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• Multidisciplinary evaluation of three novel perennial crops as feedstock for the pulp and paper industry. • Meadow hay blends generated higher tensile indices compared to the pure birch control. • Fibre lengths of 0.5 (meadow hay), 1.3 (Virginia mallow), and 0.9 mm (cup plant) were measured. • The fibre widths of cup plant and Virginia mallow are broader compared to hardwoods. • These promising raw materials will be valueable in cardboard production for sustainable packaging. While the demand for paper and packaging material is increasing, industry and consumers are searching for more sustainable raw materials. This study evaluates three non-wood perennials to find alternative raw materials for the paper and pulp industry. Meadow hay, cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) and Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby) are attracting attention as potential raw materials for the bioeconomy due to biodiversity benefits, low fertilizer requirements as well as high yields. For the first time a detailed view on their fibre morphology and use as paper feedstock is given. After three different mechanical grinding methods, the plant material was screened, pulped in NaOH and beaten in a PFI mill. Birch fibre has been chosen as short-fibre control and blend base. Hand-sheets with different pulp blends of birch and one of the three raw materials were made, and paper properties were measured. For meadow hay, Virginia mallow and cup plant fibre lengths of 0.5, 1.3, and 0.9 mm were measured. Therefore, all perennial plant materials have comparable fibre lengths to hardwoods. Meadow hay blends with birch pulp percentages of 50 % and 75 % generated higher paper strength compared to the pure birch paper at a beating intensity of 5000 revolutions (PFI). The paper strength of cup plant and Virginia mallow blends is comparable to the strength of the birch control. Due to these promising results, all analyzed raw materials could find their application, especially in the growing area of sustainable packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current global temperature increases resulting from human activity threaten many ecosystems and societies, and have led to international and national policy commitments that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bioenergy crops provide one means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy production and two novel crops that could be used for this purpose are Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby and Silphium perfoliatum L. This research examined the existing scientific literature available on both crops through a systematic review. The data were collated according to the agronomy, uses, and environmental benefits of each crop. Possible challenges were associated with high initial planting costs, low yields in low rainfall areas, and for Sida hermaphrodita, vulnerability to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. However, under appropriate environmental conditions, both crops were found to provide large yields over sustained periods of time with relatively low levels of management and could be used to produce large energy surpluses, either through direct combustion or biogas production. Other potential uses included fodder, fibre, and pharmaceutical uses. Environmental benefits included the potential for phytoremediation, and improvements to soil health, biodiversity, and pollination. The review also demonstrated that environmental benefits, such as pollination, soil health, and water quality benefits could be obtained from the use of Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum relative to existing bioenergy crops such as maize, whilst at the same time reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. Future research should examine the long-term implications of using Sida hermaphrodita and Silphium perfoliatum as well as improve knowledge on how to integrate them successfully within existing farming systems and supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]