Pulp is a raw material obtained from the processing of plant fibers, most commonly from wood, serving as a basic material in the production of paper, cardboard, and other cellulose-based products. Pulp is produced through chemical, mechanical, or semi-chemical processes, where cellulose is separated from other components of the wood, such as lignin and resins.
Pulp production process:
- Chemical production: This involves cooking wood chips in chemicals (e.g., sulfate or sulfite processes), which remove lignin and leave behind pure cellulose.
- Mechanical production: The wood is ground into fine fibers, but lignin is not removed, resulting in a coarser and lower-quality product.
- Semi-chemical process: A combination of chemical and mechanical processes, where the wood is partially chemically treated and then mechanically ground.
