Where wheat straw, not wood chips, drives sustainable paper production
Not all pulp comes from forests. In Western Canada, we toured a non-wood fiber mill producing paper from agricultural residues—mainly wheat straw. The result? Pulp and paper grades with verified sustainability benefits, regional economic value, and functional parity with traditional kraft.
What Residues Are Used?
This facility uses:
Wheat and barley straw
Collected post-harvest from local farms
Cleaned and chipped using low-dust systems
Pulped in a low-temperature soda-AQ process
No deforestation, and minimal water usage.
Pulp Characteristics
Shorter fiber length = improved formation and print surface
High brightness with no bleaching required
Suitable for tissue, folding carton, and molded fiber products
During our visit, we saw the mill producing 20 lb basis weight paper and 18 pt board for regional packaging clients focused on sustainability.
Buyer Value
Verified non-wood source
Ideal for ESG-forward brands
Meets ASTM D6866 and USDA BioPreferred standards
Supports EPR and compostability mandates
Ask Your Non-Wood Fiber Supplier:
What residue types are used, and how are they processed?
Is the pulp suitable for your application (e.g., strength vs. formation)?
Are LCA or carbon metrics available?
What certifications (FSC, BioPreferred) do you hold?
Pulp Without the Forest Footprint
This facility shows that fiber innovation isn’t just possible—it’s practical. For buyers seeking truly renewable, low-impact inputs, agricultural residue-based paper is the next frontier.
