Straw-based pulp making, which uses bio-residues as feedstock to produce pulp and paper, has a long history and has become a unique industrial system in pulp and paper industry in China. In the last decade, under severe... [ view full abstract ]
Straw-based pulp making, which uses bio-residues as feedstock to produce pulp and paper, has a long history and has become a unique industrial system in pulp and paper industry in China. In the last decade, under severe environmental protection pressure, the intrinsic environmental emissions in straw-based pulp making process and competition with wood and recycled pulp have dramatically changed the situation of straw-based pulp industry, with majority of straw-based pulp making companies shut down. However, some straw-based pulp making companies stand out in the bankrupt trend through technology improvement and industrial system update. Among these companies, Tranlin Group, which utilizes wheat straw as raw material to produce unbleached pulp and fertilizers, is a typical representative. The cellulose component in the wheat straw is converted into pulp while hemicellulose and lignin components in the black liquor are converted into fertilizers that go back to the agriculture sector. The circular economy based “Tranlin Pattern” is formed in Tranlin Group. In doing so, not only environmental compliance is reached, but other environmental benefits are achieved, with spillover of carbon emission reduction being one of them.
“Tranlin Pattern” provides a new sight and perspective for pulp making and wheat straw utilization. As a big country for wheat plantation, the utilization of abundant wheat straw has been a big concern in China. Compared to conventional treatment methods, such as open burning and straw turnover, the application of “Tranlin Pattern” could bring multiple environmental benefits, including carbon emission reduction, particle matter emission reduction, biodiversity protection etc. Therefore, we project the potential of “Tranlin Pattern” application on wheat straw in different areas in China and estimate the environmental benefits associated with the application. Based on the results, we draw the environmental emissions reduction potential map of straw-based pulp making deploying “Tranlin Pattern”. The research provides new insight into straw-based pulp making and bio-residues utilization pattern.
• Industrial ecology in developing countries , • Circular economy , • Sustainable consumption and production
