Suitability of Acacia Pulp for Wood Free Coating Base Papers

The suitability of bleached acacia (Acacia mangium) kraft pulp for making wood free coating (WFC) base paper was studied in laboratory. Despite the slow strength development in refining, results indicate that acacia is an excellent raw material for WFC base paper. Compared to Nordic birch and Iberian eucalyptus pulps, it produces paper with excellent formation and smoothness (before calendering), outstanding bulk and bending stiffness, high light scattering coefficient, good tear strength, acceptable porosity and oil absorbency.