Kraft pulping and papermaking properties of Larix Sibirica pulpwood samples and comparison with those of Pinus Radiata

Larix sibirica Ledeb. (Siberian larch) pulplogs were assessed for their approximate age, and their methanol and aqueous extractives content. Kraft pulping properties were assessed using whole-log and slabwood chip samples. The slabwood chips gave pulp in somewhat higher yield than pulp from whole-log material, but the papermaking properties of their pulps were generally similar. The L. sibirica samples examined had rather low density for the species, and their papermaking properties reflected this. Kraft pulps were obtained from the L. sibirica samples in about 2% lower yield than from Pinus radiata D. Don, and had papermaking properties similar to those of P. radiata corewood (top log) pulps. They would be suitable for packaging rather than printing grades.