All Issue

2026 Vol.58, Issue 2 Preview Page

Original Paper

Evaluation of Papermaking Applicability of Organic Fillers Derived from Pruned Apple and Pear Branches

사과·배 전정 부산물 유래 유기충전제의 제지 적용 가능성 평가

Su Wan Hong1
,
Jin Ho Seo2†
홍 수완1
,
서 진호2†
1Department of Pulp and Paper Engineering, College of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University
2Department of Pulp and Paper Engineering, College of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University
1강원대학교 산림환경과학대학 제지공학과 학생
2강원대학교 산림환경과학대학 제지공학과 교수
†Corresponding Author: E-mail: seojh97@kangown.ac.kr (Address: Department of Pulp and Paper Engineering, College of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea)
30 April 2026. pp. 88-96
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

Substantial amounts of agricultural by-products are generated annually, however, much of this biomass is still disposed of through incineration rather than material valorization. In this study, organic fillers derived from pruned apple and pear branches were produced via a ball-milling process to investigate their feasibility as alternative fillers for papermaking. The resulting spherical organic particles exhibited an average particle size of 9.67 µm, along with higher lignin and extractive contents compared to wood powder, and displayed a negatively charged surface (-13.7 mV). Handsheets containing the organic fillers showed increases of approximately 20% in compressive strength and 18% in bending stiffness under optimized conditions relative to the control. Notably, the combined use of the fillers with a retention aid further enhanced the retention rate of fine particles, leading to a 34% increase in bending stiffness compared with handsheets with 10% filler alone. Overall, these findings demonstrate that fruit-tree pruning residues can be converted into functional organic fillers with promising applicability as sustainable alternatives in papermaking processes.

Keywords
Agricultural byproduct
organic filler
KOCC
mechanical property
retention
References
1

Hubbe, M. A., & Gill, R. A. (2016). Fillers for papermaking: A review of their properties, usage practices, and their mechanistic role. BioResources, 11(1), 2886-2963.

10.15376/biores.11.1.Hubbe
2

Shin, T. G., Kim, C. H., Jung, H. G., Seo, J. M., & Lee, Y. R. (2008). Fundamental study on developing lignocellulosic fillers for papermaking (I). Journal of Korea TAPPI, 40(2), 8-15.

3

Kim, C. H., Lee, J. Y., Lee, Y. R., Jung, H. G., Baek, K. G., Lee, H. J., Kwak, H. J., Kang, H. R., & Kim, S. H. (2009). Fundamental study on developing lignocellulosic fillers for papermaking (II): Effect of lignocellulosic fillers on paper properties. Journal of Korea TAPPI, 41(2), 1-6.

4

Lee, J. Y., Kim, C. H., Choi, J. S., Kim, B. H., Lim, G. B., & Kim, D. M. (2012). Development of new powdered additive and its application for improving the paperboard bulk and reducing drying energy (I): Analysis of chemical and physical properties of brewers grain. Journal of Korea TAPPI, 44(2), 58-66.

10.7584/ktappi.2012.44.2.058
5

Lee, J. Y., Kim, C. H., Kim, S. Y., Kim, B. H., Lim, G. B., & Kim, J. S. (2013). Development of new powdered additive and its application for improving the paperboard bulk and reducing drying energy (II): Surface modification of brewers grain (BG) and oil palm frond (OPF) powders with cationic and oxidized starches. Journal of Korea TAPPI, 45(2), 33-40.

10.7584/ktappi.2013.45.2.033
6

Lee, J. Y., Lim, G. B., Kim, Y. H., Lee, S. R., Kim, M. Y., & Kim, C. H. (2013). Evaluation of the physical properties of organic fillers made from agricultural byproducts. Journal of Korea TAPPI, 45(4), 34-41.

7

Lim, G. B. (2015). Functional evaluation of organic fillers made of agricultural byproducts [Master’s thesis, Gyeongsang National University].

8

Lee, J. Y., Kim, Y. H., Kim, C. H., Sung, Y. J., Wi, S. W., Park, J. H., & Kim, E. H. (2015). Development of new organic filler made from rice husk by paperboard mill trials. Journal of Korea TAPPI, 47(4), 96-101.

10.7584/ktappi.2015.47.4.096
9

Lee, J. Y., Kim, C. H., Kim, E. H., Park, T. W., Cho, H. M., & Sung, Y. J. (2017). Effect of rice husk organic filler and wood powder on the bulk and the drying energy of paperboard. Journal of Korea TAPPI, 49(2), 69-75.

10.7584/JKTAPPI.2017.04.49.2.69
10

Statistics Korea. (2024). 2024 Fall Chinese cabbage, radish, soybean, apple, and pear production survey results. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://kostat.go.kr/board.es?mid=a10301080700&bid=228&act=view&list_no=434453.

11

Park, H. T., & Kim, Y. J. (2008). The break-even analysis and its directions for revitalizing agricultural biomass utilization in Korea. Journal of Rural Development, 31(4), 83-98.

10.36464/JRD.2008.31.4.006
12

Suh, K., Kim, Y., & Park, J. (2023). Analysis of environmental implications and economic feasibility for vitalizing agricultural residues as resources considering waste management cost. Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers, 65(4), 11-23.

10.5389/KSAE.2023.65.4.011
13

Park, J. H., Ok, Y. S., Kim, S. H., Kang, S. W., Cho, J. S., Heo, J. S., Delaune, R. D., & Seo, D. C. (2015). Characteristics of biochars derived from fruit tree pruning wastes and their effects on lead adsorption. Journal of the Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistry, 58, 751-760.

10.1007/s13765-015-0103-1
14

Kazimierski, P., Hercel, P., Suchocki, T., Smoliński, J., Pladzyk, A., Kardaś, D., Łuczak, J., & Januszewicz, K. (2021). Pyrolysis of pruning residues from various types of orchards and pretreatment for energetic use of biochar. Materials, 14(11), 2969.

10.3390/ma1411296934072760PMC8198515
15

Sharma, V., Aggarwal, R., Kumar, D., & Pal, K. (2025). Briquette and biochar production from apple-pruned residue for energy recovery, soil fertility and water purification. Discover Environment, 3, 180.

10.1007/s44274-025-00367-8
16

Smook, A. G. (2002). Handbook for pulp & paper technologists (3rd ed.). Angus Wilde Publications Inc.

17

Lee, J. Y., Kim, C. H., Sung, Y. J., Park, J.-H., & Kim, E. H. (2015). Effect of new organic filler made from oil palm biomass on paperboard properties. Journal of Korea TAPPI, 47(5), 61-67.

10.7584/ktappi.2015.47.5.061
18

Krogerus, B. (1999). Fillers and pigment. In L. Neimo (Ed.), Papermaking chemistry (pp. 117-149). Fapet Oy.

19

Moon, J.-E., Sim, J.-H., Min, K.-E., & Park, J.-M. (2022). Relationship between the general properties and compression strength of commercial linerboard and corrugating medium. Journal of Korea TAPPI, 54(3), 53-62.

10.7584/JKTAPPI.2022.06.54.3.53
20

Wang, X., Li, Y., Deng, Y., Yu, W., Xie, X., & Wang, S. (2016). Contributions of basic chemical components to the mechanical behavior of wood fiber cell walls as evaluated by nanoindentation. BioResources, 11(3), 6026-6039.

10.15376/biores.11.3.6026-6039
21

Yang, K., Chen, J., Fu, Q., Dun, X., & Yao, C. (2020). Preparation of novel amphoteric polyacrylamide and its synergistic retention with cationic polymers. e-Polymers, 20, 162-170.

10.1515/epoly-2020-0026
22

Liu, Q., Lei, Y., Bai, Y., Yang, Y., He, W., & Yao, C. (2018). Optimizing the preparation conditions of amphoteric polyacrylamide as a strength additive for recycled paper. Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal, 33(2), 297-308.

10.1515/npprj-2018-3020
23

Scott, W. E., & Trosset, S. (1989). Properties of Paper: An Introduction. Tappi Press.

Information
  • Publisher :Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국펄프종이공학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Korea TAPPI
  • Journal Title(Ko) :펄프종이기술
  • Volume : 58
  • No :2
  • Pages :88-96
  • Received Date : 2026-03-18
  • Revised Date : 2026-04-13
  • Accepted Date : 2026-04-15
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7584/JKTAPPI.2026.4.58.2.88
Journal Informaiton Journal of Korea TAPPI Journal of Korea TAPPI
Online Submission
  • scopus
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close