• Review

    Structure–Biodegradability Relationships of Cellulose Derivatives: Molecular Descriptors, Environmental Context, and Endpoint Interpretation
    Soojin Kwon, Dahyun Jeong, MyungSuk Moon, Kyudeok Oh
    Chemical derivatization expands the processability and functionality of cellulose but also alters the molecular and physicochemical features governing its environmental degradation. Reported … + READ MORE
    Chemical derivatization expands the processability and functionality of cellulose but also alters the molecular and physicochemical features governing its environmental degradation. Reported biodegradation behaviors of cellulose derivatives vary widely because substituent chemistry, substitution level and distribution, molecular characteristics, material form, environmental conditions, test configuration, and analytical endpoints differ among studies. This review provides a structure-centered synthesis of cellulose-derivative biodegradation, with emphasis on substituent identity and linkage chemistry, degree of substitution (DS; or molar substitution, MS, where conventionally reported), substitution pattern, molecular weight (MW), and physicochemical accessibility. Evidence from cellulose esters and ethers indicates that increasing substitution level generally slows degradation within a given derivative family, but does not support a universal substitution threshold separating biodegradable from non-biodegradable materials. Average substitution alone also cannot explain differences arising from substituent chemistry, positional distribution, crystallinity, hydration, morphology, and surface functionalization. Environmental conditions, microbial adaptation, and test configuration further influence how these structural constraints are expressed. Importantly, ultimate biodegradation, primary degradation, material disintegration, and abiotic transformation are distinct processes and should not be quantitatively conflated. Overall, cellulose-derivative biodegradation is best understood by considering molecular structure, physicochemical accessibility, and environmental conditions together rather than as independent factors. This perspective supports the design of cellulose derivatives with controlled environmental lifetimes and suggests that predictive approaches should focus on environment-specific degradation trajectories, including lag time, degradation rate, and ultimate extent, rather than universal binary biodegradability classifications. - COLLAPSE
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    30 October 2026

  • Original Paper

    Effect of Fibrillation of Lignin-Containing Fibers on the Reinforcement of Recycled Newspaper Sheets
    Sa Rang Choi, Hyeon Ji Im, Jin Ho Kim, Jung Myoung Lee
    Nanocellulose is an effective reinforcing additive for recycled paper sheets; however, its production requires intensive fibrillation and high energy consumption. In this … + READ MORE
    Nanocellulose is an effective reinforcing additive for recycled paper sheets; however, its production requires intensive fibrillation and high energy consumption. In this study, lignin-containing fibrillated fibers with different fibrillation levels (L-100CSF, L-MFC, and L-CNF) were prepared from softwood Kraft pulp and evaluated as reinforcing additives for recycled newspaper-based paper sheets. Notably, increasing fibrillation reduced the fiber size, while it increased fines content and water retention value. L-CNF exhibited morphological characteristics comparable to those of commercial bleached CNF although bleaching was not applied to L-CNF. All fibrillated fibers improved the mechanical properties of recycled paper sheets compared with the control. Among the lignin-containing fibrillated fibers, L-MFC exhibited the most effective reinforcing, increasing the tensile and compression indices by up to 89% and 104%, respectively. Incorporating fibrillated fibers reduced the Cobb value, indicating improved water resistance. These results suggest that lignin-containing fibrillated fibers can be used as reinforcing additives for recycled paper sheets, with L-MFC exhibiting the most effective performance among the samples. - COLLAPSE
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    30 October 2026

  • Original Paper

    Effect of Lipase and Cutinase Treatment on the Recycling of Rosin-Sized Wallpaper Broke
    Kyoung-Hwa Choi, Kwang-Seob Lee, Jeong-Yong Ryu
    Alum-rosin sizing is commonly used to impart hydrophobicity to wallpaper; however, while recycling wallpaper that is dry and broken, the hydrophobic alum-rosin-sized … + READ MORE
    Alum-rosin sizing is commonly used to impart hydrophobicity to wallpaper; however, while recycling wallpaper that is dry and broken, the hydrophobic alum-rosin-sized components can be deposited in the pressed sections, leading to sheet delamination and picking. In this study, we investigated the use of lipase and cutinase as biocatalysts to selectively degrade the rosin-derived hydrophobic components in dry and broken wallpaper. We evaluated the efficiency of the proposed treatment by measuring the water contact angle of handsheets prepared after the treatment. The results showed that the proposed treatment substantially reduced the hydrophobicity of the fiber surfaces. These findings indicate that the proposed treatment enhances fiber wettability by hydrolyzing the ester-containing rosin components. In particular, lipase was more effective than cutinase, with the most pronounced reduction in hydrophobicity occurring at a lipase (Resinase A2X®) dosage of 0.2% after only 5 min of treatment. Consequently, the proposed treatment provides an environmentally friendly approach to improving the repulpability and potentially mitigating press-picking problems during the recycling of alum-rosin-sized wallpaper. - COLLAPSE
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    30 October 2026

  • Original Paper

    Effect of CNF/Alginate Composition on the Rheological Properties of Spinning Dopes and Mechanical Properties of Ionically Crosslinked Gels and Wet-Spun Filaments
    Garam Park, Sunu Kwon, Yoon-hyuck Choi, Jiyeon Oh, Sangsu Lee, Wanhee Im
    In this study, we investigated the effect of the cellulose nanofibril (CNF)/alginate mixing ratio on the rheological properties of composite spinning dopes … + READ MORE
    In this study, we investigated the effect of the cellulose nanofibril (CNF)/alginate mixing ratio on the rheological properties of composite spinning dopes and the mechanical properties of ionically crosslinked wet gels and dried filaments. CNF and alginate were mixed at solid-based ratios of 8:2, 6:4, 4:6, and 2:8, while maintaining a constant total solids content. All composite spinning dopes exhibited shear-thinning behavior. With increasing CNF content, the elastic behavior became more dominant because of the formation of a physically entangled fibrillar network. When the CNF content was 40% or higher, the storage modulus remained greater than the loss modulus throughout the tested frequency range. The TPA hardness of the divalent-cation-crosslinked wet gels increased with alginate content, indicating greater resistance to compressive deformation. Meanwhile, the tensile strength of the dried composite filaments increased with CNF content. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy images revealed more pronounced fibrillar structures and denser networks in filaments with higher CNF content. The mixing ratio affected the mechanical properties differently before and after drying: alginate predominantly contributed to the compressive resistance of the ionically crosslinked wet gels, whereas CNF enhanced the tensile strength of the dried composite filaments via interfibrillar bonding and network formation. - COLLAPSE
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    30 October 2026

  • Original Paper

    Sprayable Chitin-Reinforced CNF/Carrageenan Edible Coatings for Postharvest Banana Preservation
    Woonyoung Kim, Junhee Ryu, Danbee Lee
    Spray-applied edible coatings require stable dispersion and appropriate rheological properties to ensure uniform application and effective retention of the coating layer. This … + READ MORE
    Spray-applied edible coatings require stable dispersion and appropriate rheological properties to ensure uniform application and effective retention of the coating layer. This study investigated the influence of chitin content on the physicochemical and rheological properties of cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/carrageenan-based edible coatings and their effects on banana storage quality. Coatings were prepared with 0.5 wt% CNF, 0.5 wt% carrageenan, and chitin at concentrations of 0, 0.5, or 1.0 wt%, designated as 0CT, 0.5CT, and 1.0CT, respectively. The coatings were characterized via Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, sedimentation analysis, rheological measurements, and morphological observation. Furthermore, their efficacy in preserving banana quality was assessed over a 12-day storage period. Chitin addition enhanced dispersion stability, significantly reducing the sedimentation index. All coatings exhibited shear-thinning behavior; notably, 0.5CT and 1.0CT showed elastic-dominant viscoelastic behavior across the tested frequency range, indicating improved structural integrity. Scanning electron microscopy revealed coating thicknesses of 2.15, 3.66, and 4.92 µm for 0CT, 0.5CT, and 1.0CT, respectively. After 12 days, the 1.0CT coating significantly decreased total color difference (ΔE) by 32.2% and increased firmness by 26.9% compared to the uncoated bananas. Ultimately, these findings suggest that reinforcing CNF/carrageenan coatings with chitin is a promising strategy for preserving banana quality during postharvest storage. - COLLAPSE
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    30 October 2026

  • Original Paper

    Effects of Paper Materials and Printing Characteristics on Visual–Tactile Perception of Urban Culture: A Case Study of Wuxi Cultural Cards
    Shikuan Sun, Qian Lu, Jiahao Jiang, Ning Zhu, Zongming Zhu, Haixiao Liu
    This study investigates how paper materials and printing characteristics shape the visual–tactile perception and cultural cognition of paper-based urban cultural media, using … + READ MORE
    This study investigates how paper materials and printing characteristics shape the visual–tactile perception and cultural cognition of paper-based urban cultural media, using Wuxi cultural cards as a case study. Five cultural themes were reproduced in a standardized format on six paper stocks, producing 30 experimental samples. Paper properties and print quality were evaluated through objective measurements, while 216 participants completed a visual-only baseline followed 48–72 hours later by a visual–tactile assessment of the full construct set. Cultural-congruence scores were higher in the later visual–tactile stage than in the initial visual-only stage; under the fixed sequence, this stage difference represents the combined change associated with tactile access and re-exposure. Paper stock and cultural theme also showed significant interaction effects across the perceptual and aesthetic measures, indicating that the most technically accurate printing condition was not necessarily the most culturally appropriate. A pooled structural model showed that visual and tactile perception jointly contributed to a three-item aesthetic-experience construct, which subsequently influenced cultural congruence and perceived value. Theme-specific analyses showed that these average pathways coexisted with distinct material preferences across cultural contexts. The findings demonstrate that paper should be treated not merely as a printing substrate but as an active aesthetic and cultural medium in urban communication design. - COLLAPSE
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    30 October 2026

  • Original Paper

    Vapor-Phase Silanization of Cellulose Pulp for Enhanced Moisture Resistance and Mechanical Performance of Recycled Polypropylene Composites
    Wanju Kim, Ranaprathap Katakojwala, Seokjong Byun, Sangjin Lee, Jaeho Ryu
    Cellulose pulp is a promising bio-based reinforcement for recycled polypropylene (R-PP); however, its hydrophilic nature can lead to moisture uptake and poor … + READ MORE
    Cellulose pulp is a promising bio-based reinforcement for recycled polypropylene (R-PP); however, its hydrophilic nature can lead to moisture uptake and poor interfacial compatibility with the hydrophobic polymer matrix. In this study, a solvent-free vapor-phase silanization process using vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) was developed to modify the surface of cellulose pulp without liquid-phase immersion, washing, or solvent-based drying. Surface characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) confirmed the introduction of Si-containing species onto the pulp surface, accompanied by a decrease in the O/C ratio from 0.64 to 0.44. Vapor-phase silanization substantially reduced the initial water-wicking rate by approximately two orders of magnitude and decreased the average water uptake during 7-day immersion from 322% to 32%, demonstrating markedly improved moisture resistance. When incorporated into R-PP at 10 and 20 wt%, the silanized pulp provided higher tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and Izod impact strength than both control R-PP and composites containing untreated pulp. In particular, the composite containing 20 wt% silanized pulp exhibited a tensile strength of 26.6 MPa, flexural strength of 38.4 MPa, flexural modulus of 1.70 GPa, and Izod impact strength of 38.1 J/m. Fracture-surface observations further indicated reduced interfacial separation and matrix adhesion to the pulp fibers, consistent with improved interfacial interactions. These results demonstrate that solvent-free vapor-phase silanization is an effective approach for reducing the moisture sensitivity of cellulose pulp and enhancing its reinforcing performance in recycled polypropylene composites. - COLLAPSE
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    30 October 2026

  • Original Paper

    Effects of Cellulose Microfibers Prepared Using a Micro-Grinder on the Mechanical Properties of Recycled Paper Cup-Based Composite Sheets
    Min Seo Kim, Uk Chang Yang, Hee Yeon Jeong, Ji Young Lee
    This study investigated the reinforcing effects of cellulose microfibers (CMF) prepared using a micro-grinder on handsheets made from recycled paper cup powder … + READ MORE
    This study investigated the reinforcing effects of cellulose microfibers (CMF) prepared using a micro-grinder on handsheets made from recycled paper cup powder and starch, which served as model specimens for wet injection-molded composites. Recycled paper cups were pulverized using a two-stage grinder, and CMF were produced from hardwood bleached kraft pulp via two passes through a micro-grinder. Handsheets with a grammage of 60 ± 5 g/m2 were prepared using 60 wt% recycled paper cup powder and varying amounts of CMF (1, 3, and 5 wt%) as a partial starch replacement. The recycled paper cup powder had an average fiber length and width of 0.44 mm and 25.3 µm, respectively, whereas the CMF prepared using a micro-grinder had an average fiber width of 34.1 nm. The tensile index, elongation at break, and burst index of the handsheets increased with CMF content, reaching maximum valuesat 5 wt%. Specifically, at this level, compared with the control, the tensile index increased from 11.3 to 27.2 N·m/g, the elongation at break from 1.3% to 2.6%, and the burst index from 7.4 to 13.6 kPa·m2/g. These improvements may be attributed to enhanced inter-fiber bonding and the formation of a more inter-connected fiber network. Overall, CMF prepared using a micro-grinder show considerable potential as a reinforcing material for wet injection molding. However, further research is necessary to evaluate their performance under actual processing conditions and in the final wet-injection molded products. - COLLAPSE
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    30 October 2026

  • Original Paper

    Determinants of Domestic Demand for Paper Products: A Panel Error Correction Model Approach

    종이제품별 국내수요의 결정요인 분석: 오차수정모형을 이용하여

    Xian-Zhen Bai, Young-Wan Goo

    백현정, 구영완

    This study examines the long- and short-run determinants of domestic demand for paper products in Korea and their differences across end uses. … + READ MORE
    This study examines the long- and short-run determinants of domestic demand for paper products in Korea and their differences across end uses. Domestic demand is measured as domestic sales plus imports for six paper products, using monthly data from January 2020 to May 2026. A panel autoregressive distributed lag model in error-correction form is estimated, with the pooled mean group or mean group estimator chosen for each product group by the Hausman test. Online shopping is measured as the real transaction value of goods, excluding services. For total paper products, online shopping is positively associated with domestic demand in the long run, whereas the producer price and the exchange rate are negatively associated, and a rapid adjustment toward long-run equilibrium is confirmed. The long-run association with online shopping is strongest for packaging paper and is not observed for printing and information paper, for which no significant adjustment toward equilibrium is found. In the short run, online shopping is positively associated with printing and information paper but not with packaging paper. The long-run online-shopping effect is robust to alternative lag structures, monthly effects, and a COVID-19 dummy, but is conditional on real gross domestic product. - COLLAPSE
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    30 October 2026
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