Fiber reinforced cement boards made from recycled newsprint paper

► Recycled newsprint paper (RNP) fibers had significant effects on the physicomechanical properties of the boards. ► Addition of 5% CaCl2 had the most significant positive effects on all properties of the boards. ► Increase in RNP content had adverse effect on the samples and resulted in lower than expected strength properties. ► The optimum condition was obtained when the RNP and CaCl2 contents were 10% and 5% by weight, respectively.