Research Paper
Management and Economics wood
Hamidreza Talaie; Shahab Bayatzadeh
Abstract
Background and Objective: The wood industry in Iran is one of the key industries with high potential for producing products such as furniture and interior decoration. However, this industry faces challenges such as traditional structures, lack of modern skills, and limited use of digital technologies, ...
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Background and Objective: The wood industry in Iran is one of the key industries with high potential for producing products such as furniture and interior decoration. However, this industry faces challenges such as traditional structures, lack of modern skills, and limited use of digital technologies, which hinder its competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. Agile thinking, as a strategic approach, can address these issues by enhancing flexibility, quick response capabilities, and continuous learning, paving the way for sustainable growth. This research aims to identify and rank the characteristics of agile thinking and introduce and localize the necessary tools for successful agility implementation in Iran’s furniture and wood decoration industry. The significance of this topic lies in improving competitiveness, reducing costs, and adapting to environmental and market changes.Materials and Methods: This descriptive-survey research, with an analytical approach and practical results, utilizes the fuzzy Delphi and fuzzy Fuzzy Order of Comparison (FOC) methods to identify and weigh the factors of agile thinking. In the first step, 17 main factors were identified through a review of literature and previous studies. These factors included characteristics such as flexibility, continuous learning, failure management, and continuous improvement. Then, using a fuzzy Delphi questionnaire, which was provided to 10 experts in the wood and furniture industry, the factors were confirmed and prioritized. In the fuzzy Delphi process, linguistic terms and triangular fuzzy numbers were used to analyze the data, and after two rounds, 12 factors were finally confirmed. In the next step, the fuzzy FOC method was employed to weigh these factors. This method, using fuzzy pairwise comparisons and analysis of defined constraints in the model, calculated the final weights of the factors. All calculations were performed using LINGO 18 software.Results: Flexibility, with a weight of 33.5%, was identified as the most important factor. This factor includes sub-factors such as open-mindedness, adequate information, and adaptability to changes, which play a vital role in responding quickly to environmental changes. Failure management, with a weight of 32.8%, was also a prominent factor and includes components such as accepting failure and constructive criticism, which help in learning from past experiences. Learning new skills (18.2%) focusing on in-service training, digital infrastructure, and skill development enhances the capabilities of employees and organizations. Continuous improvement (15.6%), including time management, strengthening accountability, and creating a trust-based environment, contributes to increasing productivity and quality of organizational processes. Data analysis revealed that flexibility and failure management, especially in dynamic industrial environments like the wood industry, play crucial roles in organizational success. Additionally, employee training and fostering a culture of continuous learning are effective tools for adapting to rapid technological and market changes.Conclusion: The findings suggest that strengthening the agile mindset, including flexibility, continuous learning, and failure management, can enhance agility in Iran’s wood industry and improve its competitiveness in domestic and international markets. These results emphasize the importance of investing in employee training, developing digital infrastructure, and promoting a culture of accepting failure. Moreover, implementing these approaches can improve organizational performance, increase sustainability, and accelerate the transformation of this industry, paving the way for sustainable growth.
Research Paper
Pulp and paper
bardia sodeifi; Seyed Hassan Sharifi
Abstract
Background and objectives: The use of polymers with petroleum derivatives in the packaging industry has caused environmental problems due to their non-biodegradability. Development of active and biodegradable packaging is possible by coating biopolymers on packaging materials. In this research, we tried ...
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Background and objectives: The use of polymers with petroleum derivatives in the packaging industry has caused environmental problems due to their non-biodegradability. Development of active and biodegradable packaging is possible by coating biopolymers on packaging materials. In this research, we tried to use biodegradable materials that are easily decomposed after use in the environment. In this regard, the effect of different treatments with Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh), purified Guar gum (PGG) and Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) on resistance and barrier properties.Methodology: Carboxymethyl chitosan powder and purified Guar gum were dissolved separately in distilled water along with glycerol (40% by weight of biopolymers) as softener. Then the bio composite solutions were heated on a magnetic stirrer for 120 and 90 minutes until the biopolymers were completely dissolved. At the end, they were kept in a static state for 30 minutes to cool down and remove the air bubbles completely. Also, Nanocrystal cellulose suspension (3, 6 and 9% compared to biopolymers) prepared by dissolving in distilled water by ultrasonic device for 3 minutes was added to bio composite solution with mixed ratios (30:70, 50:50 and 70:30) was added and the final suspension was heated on a magnetic stirrer for 120 minutes and it was completely dissolved. Then, in order to cool down and remove the air bubbles completely, it was put in a static state for 30 minutes. At the end, we centrifuged it and let it stand still for 2 minutes to completely remove the air bubbles. Finally, 25 grams of gel was poured into a polystyrene petri dish with a diameter of 10 cm and the petri dishes were placed in an oven at 50 °C for 24 hours. Also, the morphological tests of Carboxymethyl chitosan and bio Nano composite films and the resistance and barrier characteristics of the treatments were studied.Results: The results of measuring the resistance characteristics of biopolymer films showed that with the increase of Nanocrystal cellulose up to the level of 6%, the tensile strength of the treatments increased significantly, and the highest amount was related to the films CMCh/PGG/NCC (50/50/6%). is Also, with the increase of cellulose Nanocrystals up to the level of 9% due to the accumulation of Nanocrystal particles in one area, the tensile strength of bio nano composites decreased. Also, due to the origin of its crystallinity, cellulose Nanocrystals led to the brittleness and reduced flexibility of the treatments to reduce the Elongation at break of bio nano composite films. The solubility of bio composite films has decreased by adding NCC to the biopolymer matrix due to the establishment of hydrogen interactions between the components of this matrix with nanoparticles at different levels, and the lowest water Solubility is related to the films CMCh/PGG/NCC (50/50/6%). The water vapor permeability of the treatments decreased by adding NCC to the CMCh/PGG matrix due to reasons such as the crystalline structure and the hydrophobic nature of cellulose fibers, the reduction of pores and the reduction of the diffusion coefficient of vapor molecules, and the best impermeability was obtained by films CMCh/PGG/NCC (50/50/6%) because of uniform dispersion of nanoparticles.Conclusion: According to the results, by adding cellulose Nanocrystals to the composite suspension; Tensile strength, resistance to water solubility and impermeability to water vapor of the films increased and only their Elongation at break decreased and the best resistance and barrier properties of bio nano composites produced in the presence of 6% Nanocrystalline cellulose were obtained.
Research Paper
Pulp and paper
Arman Sadafi Ardejani; Esmaeil Rasooly Garmaroody; Pyam ghorbannezhad sorkhkolaei
Abstract
سابقه و هدف: الیاف سلولزی به دلیـل داشـتن گروههای اسیدی که در هنگام پخت شـیمیایی و رنگبـری خمیر ایجاد شده است، تا حدودی خاصـیت آنیـونی دارد. این گروههای اسیدی ممکن است ...
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سابقه و هدف: الیاف سلولزی به دلیـل داشـتن گروههای اسیدی که در هنگام پخت شـیمیایی و رنگبـری خمیر ایجاد شده است، تا حدودی خاصـیت آنیـونی دارد. این گروههای اسیدی ممکن است گروههای کربوکسیلیک (COOH) باشد که در مقایسه با گروههای هیدروکسیل موجود بر کربوهیدراتهای مواد لیگنوسلولزی از فعالیت و واکنش پذیری بیشتری برخوردار می باشند. چنانچه اگر بتوان تعداد این گروهها را بر روی سطح الیاف افزایش داد می توان در جهت بهبود مقاومت کاغذهای نهایی اقدام نمود. این تحقیق به منظور اصلاح ویژگیهای خمیرکاغذ کرافت چوکا با استفاده از روش اکسیداسیون اسیدی با کمک ماده شیمیایی پروکسید هیدروژن انجام شد. مواد و روشها: در این تحقیق از خمیرکاغذ کرافت، که از کارخانه چوکا تهیه شده بود، بعنوان ماده اولیه استفاده شد. در این راستا، ابتدا خمیرهای کرافت با استفاده از پروکسید هیدروژن به نسبتهای 1، 3، 5 و 10 درصد در دمای 85 درجه ستنتیگراد، زمان 90 دقیقه، pH=4 و درصد خشکی 5/2 درصد مورد تیمار اکسیداسیون اسیدی قرار گرفتند. در پایان این مرحله، خمیرها با آب مقطر به طور کامل شستشو داده شده و برای مراحل بعدی مورد استفاده قرار گرفتند. سپس ویژگیهای ساختاری الیاف نظیر عدد کاپا، WRV، گروههای کربوکسیل، ویسکوزیته و آنالیز FT-IR مورد ارزیابی قرار گرفته و با نمونه شاهد کرافت کارخانه مقایسه شدند. جهت تجزیه و تحلیل آماری این پژوهش از نرم افزار SPSS استفاده شد و دادهها بصورت طرح کاملاً تصادفی با استفاده از تکنیک تجزیه واریانس مورد تجزیه و تحلیل آماری قرار گرفتند. مقایسه بین نمونهها و تیمارهای مختلف بر اساس گروه بندی میانگینها و به روش آزمون دانکن در سطح اطمینان 5/99 درصد صورت پذیرفت.نتایج: نتایج نشان داد که خمیرکاغذهای اکسید شده تا مصرف 3% پروکسید دارای کمترین کاپا، گروههای کربوکسیل و ویسکوزیته و بیشترین WRV بودهاند. افزایش مصرف پروکسید در غلظت بیشتر از 3% باعث افزایش عدد کاپا، گروههای کربوکسیل و ویسکوزیته گردیده است و در عوض با افت WRV مواجه گردیده اند. این تغییرات توسط ارزیابیهای FT-IR نیز تائید گردید. علت کاهش عدد کاپا تا غلظت 3% بدلیل خروج لیگنین از دیواره الیاف و دلیل افزایش آن در غلظتهای بیشتر از 3% پروکسید، احتمالا به ایجاد گروههای هگزورونیک اسیدی حین عملیات اکسیداسیون بر می گردد که معمولا اندازه گیری کاپا را با خطا مواجه می نمایند. بعلاوه خروج لیگنین باعث بهبود ویژگی WRV الیاف و بیشتر از آن باعث کاهش این ویژگی شده است. محتوای گروهای کربوکسیل برای هر دو شرایط قلیایی و اسیدی، کم و بیش بدون تغییر بنظر می رسند که این موضوع در کربن شماره 6 بیشتر آلدئیدها به گروههای کربوکسیل تبدیل شده ودر کربنهای 2 و 3 اکسیداسیون غالبا باعث تشکیل کتون ها می شود. از طرف دیگر به نظر می رسد که با افزایش گروههای کربوکسیل در تیمارهای بالای 3% منجر به افزایش وزن ملکولی سلولز شده که این امر باعث افزایش ویسکوزیته گردیده است.نتیجه گیری: ارزیابی نتایج نشان داد که اکسیداسیون پروکسید هیدروژن اسیدی باعث اصلاح و بهبود ویژگیهای خمیرکاغذ کرافت گردیده که اثرات آن بر روی ویژگیهای کاغذهای نهایی مثبت پیش بینی می شود. در این ارتباط، تیمارهای 1 و 3 درصد اکسیداسیون اسیدی با پروکسید هیدروژن برای تولید کاغذ مناسبتر به نظر می رسد.
Research Paper
Composite wood products
Morteza Ghanbari; vahid vaziri; farshid faraji; loya jamalirad
Abstract
Background and objective: While wood serves as an excellent renewable building resources, it does have some disadvantages, including its deterioration when exposed to outdoor conditions and its dimensional instability due to fluctuations in relative humidity in the surrounding environment. Heat treatment ...
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Background and objective: While wood serves as an excellent renewable building resources, it does have some disadvantages, including its deterioration when exposed to outdoor conditions and its dimensional instability due to fluctuations in relative humidity in the surrounding environment. Heat treatment can enhance the dimensional stability of panel products, such as particleboard, fiberboard, and OSB. Because during the heat treatment process, numerous chemical transformations take place, including the esterification of hydroxyl groups and the reduction of hemicellulose along with the number of accessible OH groups within the wood. The main objective of this research was to assess the effect of steam pretreatment of garden wood pruning - wood particles on the physical and mechanical properties of particleboard.Materials and methods: Industrial wood particles from Sanate Choube Shomal Company were used. The ratio of wood chips to garden wood pruning was used at level of 70:30. Heat pretreatment was conducted on the wood particles at a temperature of 180 °C with three different retention times (15, 30, and 45 minutes). Urea formaldehyde resin was applied at a 10 percent level based on the dry weight of the raw material as well as ammonium chloride was used as a catalyst at a 2 percent level of the dry weight of the adhesive. After the heat treatment and the mixing processes, the raw materials were formed into a mat at temperature of 160 °C for 5 minutes under a hot press. The physical and mechanical properties were evaluated according to European standards set of EN. The analysis of the Physical and mechanical properties of the panels was performed using variance analysis at a 95% probability level. Results: The results showed that the boards made from treated particles with a 45 minute treatment duration exhibited the highest bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and internal bonding. Since heat treatment softens and ramification of lignin and crystallization of cellulose ratio increases, which improves the strength of the board. . Thickness swelling and water absorption of the boards were significantly improved with increased treatment duration. The main reason for dimensional stability can be attributed reduction of hemicellulose content and hydroxyl groups within the wood component.Conclusion: Based on the finding of this research, heat treatment significantly improved the dimensional stability of the boards. Bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and internal bonding in the treated samples displayed the highest measured values. In comparison to the properties of the boards produced by EN standards, the treated boards at 30 minute and 45 minute duration demonstrated the potential to produce particleboards with desirable attributes suitable for interior fitments board (Type P2) for application in dry conditions.Based on the finding of this research, heat treatment significantly improved the dimensional stability of the boards. Bending strength, modulus of elasticity, and internal bonding in the treated samples displayed the highest measured values. In comparison to the properties of the boards produced by EN standards, the treated boards at 30 minute and 45 minute duration demonstrated the potential to produce particleboards with desirable attributes suitable for interior fitments board (Type P2) for application in dry conditions.
Research Paper
Pulp and paper
Jafar Ebrahimpour Kasmani; Ahmad Samariha
Abstract
Background and objectives: Fruit packaging cardboard protects fruits from impacts, pressure, and damage during transportation, while helping to maintain their freshness and quality. To achieve these objectives, it is essential to enhance the strength of the cardboard and minimize the interaction between ...
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Background and objectives: Fruit packaging cardboard protects fruits from impacts, pressure, and damage during transportation, while helping to maintain their freshness and quality. To achieve these objectives, it is essential to enhance the strength of the cardboard and minimize the interaction between its interior and exterior. At the same time, it must be biodegradable, durable, and environmentally friendly. Kraft paper is recognized as a suitable option for preserving the quality of fruits. Therefore, this research aims to improve the barrier and mechanical properties of cardboard by applying coatings of nano-graphene, fluorine, and zein, both separately and in combination, to provide consumers with higher quality cardboardMethodology: The brown kraft liner paper with a basis weight of 120 grams was obtained from the Mazandaran Wood and Paper Company. The nanographene type AO-4 was sourced from Graphene Supermarket in the USA, zein protein from Sigma Aldrich, and fluorine from Mine Kavaran Production Group. For coating, the nanographene, zein, and fluorine were weighed in specified weight percentages and mixed with 100 grams of distilled water for 30 minutes at 50 degrees Celsius, depending on the treatment conditions. Then, 2.5 grams of styrene-butadiene latex and 0.5 grams of dispersant D200 were added to the mixture and homogenized for 20 minutes at 1500 RPM. A 5% cationic starch solution was also added as a retention aid to enhance the coating. The coating solutions were applied to the paper sheets using an Auto Bar Coater (GBC - A4 GIST Co., Ltd). The physical and mechanical properties were measured according to TAPPI and ISO standards. The experimental design was completely randomized, and data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan's test at a 95% confidence level.Results: The one-way ANOVA analysis indicated that there are significant differences at the 5% level among the thickness, water absorption, and porosity of the 8 types of paper. The greatest thickness was observed in the brown liner paper coated with graphene and fluorine, while the lowest thickness was found in the control sample, with a difference of 27% between the maximum and minimum thickness. The lowest water absorption was noted in the brown liner paper coated with zein, fluorine, and nano-graphene, with a difference of 647.5% between the maximum and minimum water absorption. Additionally, the least porosity was attributed to the paper coated with nano-graphene, showing a difference of 7365.8% between the maximum and minimum porosity. Density analysis revealed that the highest density was observed in the sample coated with zein and nano-graphene, with a difference of 14.5% between the maximum and minimum density. Furthermore, the highest surface smoothness was recorded in the paper coated with nano-graphene and zein, with a difference of 23.9% between the maximum and minimum surface smoothness. For the tensile and tear resistance index, no significant difference was observed at the 5% level, with differences of 15.5% and 26.4% between the maximum and minimum tensile and tear resistance indices, respectively. However, for burst resistance, the lowest value was found in the paper coated with fluorine and zein, with a difference of 14.2% between the maximum and minimum burst resistance. In terms of ring crush test, the highest resistance was related to the paper coated with zein, fluorine, and nano-graphene, with a difference of 16.1% between the maximum and minimum ring crush test.Conclusion: The goal of food packaging is to extend shelf life and protect against spoilage factors. Paper and cardboard, as packaging materials, have specific advantages and disadvantages, including a lack of resistance to moisture. This research addresses the improvement of the physical and mechanical properties of kraft liner paper for fruit packaging and has demonstrated that coating increases thickness and reduces water absorption. These coatings enhance the prevention of water absorption by penetrating the pores of the paper. Various factors affect water permeability, including the paper structure and the type of coating. The use of nano-graphene and zein leads to a reduction in paper porosity and an improvement in its mechanical properties. In this study, coating the paper with nano-graphene and zein significantly increased barrier properties and improved paper quality. Additionally, the results indicate that these compounds can help reduce water absorption and porosity of the paper.
