Use of PLA as a paper-reinforcing agent, PaperCon '09 Conference

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Decreasing the basis weight of paper without a reduction in paper strength properties is desired and can be accomplished with use of different dry and wet strength agents. In general, biorenewable starch derivatives represent the most common, and by far the largest amount, of dry strength additives. However, water-soluble starch is not efficient in improving the wet strength of paper and its price may be expected to increase due to an increasing interest for energy production from starch-containing crops. Polyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE-resins) account for about 45% of the total consumption of wet strength agents, even though there is a concern that PAE resins may produce chlorine containing organic compounds and increase environmental problems in paper mills. Environmentally friendly biorenewable agents that provide for an increase in both the wet and dry strength of paper with a favorable cost-performance ratio would be highly desirable.