In 1998, Greece imported about 170000 tons of tissue
paper and related products at a cost of about €130 million
(Greek National Statistical Service, 1999). Thus, the objective
of the present study was to examine the suitability of
algal biomass and citrus peels as paper pulp supplements.
This was done by (a) determining chemical constituents
that are of special interest for paper chemistry, namely cellulose,
hemicelluloses, ash and lignin in the above organic
materials, (b) examining the effects of their addition in
small (2.5–10%) proportions on basic paper pulp properties
and (c) assessing the economic potential of adding these
materials to conventional softwood and hardwood pulp
in tissue paper manufacture.