Biodegradable polymers from pulp and paper wastewater streams

摘要

There has been an increasing interest over recent years in the use of waste streams from forestry-based industrial processing for the production of value-added products. This paper reviews the use of a variety of such waste streams for the synthesis ofpolyhydroxyalkanoatebiopolymers. INTRODUCTION The forestry and pulp and paper industries are facing many challenges globally. The market is increasingly driven by the need for sustainable products and practices, while at the same time these industries need to improve margins and diversify product lines while continuing to produce their staple products [1]. Good economic management also requires the efficient use of carbon inputs, with carbon losses occurring at various locations within a pulp mill, including losses as volatile organics and in the wastewater. One approach for addressing these challenges is the forest biorefinery. In this model, traditional waste streams are used to make additional products in a profitable and environmentally sustainable manner [1].