The Hindu Business Line : IJSG gets set to promote jute pulp

APPROXIMATELY four billion trees which are cut down every year by the global paper producing industry can now be saved because an alternative to tree pulp has been successfully developed.

After three years of extensive research carried out at the best laboratories spread all over the world, the Dhaka-based based International Jute Study Group (IJSG) has developed jute stem and its fibre as an alternative to tree pulp for paper production.

In May this year, IJSG (earlier known as International Jute Organisation) will conduct a two-day international workshop in Dhaka for the dissemination of the results and technologies developed.

An announcement on the IJSG Web site (www.jute.org) states that the workshop will aim "to transfer these technologies to prospective entrepreneurs."

Kenaf, another plant like jute, can also be used for the same purpose. "Both these plants contain cellulose and, hence, either of these two can be used for producing paper pulp. Laboratory experiments have found it to be an excellent alternative to tree-pulp," sources in IJSG said.

It may be noted that work on this project started way back in January 2001 by International Jute Organisation (IJO). Thereafter, the project lost its way because IJO fell apart. It was reconstructed and IJSG came into existence.

The project was implemented by the United National Industrial Development Organisation with the technical support from Agro-Technical Research Institute of The Netherlands, Centre Technique du Papier in France, Central Pulp and Paper Research Institute of India, the Institute of Bast Fibre Crops and Yuanjian Mills in China, Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation and Bangladesh Jute Research Institute.

IJSG supervised the project which was funded by the CFC of French Government and EX Compex Fund of Bangladesh.

Research scientists working on this project said pulp produced from jute or kenaf is a better alternative to tree pulp for two reasons. First, it reduces the use of chemicals like chlorine. Second, energy consumption is also low because of the low lignin content in jute.

"The increasing demand for paper pulp has also increased the rate of deforestation. The restoration of forest resources is difficult because of the relatively long growing cycle of trees. Jute or kenaf are annually renewable resources of biomass. It needs 120-180 days to grow," scientists explained.

It is quite some time now that the international paper industry is being threatened by the dwindling forest cover. Even earlier jute industry made attempts to produce jute pulp. Though scientifically it was possible the cost factor was not feasible.

IJSG sources said that this hurdle has been crossed. "We feel that the technologies developed by us are commercially feasible and in the long run jute or kenaf will be the ultimate raw material for paper pulp," sources added.