Due to the global increase in the demand for paper and cardboard, and depletion in some areas of wood resources
(main raw material in the paper industry), it has been necessary to investigate new raw materials to substitute the conventional
ones. In this work, Phragmites australis, commonly known as reed, has been studied. It has been characterized the chemical
composition of the raw material by determining the ash content, α-cellulose, holocellulose, lignin and their extractables in
ethanol, 1% soda and hot water. Subsequently three pulping processes have been conducted, using the “soda method" under
three different operating conditions. The cellulosic pulps and the papersheets made from the pulps were analysed in order to
determine the chemical and physical properties following the relevant TAPPI, UNE and ISO standards. Comparing the results
obtained, it can be possible to conclude that the pulp obtained under the following operating conditions: 175°, 90 minutes and
14% of NaOH, presents the best results