Maker of toilet tissue, towels using wheat straw as easily renewable fiber source

The maker of Kleenex and Scott brand products is unveiling this month a line of tissues and towels incorporating wheat straw and bamboo.

Kimberly-Clark Professional aims to provide a rapidly renewable source of fiber for its pulp mill and environmentally friendly products aimed at its commercial customers. It also contends that the products containing 20 percent wheat straw will also give farmers a market for the plant residue left after harvest.

The Georgia-based company says use of straw fiber will ease demand for tree fiber and recycled paper.

The company says it is the first time that wheat straw has been used by a major manufacturer on this large a scale in the United States to make bath tissue and paper towels.