Novel nonwood fiber sources to offset forest degradation and contribute toenvironmental preservation

This paper discusses the global use of nonwood fibers in the pulp and paper industry, focusing on research carried out at the Faculty of Forestry, Uni versity of Toronto. The use of nonwood fiber can reduce the global demand o n forests, which will contribute to ecosystem health and preserve the herit age of this resource. Growing nonwoods as a cash crop will also contribute to the economy of local Farmers. The morphology and chemistry of nonwoods i n relation to pulp and paper properties are discussed in detail, with parti cular attention given to the chemistry of nonwood lignin and extractives in comparison to wood.