Valorization of Fique Lignocellulosic Residues for Sustainable Craft Paper Production

Nicolás Jaramillo, Marlon A. Osorio, Cristina I. Castro, María C. Restrepo, Mariluz Betancur, Adrian Ríos and Germán C. Quintana ()
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Nicolás Jaramillo: Pulp and Paper Research Group, School of Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Circular 1 # 70-01, Medellín 050031, Colombia
Marlon A. Osorio: New Materials Research Group, School of Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Circular 1 # 70-01, Medellín 050031, Colombia
Cristina I. Castro: New Materials Research Group, School of Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Circular 1 # 70-01, Medellín 050031, Colombia
María C. Restrepo: New Materials Research Group, School of Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Circular 1 # 70-01, Medellín 050031, Colombia
Mariluz Betancur: Environmental Research Group, School of Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Circular 1 # 70-01, Medellín 050031, Colombia
Adrian Ríos: Environmental Research Group, School of Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Circular 1 # 70-01, Medellín 050031, Colombia
Germán C. Quintana: Pulp and Paper Research Group, School of Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Circular 1 # 70-01, Medellín 050031, Colombia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-25

Abstract: This paper presents the development of handmade paper from fique residues, evaluating its technical and environmental viability through a scientific approach aimed at supporting low-income rural communities. The residues were characterized to assess their suitability for papermaking, with fiber crystallinity and chemical structure analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Pulps were produced from fique fibers and a 30:70 fique fiber–bagasse blend using a chemical-free mechanical pulping process, designed for easy implementation in rural settings. The effects of dyeing on pulp performance were also examined, and environmental impacts were assessed through a Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA). The average fiber length, diameter, and lumen of fique fibers were 1.83 mm, 26.5 μm, and 17.4 μm, respectively. Handsheets from fique pulp achieved a tensile index of 13.0 N·m/g and a burst index of 1.42 kPa·m 2 /g, while the fique fiber–bagasse blend reached 11.09 N·m/g and 1.05 kPa·m 2 /g. The corresponding sheet densities were 0.316 and 0.380 g/cm 3 . The dyeing process led to a reduction in the mechanical strength of the handmade paper. Environmental analysis indicated that fique tow fiber has a more favorable impact profile than other non-wood alternatives, such as aquatic weed fiber. Compared to results from similar studies, fique demonstrates strong potential as a high-quality, sustainable raw material for artisanal papermaking. These findings support its application in decentralized, eco-friendly production systems, contributing to rural development and circular economy strategies.

Keywords: handmade paper; agricultural waste; fique fiber; pulping; paper properties; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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