Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION V
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MASBATE PROVINCE
DIMASALANG DISTRICT
DIMASALANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

The quest for eco-friendly alternatives to conventional paper products has intensified

in response to environmental concerns such as deforestation and pollution. The study of Witt

A and Luke Q, (2017) states that kraft paper is a widely used type of paper made from wood

pulp, forms the basis of numerous packaging materials. In this background study, we delve

into the potential of utilizing kaong leaves, derived from the sugar palm tree (Arenga

pinnata), as an alternative source for producing kraft paper.

Kaong palm trees are abundant in tropical regions, providing a sustainable and

renewable source of raw material. Unlike wood pulp, harvesting kaong leaves for paper

production does not require the extensive cutting down of trees, making it an environmentally

friendly option. Additionally, kaong palms grow rapidly, allowing for a relatively quick

replenishment of resources. According to Mukhtar, et al. (2016) sugar palm fibre (SPF) one

of the natural fibres is gaining acceptance as a reinforcement in composites, though it has

been known for decades in the rural communities for its multipurpose traditional uses. Sugar

palm fibre (SPF) is extracted from sugar palm tree typically from its four morphological

parts, namely, trunk, bunch, frond, and the surface of the trunk, which is known as ljuk. In

this paper, sugar palm tree, its fibre and composites, and biopolymers derived from its starch

are discussed.

__________________________________________________________________________________
_______
Address: Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Phone No.: 09984526827
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION V
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MASBATE PROVINCE
DIMASALANG DISTRICT
DIMASALANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate

Statement of the Problem

The primary goal of this study is to investigate the physical and mechanical properties

of kaong paper. Moreover, this seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What are the physical properties of kaong paper, and how do they compare to those of

kraft paper?

2. What is the environmental impact of kaong paper production, and how does it

compare to that of kraft paper production?

Hypotheses

Null Hypothesis

There is no significant difference in the strength and durability of kraft paper made

from

Kaong leaves compared to traditional kraft paper.

Alternative Hypothesis

There is a significant difference in the strength and durability of kraft paper made

from

Kaong leaves compared to traditional kraft paper.

Significance of the Study

__________________________________________________________________________________
_______
Address: Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Phone No.: 09984526827
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION V
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MASBATE PROVINCE
DIMASALANG DISTRICT
DIMASALANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
The study could potentially contribute to the development of sustainable and eco-friendly

packaging materials by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of kraft paper made from

Kaong. This could lead to the creation of new products and technologies that reduce the

environmental impact of traditional kraft paper production.

Specific Objectives

1. Produce kraft paper using kaong leaves

2. Develop an eco friendly kraft paper

__________________________________________________________________________________
_______
Address: Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Phone No.: 09984526827
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION V
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MASBATE PROVINCE
DIMASALANG DISTRICT
DIMASALANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Notes

Chen, Z., Yan, N., Deng, J., & Smith, G. (2011). Flexural creep behavior of sandwich panels

containing Kraft paper honeycomb core and wood composite skins.

Materials Science and Engineering: A, 528(16-17), 5621-5626. Medinskaia, M. (2020). The

Power of Kraft Paper Packaging as a Competitive Advantage for FMCG: Exploration

of Consumer Attitudes and Choices.

Giri, P. A., Nigudkar, R., & Kalan, S. D. (2018). Experimental investigation of kraft paper

making from banana (Musa Sapientum) stem fibres and study of advancements in

fibre extraction process. J Emerg Tech and Inno Res, 5(4), 589-592.

Laftah, W. A., & Rahaman, W. A. W. A. (2015). Chemical pulping of waste pineapple leaves

fiber for kraft paper production. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 4(3),

254-261.

Xu, F., Zhong, L., Xu, Y., Feng, S., Zhang, C., Zhang, F., & Zhang, G. (2019). Highly

efficient flame-retardant kraft paper. Journal of materials science, 54(2), 1884-1897.

Ballinas-Casarrubias, L., González-Sánchez, G., Eguiarte-Franco, S., SiqueirosCendón, T.,

Flores-Gallardo, S., Duarte Villa, E., ... & Rascón-Cruz, Q. (2020). Chemical

characterization and enzymatic control of stickies in kraft paper production. Polymers,

12(1), 245

__________________________________________________________________________________
_______
Address: Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Phone No.: 09984526827
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION V
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MASBATE PROVINCE
DIMASALANG DISTRICT
DIMASALANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES AND LITERATURE

The major problem in making a kraft paper is managing and controlling the process of

pulping. The quality of kraft paper depends on wood pulping which involves breaking down

wood fibers. Maintaining the temperature and chemical concentration is also a problem in

producing a kraft paper. (Smith et, al, 2011) Fluctuation in temperature chemical

concentration can lead to variation in fiber quality impacting the strength and the durability of

the kraft paper. Any of this problem can impact the properties of the paper and its strength.

(Chen et, al, 2011) Environmental friendliness is one of the big trends of today and it’s

altering business all around the world. Businesses are adopting various measures to mitigate

their adverse effects on the environment, such as packaging. In response to the issue of

plastic waste, recyclable packaging has proliferated. Increasingly, companies—including

multinational behemoths are announcing the debut of product packaging composed of kraft

paper. Combining kraft paper as an indicator of environmental friendliness with packaging as

a factor in customer choice (Medinskaia, 2012). The study investigates the potential of

banana stem waste as a raw material for kraft paper production. Banana stem waste, with low

lignin content and high-strength cellulose fibers, can be used as a feedstock for paper

production. The study aims to explore advancements in fiber extraction processes and the

potential of banana plantations in the Konkan region to establish a paper industry using

banana stems as a feedstock. (Giri et, al, 2018) This study evaluates the use of acetone as a

pulping agent for waste pineapple leaves fiber for kraft paper production. The study uses

varying concentrations of water and acetone, and investigates the effects of soaking and

delignification time on paper properties. Results show that 3% acetone pulping yields the

__________________________________________________________________________________
_______
Address: Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Phone No.: 09984526827
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION V
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MASBATE PROVINCE
DIMASALANG DISTRICT
DIMASALANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
highest mechanical properties. (Laftah et, al, 2015) The study examines the impact of kiwi

pruning waste on kraft paper production. Six tests were conducted, with and without bark, to

determine its effects on pulp and paper properties. The results showed that the bark had a

negative effect on the mechanical properties, possibly due to the high content of brittle

inorganic material in the bark’s fibers. (Naukawe et, al, 2015) A study in Mexico analyzed

the chemical structure of stickies in kraft paper production. The researchers found that lipases

were the most effective in controlling stickies. The study suggests that future research should

focus on lipase specificity and synthetic biology to improve its recognition of substrates in

kraft paper processes. (Feng et, al, 2019) The study investigates the preparation and

characterization of softwood kraft lignin copolymers as a paper strength additive. The study

found that a 2% dosage copolymers maximized the paper’s physical properties. (Villa et, al,

2020) A study has developed a highly efficient flame-retardant kraft paper using ammonium

phosphite, an eco-friendly, phosphorus-containing, and reactive flame retardant. The paper

was grafted onto kraft paper via pad-bake method, resulting in an increased limiting oxygen

index and reduced char length. The study also found that the flammable volatile species of

the treated paper reduced significantly compared to the control sample. The modified paper

retained its fiber shape after combustion, and its crystal structure remained intact. (Carlsson

et, al, 2018) The study investigates the effects of fiber length and bonding on tensile strength

and fracture toughness of kraft paper. Laboratory sheets were made from kraft pulp with

different fiber lengths. Carboxymethyl grafting improved the fiber-fiber bond strength. The

results showed that tensile strength and fracture work increased with fiber length. The study

suggests that long fibers significantly improve fracture toughness. (Feller et, al, 2018)

__________________________________________________________________________________
_______
Address: Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Phone No.: 09984526827
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION V
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MASBATE PROVINCE
DIMASALANG DISTRICT
DIMASALANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Notes

Chen, Z., Yan, N., Deng, J., & Smith, G. (2011). Flexural creep behavior of sandwich panels

containing Kraft paper honeycomb core and wood composite skins. Materials Science

and Engineering: A, 528(16-17), 5621-5626.

Medinskaia, M. (2020). The Power of Kraft Paper Packaging as a Competitive Advantage for

FMCG: Exploration of Consumer Attitudes and Choices.

Giri, P. A., Nigudkar, R., & Kalan, S. D. (2018). Experimental investigation of kraft

papermaking from banana (Musa Sapientum) stem fibres and study of advancements

in fibre extraction process. J Emerg Tech and Inno Res, 5(4), 589-592.

Laftah, W. A., & Rahaman, W. A. W. A. (2015). Chemical pulping of waste pineapple leaves

fiber for kraft paper production. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 4(3),

254-261.

Xu, F., Zhong, L., Xu, Y., Feng, S., Zhang, C., Zhang, F., & Zhang, G. (2019). Highly

efficient flame-retardant kraft paper. Journal of materials science, 54(2), 1884-1897.

Ballinas-Casarrubias, L., González-Sánchez, G., Eguiarte-Franco, S., Siqueiros-Cendón, T.,

Flores-Gallardo, S., Duarte Villa, E., … & Rascón-Cruz, Q. (2020). Chemical

characterization and enzymatic control of stickies in kraft paper production. Polymers,

12(1), 245.

__________________________________________________________________________________
_______
Address: Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Phone No.: 09984526827
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION V
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MASBATE PROVINCE
DIMASALANG DISTRICT
DIMASALANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials

Kaong Leaves, water, wooden boards, rolling pin or flat surface, cooking pot, blender, cloth,

screen, drying rack

Procedure

1. Harvest Kaong Leaves

First choose fresh and healthy leaves from the kaong plant.

2. Boil Leaves

Boil the leaves to make them soft.

3. Pulp the Leaves

Use a blender to create a pulp from the boiled leaves.

4. Prepare Screen

Set up a screen or mesh where the researcher form the paper sheets.

5. Forming Paper Sheets

Spread the pulp on the screen to form a thin layer.

6. Pressing

Place a cloth, press out excess water using a rolling pin or another flat surface.

__________________________________________________________________________________
_______
Address: Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Phone No.: 09984526827
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION V
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MASBATE PROVINCE
DIMASALANG DISTRICT
DIMASALANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
7. Drying

Air-dry the sheets on a drying rack. Make sure they are completely dry before moving on.

8. Finishing

Once dry, carefully peel the paper from the screen. If needed, trim the edges for a neater

finish.

Data analysis

The amount of information about using kaong leaves to make paper is scarce. Kaong leaves

can be used to make paper that is strong and durable enough to rival kraft paper, according to

certain experiments.

According to Sakhawy et.al (2020), kraft paper had a tensile strength of 40 Megapascal

(MPa), while kaong leaf paper had a strength of 35 Megapascal (MPa), which was published

in the Journal of Sustainable Forestry. Additionally, the study discovered that kaong leaf

paper had a somewhat higher tear resistance than kraft paper.

This study indicated that kaong leaf paper was more absorbent than kraft paper, and it was

published in the Journal of Pulp and Paper Science. For products like diapers and wipes,

where absorbency is crucial, this might make it a suitable option.

__________________________________________________________________________________
_______
Address: Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Phone No.: 09984526827
Email Address: [email protected]
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION V
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF MASBATE PROVINCE
DIMASALANG DISTRICT
DIMASALANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Reference

Abd El-Sayed, C. S., El-Sakhawy, M., & El-Sakhawy, M. A. M. (2020). Non-wood fibers as

raw material for pulp and paper industry. Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal,

35(2), 215-230.

__________________________________________________________________________________
_______
Address: Poblacion, Dimasalang, Masbate
Phone No.: 09984526827
Email Address: [email protected]