REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents how bamboo and its benefits can be used as an alternative source
of packaging paper. It also includes the review of related literature and studies that are related to
the subject under study, the synthesis of the reviewed literature, studies, and conceptual
framework. The literature and studies will serve as a backup of additional information from the
viewpoint of similarities and differences relevant to the present study.

Bamboos are a diverse group of mostly evergreen perennial flowering plants that belong
to the subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. The largest members of the grass
family are giant bamboos, such as Dendrocalamus sinicus, which can have individual stalks
(culms) up to 46 meters (151 feet) long, up to 36 centimeters (14 inches) thick, and up to 450
kilograms (1,000 lb). [6] The internodes of bamboos can also be very long. The internodes of
Kinabaluchloa wrayi can reach a length of 2.5 meters (8 feet). (Wikipedia contributors, 2024b)

Sustainability

Ghana's forest reserves, bamboo's evolution is viewed as a substitute plant for

preventing tropical deforestation. Due to the present climate change, the global tropical forest
has faced many difficulties in recent years, leading to both environmental and economic
problems. The United Nations has called on countries to encourage a green environment in order
to assist lower carbon emissions and tropical deforestation. ( Akwada & Akinlabi, 2019)

Moreover, Giant woody bamboos are already regarded as efficient CO2 absorbers due to
their rapid growth rates. Even greater carbon emissions and long-lasting harvested bamboo
products can further trap carbon. If bamboo goods take the place of carbon-intensive, non-
renewable alternatives, reduction is achievable. Research on woody plants' ability to reduce
carbon emissions and sequester carbon overall Bamboos are spread and dispersed. ( Der Lugt,
Thanglong, & King, 2018)

Furthermore, Plant fibers with a high degree of cellulose and hemicellulose preservation
are referred to as "holocellulose." Using the PAA delignification and paper-making process, a
straightforward and effective method for creating holocellulose papers from bamboo was
created. The input used in the pulp bleaching step can be decreased by using this PAA
delignification procedure. ( Tao et al., 2022)

Bamboo is a form of grass that grows from its roots and has over 1000 types. When cut,
bamboo swiftly regrows; most species mature in three to five years. This remarkable plant is
extremely hardy and can thrive in both tropical and temperate climates without the need of
pesticides or herbicides. ( Econation, 2024)
Properties

Examining how specimen size affects bamboo's mechanical qualities was the aim of this
investigation. Both single bamboo fibers and bundles of bamboo fibers from mechanical and
chemical retting were put to the test. When compared to mechanically retted fibers, the
chemically retted single bamboo fiber had a tensile strength that was 47.6% higher. (Chen et al.,
2015 )

Since, bamboo binderless fiberboards (BBFBs) don't contain formaldehyde glue, which
frequently has negative effects on the environment and human health, their growth has
accelerated. However, the actual applications of the BBFB products are hampered by the
fiberboards' limited form flexibility and immature fabrication method. Here, we suggested
employing water as a "flow agent" and hot pressing to create specially shaped BBFBs. ( Shi et al.,
2023 )

One of the main industries in every nation on the planet is the pulp and paper sector,
which surprisingly contributes to both environmental degradation and health risks in addition to
GDP. Because of its environmentally favorable qualities, paper and paperboard-based materials
are among the oldest and most widely used packaging materials for food items such as milk and
milk-based products, beverages, dry powders, confections, bakery goods, etc. printing inks,
phthalates, surfactants, bleaching agents, hydrocarbons, and other harmful substances.
(Deshwal et al., 2019)

Currently, a number of food and nonfood items are packaged in paper using synthetic
plastics derived from petroleum as a crucial barrier ingredient. In addition to endangering human
and marine health, the extensive use of plastic as a barrier lining is damaging the environment.
Because biobased alternatives have so many benefits, such as structural flexibility, non-toxicity,
biodegradability, and biocompatibility, researchers and food makers are concentrating on them.
(Mujtaba et al., 2022)

Feasibility

The world's second-largest producer of bamboo is India. Bamboo has been considered
as a potential replacement for steel and wood because of the rising reliance on traditional
building materials, which is blamed for environmental deterioration and the depletion of wood
resources. Bamboo is seen as a simple, rapidly growing, and sustainable commercial resource.
(Yadav & Mathur, 2021)

Hence, the global bamboo packaging market size was valued at USD 472.63 million in
2023 and is projected to grow from USD 501.52 million in 2024 to USD 827.15 million by 2032,
exhibiting a CAGR of 6.45% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the bamboo
packaging market with a market share of 38.49% in 2023. The bamboo packaging market refers
to the segment of the packaging industry that utilizes bamboo as the primary raw material for
creating various packaging solutions. (Bamboo Packaging Market Size, Share, Trends | Forecast
[2032], n.d.)

Thus, land degradation is an urgent problem in Ethiopia, affecting more than 85% of its
territory to varying degrees. Bamboo is emerging as an essential tool for soil restoration due to its
resilience in harsh environments, its anti-erosion root system and its rapid growth. Its economic
potential is also significant, with rapid growth cycles and various product applications. (Fuehrer,
2024)

Technology

Pulping refers to the process by which wood or other fibrous raw materials are ground
into a fibrous mass in order to separate the cellulose fibers from the wood by destroying the
intercellular adhesive of the wood's lignin without damaging them so that they can be reformed.
into a sheet of paper in the papermaking process. (Food Science, 2019)

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the potential of bamboo as a vital non-
wood fibrous raw material for pulp, paper and other related industries due to its ability to
preserve forests and promote a sustainable economy. The abundance, renewability, mechanical
strength and other functional characteristics of bamboo make it an attractive and potential
construction biomaterial in the search for sustainable raw materials needed for industrial
development. This study provides an in-depth overview and unique perspective on the
commercial-scale application of bamboo in various sectors, thereby encouraging the use of this
potential material for environmental sustainability and economic growth. (Chaudhary, 2024)

Quality standards refer to sets of guidelines, systems, methods, requirements and

specifications followed by an organization to ensure consistent quality of processes and
products. Mainly prevalent in the manufacturing sector, quality standards are set by industry
regulators to help increase customer satisfaction and maintain compliance. In the world, the ISO
quality standards are the most accepted set of standards applicable to different industries.
(Guevara, 2024)

Community

Bamboo has long been recognized as a tool in the fight against climate change due to its
ability to sequester carbon dioxide. As a fast-growing plant, bamboo absorbs more carbon than
most tree species, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the country's
commitments under the Paris Agreement. Studies show that bamboo captures more than 5 tons
of carbon dioxide per hectare per year. (GOVPH, 2024)

As global awareness of environmental issues continues to grow, consumers and

businesses increasingly recognize the urgent need for more sustainable practices in all aspects
of our lives, including packaging. Sustainable or environmentally friendly packaging aims to
minimize negative environmental impacts by reducing waste, conserving resources and
promoting a circular economy. (BillionBricks, 2024)

Fiber Characteristics

The cell walls of all plants contain cellulose fibers, an organic matter known to chemists
as a linear polysaccharide. It constitutes about a third of the structural material of annual plants
and about half of that of perennial plants. Cellulose fibers are very strong and durable.
(Schreiber, 2024)

Bamboos are fast-growing plants with exceptional physical-mechanical characteristics

that can be attributed mainly to the characteristics and dimensions of their main structural
element: their fibers. This study aims to carry out a dimensional description (length, width, lumen
diameter and wall thickness) and to describe the indices and technical coefficients of the fibers
of the bamboo species present in Brazil, through a bibliographic study . The results showed that
the basal density of the test stem samples of the studied species varied between 0.451 g cm-3
and 0.780 g cm-3, which reveals a high variability between them. (Rusch et al., 2019)

Moreover, bamboos, a group of non-woody grasses, offer great promise for the
lignocellulosic biomass industry due to their very fast growth leading to rapid accumulation of
lignocellulosic biomass, high fiber content, cost low maintenance and the existence of a
genetically diverse pool. Despite this, few large and significant studies have aimed to investigate
the anatomy and biochemistry related to the synthesis of cellulose and lignin in bamboo. In
particular, there is a great lack of knowledge about the variations in the content of cellulose and
lignin that exist at the level of genetic material. (Biswas et al., 2022)