Cambridge IGCSE

Cambridge O Level

Cambridge Upper Secondary Science Competition

Regional winner

Sugarcane Bagasse Pulping and Art Paper Making

How do bleached and unbleached sugarcane bagasse affect the quality of the
art paper made?

Judge’s overall comment:

In this investigation the group have considered how an agricultural waste product can be more
effectively used to improve sustainability.
The experimental procedure is detailed and well designed, with clear conclusions. The data
analysis could be expanded to relate more closely to the research question.

Investigation

Sugarcane Bagasse Pulping and Art Paper Making

Aim: This study aimed to utilize sugarcane bagasse in making cardboard paper. The quality of
bleached and unbleached cardboard paper will be compared in terms of their tensile strength and its
acceptability (appearance and texture) as art paper.

Objective/World link: The quantity of agricultural waste has been rising rapidly all over the world
and resulted to environmental problems. Therefore, there is a need to embrace proper approaches
to reduce and reuse agricultural waste. Sugarcane Bagasse is one of these wastes which is a by-
product of the sugar industry and is also one kind of papermaking fiber materials, foundation of
paper and pulp industry ((CNBM International pulp and paper). This study aimed to utilize sugarcane
bagasse in making art paper.

Research Question: How do bleached and unbleached sugarcane bagasse affects the quality of the
art paper made?

Judge’s comment:
The research question is clear and concise, dealing with an issue that has both local and global
environmental and economic impact.

Background research
This scientific endeavor was an investigation of the utilization and pulping of sugarcane bagasse in
making art paper. Pulp is made from breaking down the fibrous part of plants, primarily trees, and
refers to the main ingredient in the papermaking process. Pulp is used in consumer products like
paper, paper cups, tissue and cardboard – and in specialty products as diverse as home décor,
shoes and handbags, food casings and filters (1).

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Pulp made from trees (wood fiber) is the most common source of fiber for papermaking. During the
papermaking process, pulp is made from breaking down either wood chips or paper recovered for
recycling. In general, there are two main methods of separating fibers from wood to produce pulp;
one using chemicals and one using mechanical grinding.

Pulp obtained using chemicals results in strong products that are unlikely to discolor. The kraft
pulping process is the most common process used. The process creates a strong fiber where the
active cooking agent is a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. Kraft pulps are usually
broken down into two types; hardwood kraft pulps (made from trees with leaves) and softwood kraft
pulps (made from trees with needles).

Pulp obtained using mechanical grinding has a greater yield than chemical pulping due to a high
residual lignin or glue content left in the pulp following pulping. The downside is paper created from
this pulping process is weaker and discolors easily when exposed to light.

The outcomes of this study will be beneficial to the environment since sugarcane bagasse are being
recycle instead of just burning them. Sugarcane farmers are also encourage to utilize the bagasse
turning these agricultural waste into different cellulosic products.

Hypothesis:
Art paper made from unbleached sugarcane bagasse is stronger than the art paper made from
bleached sugarcane bagasse.

Variables:

Judge’s comment:
The Table shows the research problem is fully addressed. The detailed procedures described
enable an accurate investigation.

Independent Variable Two set-ups were prepared

Bleached and Unbleached Sugarcane Bagasse 1. Bleached (with Hydrogen peroxide)
2. Unbleached (without Hydrogen peroxide)

Dependent Variable The tensile strengths of the sample art paper were
The quality of the bleached and unbleached measured.
sugarcane bagasse art paper in terms of tensile
strength.

Controlled Variable 1. Recycled papers from each class in the

1. Mass of the recycled paper school were gathered and shredded into
2. Type of water used smaller size.
3. Time of soaking the paper 2. 2000 grams of the shredded papers were
4. Time of cooking the sugarcane bagasse placed in plastic container and soaked in 6
5. Mass of Calcium carbonate Liters of tap water for 24 hours.
6. Volume of Hydrogen peroxide used 3. 1000 grams of sugarcane bagasse were
7. Time of bleaching cut into small pieces and washed with tap
8. Rinsing Time water to remove dirt and other debris. After
9. Volume of water used which, the washed sugarcane bagasse
10. Mass of starch used were boiled in 4 Liters of tap water with
11. Drying time dissolved 30 grams of carbonate. Cooking
12. Size and dimensions of the wire mesh the sugarcane bagasse took 2 hours. While

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Uncontrolled Variable
1. Temperature of the surrounding during the as well as the humidity that might have been
drying time
2. Humidity of the surrounding that might
have affected the drying process
Materials & Equipment used
• 2 plastic containers (5 Liters capacity)
• 2 rectangular trays (2 Liters capacity)
• Digital weighing scale
• Pair of scissors
• 2 500mL beakers
• 2 250mL beakers
• Stirring rods
• 2 100mL graduated cylinders
Cambridge Upper Secondary Science Competition - Regional winner
boiling, the sugarcane bagasse were
stirred occasionally.
4. After 2 hours of cooking, the boiled
sugarcane bagasse were strained to
remove excess water and cooled off and
sundried for one day.
5. Two set-ups for the sugarcane bagasse
were prepared separately into two plastic
containers containing 500 grams each.
One set-up is mixed with 300 mL of
Hydrogen peroxide and soaked for 1 hour
stirred as needed for even distribution of
the Hydrogen peroxide into the fibers of the
sugarcane bagasse.
6. After bleaching, the sugarcane bagasse
were rinsed with tap water three times to
remove the traces of Hydrogen peroxide.
While rinsing, the sugarcane bagasse were
also squeezed.
7. In 2 separate containers, the 5000 grams
sugarcane bagasse (bleached and
unbleached) were mixed with 1000 grams
of shredded wet papers, 2 Liters of tap
water and 200 grams of starch.
8. The mixtures were mixed with hands to
distribute evenly the contents of the
mixture.
9. After mixing, each mixtures were place in a
rectangular plastic trays ready for straining.
10. The finest wire mesh was used to strain the
mixture. 10 wire mesh with dimensions of
10 inches by 5 inches were prepared to
strain the mixtures.
11. The strained mixtures were put under the
sun and dried for two days.
12. After drying, the paper made were removed
gently from the wire mesh.
Temperature of the surrounding was not monitored
affected the drying condition.
3
Method

1. Recycled papers from each class in the school were gathered and shredded into smaller
size.
2. 2000 grams of the shredded papers were placed in plastic container and soaked in 6 Liters
of tap water for 24 hours.
3. 1000 grams of sugarcane bagasse were cut into small pieces and washed with tap water to
remove dirt and other debris. After which, the washed sugarcane bagasse were boiled in 4
Liters of tap water with dissolved 30 grams of carbonate. Cooking the sugarcane bagasse
took 2 hours. While boiling, the sugarcane bagasse were stirred occasionally.
4. After 2 hours of cooking, the boiled sugarcane bagasse were strained to remove excess
water and cooled off and sundried for one day.
5. Two set-ups for the sugarcane bagasse were prepared separately into two plastic containers
containing 500 grams each. One set-up is mixed with 300 mL of Hydrogen peroxide and
soaked for 1 hour stirred as needed for even distribution of the Hydrogen peroxide into the
fibers of the sugarcane bagasse.
6. After bleaching, the sugarcane bagasse were rinsed with tap water three times to remove
the traces of Hydrogen peroxide. While rinsing, the sugarcane bagasse were also squeezed.
7. In 2 separate containers, the 5000 grams sugarcane bagasse (bleached and unbleached)
were mixed with 1000 grams of shredded wet papers, 2 Liters of tap water and 200 grams of
starch.
8. The mixtures were mixed with hands to distribute evenly the contents of the mixture.
9. After mixing, each mixtures were place in a rectangular plastic trays ready for straining.
10. The finest wire mesh was used to strain the mixture. 10 wire mesh with dimensions of 10
inches by 5 inches were prepared to strain the mixtures.
11. The strained mixtures were put under the sun and dried for two days.
12. After drying, the paper made were removed gently from the wire mesh.
13. For the tensile strength test, 3 strips of bleached and unbleached papers with a dimensions
of 2 inches width and 5 inches length were prepared.
14. 16. Holes were made on the paper on both sides to hook it on the iron stand and on the set
of weights.
15. The tearing mass of the paper was recorded as tensile strength.
16. Evaluation on the quality of the art paper in terms of appearance and texture were done by
asking 30 randomly chosen Junior High School and Senior High School Students of
Surabaya Cambridge School.
17. Data on the average tensile strength was tabulated.

Judge’s comment:
The planning has resulted in practical work which fully addresses the research problem. Safety
issues are considered. There is no evidence included for improvements to practical work or
sources of error.
The safety procedure is copied from the referenced source. This does not count as plagiarism
because the source is clearly referenced.

Safety Procedure from https://www.msdsonline.com/2015/06/17/hydrogen-peroxide-health-

safety-tips/ (2):
1. When handling moderate-to-high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in the
workplace, ensure eyewash stations and safety showers are accessible, and use
splash goggles, gloves, and an approved vapor respirator.
2. In the event of exposure to hydrogen peroxide, seek medical attention and follow
these first aid guidelines:

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 3. Inhalation—Seek fresh air. If victim’s breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. If
breathing is absent, give artificial respiration and seek medical attention immediately.
4. Eye Contact—Remove contact lenses if present. Immediately flush eyes with plenty
of water for at least 15 minutes, and seek medical attention.
5. Skin Contact—Flush skin with plenty of water and cover irritated skin with an
emollient. Remove contaminated clothing. In case of serious skin exposure, use
disinfectant soap and an anti-bacterial cream and seek medical attention.
6. Ingestion—Do NOT induce vomiting. Loosen tight clothing. Never give anything by
mouth to an unconscious person. Seek medical attention.

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 Data
The tensile strength (g) of the art paper made

REPLICATE MEAN
PRODUCT
1 2 3
BLEACHED SUGARCANE BAGASSE
400 g 300 g 400 g 367 g
ART PAPER
UNBLEACHED SUGARCANE
BAGASSE 350 g 400 g 450 g 400 g
ART PAPER

Judge’s comment:
The results are clearly presented in an appropriate format.

Conclusion
The result of the study showed that art paper made from unbleached sugarcane bagasse is stronger
than the bleached art paper. Bleaching treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has a very made
the fibers brighter. H2O2 as an oxidizing bleaching agent caused discoloration of the sugarcane
bagasse fibers.

Judge’s comment:
The conclusion leads directly from the results.
Interpretation and analysis are brief. Analysis of the conclusion in the context of the research
problem has not been considered.

References
(1) https://www.afandpa.org/our-products/pulp
(2) https://www.msdsonline.com/2015/06/17/hydrogen-peroxide-health-safety-tips/

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