Novel Hydrophilic Softeners for Tissue and Towel Applications, 2000 Papermakers Conference Proceedings

Dr. Craig Poffenberger, Ms. Yvonne Deac, Mr. William Zeman--Cationic surfactants, primarily fatty-alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, are extensively used as softener/debonders in the production of premium tissue, paper towels, and fluff pulp. A new generation of wet-end softeners has been developed to overcome many of the performance shortcomings of the commercial products. Test results will demonstrate that the new specialty surfactants exhibit premium water absorbency while enhancing bulk and maintaining softness. The way in which the products are constructed determines the balance of absorbency and softness, which traditionally have been mutually exclusive in fatty-based softeners. The new softener/debonders have also been designed to provide beneficial environmental behavior through incorporation of ester functionalities that undergo facile hydrolyses that leads to improved biodegradation. As these new softener/debonders are solvent-free fluids, are very low odor, are very thermally stable, and are highly substantive to fibers, many of the environmental and safety concerns at the plant site are also circumvented whether the products are added in the wet-end or administered topically.