New enzymatic technology proves effective in unbleached Kraft, 2021 TAPPICon Live (21TAPL)

Packaging production is a complex process aiming at producing paper sheets from fibers with maximum strength at the lowest cost. After pulping, fibers do not present enough bonding strength. Consequently, a mechanical treatment such as refining, is required to increase fiber bonding and develop strength. Refining of pulps is a key step of paper making and relies on mechanical treatment of their water suspensions. Refining increases the fibrillation and surface area of cellulose fibers, which enhance fiber flexibility as well as bonding interactions between the fibers. 

The effect of enzymatic treatment to condition fibers prior to refining is now a proven science; however, it has been used mostly in bleached and recycled fibers. The application of these technologies in unbleached Kraft has been more challenging due interfering substances that come with the fiber and high pH and temperature of the system.   

By using a recently developed novel characterization technique that provided a better understanding of what types of cellulose and hemi cellulose are present on the surface of the unbleached Kraft fibers, we have developed a new enzyme‐based technology that has proven to be very effective in unbleached Kraft. This paper will cover the new technique and present mill case results with this new technology.  

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