Title
Impact of paper deinking sludge and glutaraldehyde on some natural fiber composite properties
Authors
MERVE ENGIN and ARIF CAGLAR KONUKCU

Received July 11, 2025
Published Volume 60 Issue 1-2 January-February
Keywords fiberboard, deinking sludge, glutaraldehyde, mechanical

Abstract
This study investigated the effects of incorporating paper deinking sludge (PDS) and glutaraldehyde (GA) as an alternative binder in the production of fiberboard. Four types of fiberboards were manufactured: control boards with urea formaldehyde resin (CUF) and GA resin (CGA), and boards containing 20% (FS20) and 30% (FS30) PDS with GA resin. The mechanical properties (MOR, MOE, IB, and Shore D hardness) of the produced boards were also measured following EN standards. The GA-bonded boards (CGA, FS20, FS30) exhibited lower mechanical performance, but varying flexibility and hardness. The incorporation of PDS improved the mechanical properties compared to the CGA control. The results showed that adding up to 20% PDS content can enhance the mechanical strength of the boards. Additionally, bacterial and fungal growth on the boards was assessed using hygiene test kits. Bacterial and fungal tests revealed that GA resin effectively reduced microorganism viability on the board surfaces compared to the CUF specimen. However, boards with higher PDS content (FS30) showed more microbial growth than those with lower PDS content (FS20). This study demonstrates the potential for utilizing PDS and GA in fiberboard production, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional raw materials and resins.