The Properties of Paper Sheets from Pulp Prepared from Corn Husk and OCC Pulp

The strength and performance of recycled paper decline with repeated recycling due to fibre deterioration and significant fibre loss during the manufacturing process. To address this challenge, this study examines the potential of corn husk pulp as a supplementary fibre to reinforce Old Corrugated Container (OCC) pulp. Laboratory hand sheets were prepared by blending OCC with corn husk in proportions ranging from 0 to 100 wt.%. A 100% OCC sheet served as the reference, while a 100% corn husk sheet provided a benchmark for alternative use. Mechanical testing showed that tensile and burst indices of blended sheets remained moderate; however, compressive properties improved markedly. Ring Crush Test (RCT) values increased steadily with husk addition, from ~0.3 kN/m for pure OCC to ~0.8 kN/m for 100% husk, while Concora Medium Test (CMT) strength peaked at 163 N for a 40/60 blend compared to ~36 N for OCC. Overall, corn husk pulp emerges as a cost-effective, sustainable reinforcement fibre that enhances recycled paper quality and reduces dependence on virgin pulp.