Production of handmade paper from mango endocarps.

Abstract

The most source of materials for paper are hard woods, followed by softwoods but due to environmental factors and high rates of deforestation in search. for raw materials to make paper, there has been need for alternative non-wood sources which include on purpose crops grown for paper like hemp, agricultural residues like maize stalks, industrial residues like cotton linters, mango endocarps, and, naturally occurring un cultivated crops like papyrus bamboo. (Boston, 1769) There has been high usage of plastic bags for packaging but they have often lead to adverse effects like non biodegrable and many others (Chris Woodford., 2007) and thus there has been need to look for alternative packaging materials and these can be produced from industrial residues like mango endocarps. The purpose of this project has been conversion of wastes. that is mango endocarps into useful products like handmade paper which would help in phasing out these plastic bags that have been used for packaging. In order to achieve these various methodologies have been used including collection of raw materials, crushing of raw materials fibre cooking beating, pressing, calendering sizing, drying, cutting and many others. Various materials have been used including Sodium hydroxide (to delignity the mango endocarps), Alum (to raise the pH to slightly acidic for the work of rosin), Starch (Binder), Rosin (for creating bonds and crosslinks of fibres, promoting cohesion in the pulp/paper, AKD-Alkyl. Ketene Dimer (sizing agent), Anthraquinöne as an additive for protecting cellulose content, nylon mesh and clip, mixer\beater, handmade vat. And many Others (Átuheire 2012). Once all these methodologies are met an eco-friendly handmade paper will be produced which will serve as a perfect replacement of PP and PE plastic bags and the project has been aimed at majorly improving incomes-to mango producing countries which will be as a result of value. added to mangoes and thus increasing the price. The project will help in improving the environmental situation by reducing various problems like global warming.