An overview of the research plan is shown in Figure 3. Paper I covers the background in the form of literature review. Paper II focuses on the optimisation of hot water treatment prior to alkaline peroxide bleaching and on the mechanical refining of hot water treated straw. Paper III focuses on the optimisation of alkaline peroxide bleaching and Paper IV focuses on the chemical pre-treatment/storage of wheat straw. Paper V evaluates the obtained results. The materials and methods used in the experiments are described in detail in the Papers; this chapter gives a more general overview of the experimental design
