Objective The general objective of the EuroKenaf demonstration project was to evaluate the economic and technical feasibility of using kenaf constituents for industrial applications, through investigation of the complete chain from farm to end product, at semi-industrial scale. To do this, a series of linked activities (seed production, farming, harvesting, transport and storage, separation, pulping, paper-making, board production and new uses) were investigated together with economic studies. As a result, at the end of the project, the viability of kenaf as a component of European agribusiness has been established, although certain processing aspects need to be improved. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), a fibrous plant in the Malvaceae family, has long been used for a variety of purposes (string, sacks, etc.). Recently countries in various parts of the world have been investigating the prospects of using Kenaf as a source of cellulose (for pulp, paper and board). The objective of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of Kenaf cultivation (seed and straw production) in Europe (25 firms in six Member States are participating) and of applications in the non food industries for the various constituents of the stem (long fibre and short fibre) employing various methods to produce cellulose pulp and paper, etc.) or fibre board or particle board. This project is intended to reach conclusions on the optimum uses for this raw material with a view to reducing the EC's heavy deficit in such cellulose-based products. Another objective is to study new uses of other constituents of the Kenaf plant such as the leaves and other molecules offering a high added value, with a view to defining, demonstrating and verifying the form in which these constituents should be used in various industries (chemical, pharmaceuticals, etc.). This three-year project is subdivided into chapters explaining the activities to be carried out at each stage, the members of the Eurokenaf European Economic Interest Grouping which will carry them out and the reasons for the budget appropriations needed to complete the project.Although the technical viability of different types of kenaf production has been demonstrated or refuted during the project, a number of economic aspects still remain to be evaluated in order to decide on promotion of kenaf farming in European countries.The final reports from several Demonstration projects were presented to National Representatives and others at a symposium held in Paris in March 1996. Reports included that from the European Economic Interest Group (EEIG), known as EUROKENAF which was set up with Spanish, Greek, Italian and Portuguese partners to investigate the potential of kenaf as a fibre crop in the European Union. The project covered the whole chain from field to factory. The first objective was to establish and optimise growth procedures in various European locations. The second, which proved more difficult, was to develop cost-effective, technically-sound harvesting and processing methods; a task only recently completed. Once the material is available at a reasonable price, it can be used for pulp, paper and board making. In addition, a number of novel uses as reinforcing fibre were identified. The technical viability of the whole chain has been established. However, economics remain problematic. To improve these requires further improvements between the farm and factory; including cutting, decorticating (fibre separation), storing, transport (bale density) and bark chipping. METHODS To reach this position, a wide range of closely interrelated activities throughout the projected chain of production and use have been investigated in a number of countries. The first stages of activities were centred on agricultural production (seed production as well as raw fibre material for processing). This was followed by a stage intended to transform the raw kenaf material into an industrially usable form, and more specifically to separate the different stem components (long and short fibres, pith). The next step was to review a wide range of applications in terms of industrial production of paper and pulp and wood panels. Novel, or alternative, uses were also investigated. As a result, it is hoped to establish an economic plan that will cover all aspects of the kenaf chain, enabling it to be established as a new European crop. ACTIVITIES Activities included: - the use of different strains of kenaf in order to establish the most appropriate locations, from the point of land and climate, for the production of seed in Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal; establishment of numerous trial plots in the participating countries; - optimisation of cost effectiveness; - separation of the different types of stem fibres; - studies of different pulping and paper processes (including blends with wood pulps covering almost the entire spectrum of paper products); - production of fibreboard or chipboard; - new uses, particularly as components in construction materials based on plaster or cement. HIGHLIGHTS As a substitute, kenaf pulp can be incorporated in paper at up to 25% without diminishing the physical or mechanical characteristics of the paper, while increasing the brightness and bulk index with no significant impact on the running of the paper machines. As a reinforcement fibre, the bark pulp can improve the tear index of paper. The incorporation of a middle filling layer of pulp from the whole stem improved the stiffness and printing properties of the carton for liquid packages, whilst at 25% substitution the same pulp increased the tear strength of packaging (brown) paper. Good newsprint paper was produced with a mix of 75 - 85% kenaf pulp with chemical wood pulp. Bleached pulp was ideal for hygienic uses, reflecting its high fluid retention and resistance to disintegration. However, it has some weakness as a component of writing paper, reflecting the high level of fines. It was found that the incorporation of kenaf fibre was an effective way to enhance the quality of pulp based on recycled fibres. Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugssocial scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureengineering and technologymaterials engineeringwoodworkingagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesforestry Programme(s) FP3-AIR - Specific research and technological development and demonstration programme (EEC) in the field of agriculture and agro-industry, including fisheries, 1990-1994 Topic(s) 500 - Demonstration projects Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme DEM - Demonstration contracts Coordinator GEIE EURO - KENAF Address Rue joseph ii 36-38 1040 Brussels Belgium See on map EU contribution € 0,00 Participants (17) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all A. Biotec Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via matteotti 115 47100 Forlí See on map ATHINA VELISSARIDI & CO-SEEDS Greece EU contribution € 0,00 Address Dentrikis 51 59100 Stayros - veria See on map Associazione Cooperative Agricole Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via classicana 313 48100 Ravenna See on map BALKAN EXPORT Greece EU contribution € 0,00 Address Ionos dragoumi 4 54624 Thessaloniki See on map CELULOSA DE LEVANTE Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Tuset 8 08006 Barcelona See on map FENACAM Portugal EU contribution € 0,00 Address Rua pascoal 49 1100 Lisboa See on map Helioparc Pau Pyrenées France EU contribution € 0,00 Address 2 avenue du président pierre angot 64000 Pau See on map KOMOTINI PAPERMILL - ELINA Greece EU contribution € 0,00 Address Zone industrielle etva 69100 Komotini See on map Kenit Kenaf Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via po 00198 Roma See on map PORTUCEL Portugal EU contribution € 0,00 Address Rua joaquim antonio aguiar 3-5 1100 Lisboa See on map Poligrafico Ipzs Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Piazza verdi 10 00198 Roma See on map Promosagri Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via farentina 106 48100 Ravenna See on map Protab Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via oberdan 106 06012 Città di castello perugia See on map SEDESIA INIA Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Jose abascal 56 28003 Madrid See on map Siva SpA Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via salaria 971 00198 Roma See on map TAFISA Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Calle fernando el santo 20 28010 Madrid See on map TEPRO Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Avda. eduardo dato 22 - bajo 41018 Sevilla See on map