Bamboo, Considered as a Paper-making Material / With remarks upon its cultivation and treatment. Supplemented by a consideration of the present position of the paper trade in relation to the supply of raw material.

by Thomas Routledge

NEW MATERIALS.

Fortunately for the Paper-trade, and its supply of materials in the future, two raw fibrous substances exist, to which I now desire to direct special attention, as I believe it would be difficult, if not impossible, to meet with any others to compare with them in the essential points, of reliable supply at extremely low cost combined with quality.

With this conviction I have devoted much attention to perfecting a simple and economical system of treating them, in order to produce a fibrous "Paper-Stock," considering that to be the most practicable and best form in which they can be introduced into the Market.

One of these materials, "Megasse," or "Begasse," fulfils the main conditions which would be looked for by the Paper-manufacturer, inasmuch as vast quantities are available at a low cost, and owing to the peculiarity of its production being the necessary by-product of a large and widely spread staple industry—Sugar—not subject to the ordinary irregularity of supply.

"Megasse," the fibrous residue of the Sugar-Cane (after it has been crushed to extract the juice), properly prepared, affords a strong, nervous fibre, or "Fibrous Stock," which bleaches well, and possesses all the characteristics of a first-class Paper-making material.

"Megasse" however, as it comes from the crushing rolls, and even when dried after crushing, is so exceedingly bulky, that (being produced almost exclusively in tropical countries) the cost of carriage added to its great liability to damage from fermentation, precludes the possibility of its being imported to England in its crude state; moreover, the true fibrous portion of "Megasse" does not amount to more than 40 per cent., the remainder being constituted of Cellulose, combined with glutenous and other compounds, which of themselves are useless for Paper-making, and which consequently must be separated from the residuary or ultimate fibre.

It follows, therefore, that "Megasse" must be converted into a Fibrous Stock at, or near, the Sugar factory where it is produced, then dried, and put up in hydraulic-pressed bales for economical transport.

The present value of "Megasse" (in its crude condition as produced) is relatively to that of fuel, as, unless it is returned to the soil as manure (which is the practice in some countries), it is employed in the Sugar factories, for raising steam, for motive power, and for evaporating the Cane juice.

As the value of "Megasse" thus considered is very low, factories established in connection with existing sugar mills for the manufacture of "Paper-Stock," where sufficient quantities of so bulky a material could be concentrated, and where other favourable conditions exist (of which an abundant supply of water is an essential), would yield a large profit to the planter or sugar manufacturer, as the "Paper-Stock" he would produce would meet with a ready sale at prices at least equivalent to "Esparto," reduced to the same condition.

Having made "Paper-Stock," and "Paper" of good quality from "Megasse," and determined the profitable result of such a manufacture beyond dispute, I look forward at no very distant date to see the Paper-trade of this country receiving, at least, a portion of its raw material from some of our own Colonies and Dependencies (in most of which Sugar is produced), instead of, as now, being entirely dependent on Foreign Countries for supply.

It is estimated that the consumption of sugar in England amounts annually to upwards of 800,000 tons, or about 57 lb. per head of the population; and as it may be assumed that for each ton of sugar 1 ton of "Megasse" at least is produced, it will be seen that a large reserve of Fibrous Material is available, awaiting the enterprise of either the Sugar or the Paper-manufacturer or a combination of both.

It is now my object to show to the Two parties mainly interested, the Producer and the Consumer, how closely their interests are coincident, and how both would be benefited by the creation and development of a new Industry.

The Producer, the Sugar-manufacturer, is, in point of fact suffering from a similar competition to that experienced by the Paper-manufacturer in 1861—handicapped by the drawback allowed on the export of French, and Belgian, Beet-root Sugar, with which he is unable to compete, in the same manner as the Paper-maker suffered from the introduction of French, and Belgian, Paper—free, while the Raw Material—Rags, paid a heavy export duty.

The Consumer, the Paper-manufacturer, is suffering from a lack of suitable material, which the Producer is able to supply, and by so supplying and utilizing a by-product, hitherto of little value to him, places himself in a position to meet his competitors on equal, if not better terms in the market.

It is true, that this (to him) new system of utilizing what may now be termed a waste, or by-product, would involve the outlay of additional capital, by the Sugar-planter or manufacturer, which he may deem foreign to his present business, but manufacturers now-a-days make their profits mainly by utilizing by-products.

A familiar instance of this may be cited in the Chemical trade; the muriatic acid produced in the manufacture of soda, formerly run to waste, being now employed for making bleaching powder; and, still more recently, the by-products annaline, anthracene, ammonia, &c., which formerly created a nuisance wherever Gas-Works existed, now constitute a large portion of their profits.

"Bamboo," the other Raw Material to which I have alluded, can hardly be called "New," it being well known that both the Chinese and Japanese have from time immemorial employed "Bamboo" for Paper-making purposes; and I have shown in the preceding "Remarks" that attempts have more recently been made, not hitherto affording successful commercial results.

It therefore would have been more correct had I, in directing attention to "Bamboo," described it as an "Old material" under "New treatment." Such indeed was the case with "Esparto," an "Old material," well known, and tried ineffectually by many, previous to my process for converting it into paper being adopted, which, however, did not take place until it had been fully tested and approved, leading then to its speedy employment.

I believe with my new system of treatment "Bamboo" will prove to be as superior to "Esparto," in every respect as "Esparto" was found to be superior to "Straw," the only other "raw material" used when it was introduced.

"Bamboo" differs from "Megasse," inasmuch as the latter is produced, as it were, involuntarily, its maximum value as a "raw product" being determined by its comparison with fuel; whereas "Bamboo" would have to be cultivated; but, as this plant will not only grow, but flourish, in localities unsuitable for other cultivation, and is produced with such extraordinary rapidity and abundance, it would appear that, as a Raw Product, it would not cost much, if any, more than "Megasse."

It is hardly my province to discuss here to which of the two materials, "Megasse" or "Bamboo," the preference should be given. Suffice it to say that, with "the admitted fact" of the increasing scarcity of Raw Material for Paper-making, there is ample scope for both. I have only to add that I shall be happy to advise with parties who may desire to interest themselves in either question.