A Review Article Production of Paper from Banana Steam

Banana stem is an abundantly available agricultural residue generated after fruit harvesting and is largely treated as waste, with limited domestic use. Owing to its high lignocellulosic content, banana stem represents a promising alternative raw material for pulp and paper production. In this study, paper is produced from banana stem fibers using a chemical pulping process. The stem is first cut into small pieces and subjected to digestion under high pressure, followed by treatment with alkaline chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and sodium sulphide to separate cellulose from lignin. The removal of lignin facilitates fiber softening and pulp formation. The obtained pulp is further processed to manufacture different grades of paper, including tissue paper, blotting paper, and tracing paper. The process is found to be economically viable due to the low cost and easy availability of raw materials. Additionally, energy consumption is minimized by employing solar energy for the drying of paper sheets. The utilization of banana stem for paper production not only reduces agricultural waste but also contributes to sustainable and eco-friendly paper manufacturing practices.