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New Handbook Assists Paper Mills to Achieve Efficient Operation through Utilization of Process Chemicals

Process Chemicals for Papermaking Now Available From TAPPI Press

Master Papermaking Additives to Gain Competitive Advantage and Better Meet Customers’ Needs

Make Paper Products Stand Out: Strategic Use of Wet End Chemical Additives Now Available From TAPPI Press

Use of enzymes for reduction in refining energy - laboratory

ABSTRACT: We performed laboratory and process-scale studies with mixtures of cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes for reducing the refining/beating energy requirement of different types of pulp. Those included hardwood kraft pulp, long fiber fraction of bamboo pulp, old corrugated containers (OCC), and mixed pulp containing new double-lined kraft cuttings (NDLKC) and long fiber fraction of bamboo pulp. In the laboratory, the refining energies were reduced by 18%-45% for different pulps with these enzymes. The strength properties of pulps were not affected by enzyme treatment. In the process-scale trials, use of one of the enzyme products in the production of high strength extensible sack kraft paper (ESKP) reduced the required refining energy by 25 kWh/metric ton of pulp. It also yielded savIngs in steam consumption per ton of paper of about 20% from various sections of the machine operation. The mill was able to bypass one double disc refiner (DDR) when the furnish was changed to 60%unbleached bamboo kraft pulp (long fraction) and 40% NDLKC for producing normal ESKP. This reduced the energy requirement by about 54 kWh/metric ton of pulp, with an 8% savings in steam consumption per ton of paper. The mill was able to produce high strength paper having high porosity without sacrificing other strength properties. Trials with the same enzyme in a mill producing mainly coated white paper showed a reduction in refining energy of about 70 kWh/metric ton of softwood pulp and 30 kWh/metric ton of hardwood pulp. Steam consumption on the paper machine was reduced by approximately 0.5 ton steam/metric ton of paper. By using enzymes, the mill eliminated a refining bottleneck in its softwood line and increased production by 12%. The strength properties of the pulps were not affected. In a mill producing heavy base papers, enzyme use enabled the mill to bypass one 180 kW triple disc refiner (TDR). Pulp strength and other properties were within the specified limits and comparable to those of the control. All these mills have started using enzyme on regular basis.

Innovative Paper-Based Functional Materials Driving the Sustainable Growth of the Eco-Friendly Paper Industry

Smart vs. Big Data Analysis: How could you get more out of less in board strength modelling?, Smart vs. Big Data Analysis: How could you get more out of less in board strength modelling?Smart vs. Big Data Analysis: How could you get more out of less in bo

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In 1983, James d'A Clark donated his personal library to TAPPI. Combined with the association's existing materials, The James d'A Clark Information Resource Center was established in conjunction with the opening of the new TAPPI Headquarters in Atlanta.

A targeted approach to produce energy-efficient packaging materials from high-yield pulp, TAPPI Journal August 2025

ABSTRACT: Unlike fossil-based plastics, wood-based packaging materials can be produced in an ecofriendly manner using wood chip residuals from sawmills and pulpwood. To produce high-yield pulp like chemithermomechanical pulps (CTMPs) for paperboard and liquid packaging, it is crucial to reduce the electric energy consumption during fiber separation. The ultimate objective is to revolutionize paperboard production by achieving a middle-layer CTMP process that consumes less than 200 kilowatt-hours per metric ton (kWh/t), significantly improving from the current 500•600 kWh/t energy demand. Optimizing the CTMP impregnation process of sodium sulfite (Na2SO3) in wood chips is crucial for achieving uniform softening, ideally at the fiber level. The properties of the fibers are significantly affected by the content of lignin sulfonates within the walls of the fiber and the middle lamellae. In this study, we employed in-house developed X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques, validated by beamline measurements, to map the distribution of sulfonated lignin within fibers. It also seemed possible to enhance the surface area of lignin-rich pulp fibers while losing minimal bulk by refining them with well-optimized low consistency (LC) refining. We aimed to achieve a highly efficient separation of coniferous wood fibers by co-optimizing the sulfonation and the temperature in the preheater and chip refiner. Additionally, we explored how lignin’s softening behavior and potential crosslinking influence subsequent unit operations, including pressing, peroxide bleaching, and drying, following the defibration process. In defibration during chip refining, the maximum softening of wood fibers is preferred to maximize fiber preservation and minimize energy consumption. However, optimizing the stiffness of finished pulp fibers is preferable to reduce bulk loss during paperboard production. It can strive to optimize processes to develop stronger, lighter, and more sustainable composite packaging materials. Reducing environmental impact and electric energy can help create a more sustainable future.

Conversion of paper-grade pulp from rice straw into dissolving pulp, TAPPI Journal June 2025

ABSTRACT: About 1,165 million metric tons of rice straw is generated every year worldwide, which can be a good source for the circular bioeconomy. In this research paper, the paper-grade pulp from rice straw was converted to dissolving-grade pulp by fractionation in a biorefinery initiative. Rice straw was cooked at an optimum condition of 8% potassium hydroxide (KOH) charge for 120 min at 150°C and produced a pulp yield of 47.2% with a kappa number of 18.5. Subsequently, D0(EP)D1 bleaching was carried out for the produced pulp, and the brightness of the pulp reached to 82.4%. From the black liquor, 16.5% of the lignin and 11.9% of the hemicellulose were isolated for producing biobased products and chemicals, and then the spent liquor was used for soil amendment. The bleached pulp was fractionated in a Bauer McNett fiber classifier. The pulp fibers retained on 16-, 30-, and 50-mesh screens were used as a longer fiber fraction pulp, and pulp fibers retained on 100- and 200-mesh screens were used as a shorter fiber pulp. The longer and shorter fiber fraction pulps were analyzed for cellulose, R10, pentosan, and viscosity. The long fiber fraction pulps were characterized by higher cellulose (88.2% vs. 83.1%) and lower pentosan (11.3% vs. 13.0%) content than the shorter fiber fraction pulps. The longer fiber fraction was further treated with cold KOH to remove residual hemicellulose. The KOH extraction reduced pentosan content in pulp to 6.3% and increased á-cellulose content to 91.3%. The short fiber fraction was converted to monomeric sugars using cellulase enzymes with varying reaction time, temperature, and consistency. The efficiency of cellulase activity was assessed through glucose yield and residual dry weight. A temperature of 45°C, 5.0 pH, 5% consistency, and 6 filter paper units/gram (FPU/g) o.d. pulp resulted in maximum sugar conversion of 85.7%.