, TN, has been a member of the TAPPI Journal Editorial Board since 2011 and is a TAPPI Fellow, as well as recipient of the TAPPI Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award, among his many accomplishments. As a member of the Editorial Board, Ragauskas has curated eight special issues on a range of topics, including nanocellulose, lignocellulose, lignin valorization, and the forest biorefinery.
Journal articles
Full-scale operation of a membrane-based black liquor concentrator, TAPPI Journal January 2026
ABSTRACT: For years, black liquor concentration by reverse osmosis has been an aspiration for reducing mill energy consumption and costs. Building on a 2023 report of an 81% reduction in the energy intensity for concentrating black liquor using its membrane platform at the pilot scale, this paper reports on the fabrication, installation, startup, and operation of the world’s first full-scale membrane-based black liquor concentration system at the International Paper Grande Prairie mill in Canada. The majority of the membrane modules in this system have reliably exceeded permeability expectations by more than 50%. In addition to strong membrane performance, the system has been a significant source of learnings for material specifications and system design. Incorporating these learnings and comparing to typical multiple effect evaporators, the system demonstrates a 43% reduction in capital cost for the same capacity, a 30% reduction in the lifetime cost of removing water from black liquor, and an 86% reduction in energy use. The impact on washer optimization was also considered, and net energy and chemical costs were reduced by US$3.8 and US$6.8/a.d. metric ton for a typical brown and bleach mill, respectively, when incorporating this technology. Completed in less than 12 months, the facility has demonstrated successful black liquor concentration at the 500 gpm scale with monthly uptime as high as 96%.
Journal articles
Energy and emission implications of optimized white liquor causticity, TAPPI Journal January 2026
ABSTRACT: Optimizing the causticizing plant offers significant opportunities for energy and emissions savings in kraft mills by minimizing the chemical and water deadload introduced into the recovery cycle via white liquor. Modern control strategies utilize both feedforward and feedback loops to manage causticity, enabling more aggressive targets closer to equilibrium levels. This paper evaluates the benefits of optimizing white liquor chemistry through a detailed CADSIM Plus simulation model, replicating the chemistry of a Canadian bleached kraft mill that adopted an automated causticizing control system. The control system increased causticity from 77.0% to 82.3% at a fixed total titratable alkali (TTA) of 126.5 grams of sodium dioxide per liter (gNa2O/L). Modeling this chemistry change indicated a 1.5 metric tons per hour (t/hr) reduction in evaporator steam demand and a 2.8% increase in black liquor higher heating value. Consequently, the improved heating value resulted in a 1.5% rise in recovery boiler steam production and a 5.3% reduction in biomass energy consumption in power boilers, leading to a 4.8% decrease in biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Additionally, reducing the inorganic and water deadload throughout the recovery cycle may support higher as-fired dry solids targets, enhancing recovery boiler energy efficiency by lowering the water evaporation requirement during black liquor combustion. However, implementing a causticizing control system requires careful assessment of potential lime kiln bottlenecks, as increased causticity demands may affect kiln operations depending on broader mill conditions. Overall, an automated causticizing control system enhances process efficiency, reduces energy consumption and emissions, and positions kraft mills for improved productivity and longterm sustainability.