In this work the effect of different pulping processes (ethyleneglycol, diethyleneglycol, ethanolamine and soda) of tow abounded raw materials (empty fruit bunches - EFB and rice straw) on the ash, silicates and metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni and Cd) content of the obtained pulps have been studied. Results showed that pulps obtained by diethyleneglycol pulping process presented lower metals content (756 mu g/g and 501 mu g/g for EFB and rice straw pulp, respectively) than soda pulps (984 mu g/g and 889 mu g/g). Ethanolamine pulps presented values of holocellulose (74% and 77% for EFB and rice straw pulp, respectively), ot-cellulose (74% and 69%), kappa number (18.7 and 18.5) and viscosity (612 and 906 ml/g) similar to those of soda pulp, and lower lignin contents (11% and 12%). (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.